'No, get them out!': Shady realtor gives the keys to his clients and they move into someone else's house before closing the deal, homeowner snaps

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Oct 17, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

This homeowner was appalled when he discovered that strangers had moved into his house while it was still on the market, audaciously moving their stuff into the home before ever closing a deal. Who could be to blame? 

Realtors. 

You've met your fair share. Realtors encompass the weirdest corners of your Facebook feed and are impossible to avoid. Every stay-at-home mom whose kids are grown gets their realtor's license, joining frothing young salesmen in their 20s eager to join the real estate pyramid scheme alongside overly tan, white-haired snake oil salesmen who got lucky buying a beachside shack in the 1980s for $25,000 and a firm handshake. Although the entire industry is flawed, realtors represent a strangely useless cross-section of humanity, glorified and glamorized as if Sheila from the bus stop advertisement is a luxurious home broker on Selling Sunset. Not all realtors are inherently bad people, but the guy in this next story certainly put to shame an already arbitrated job, when he broke the trust of a homeowner trying to sell their house. 

Audaciously, this realtor gave away the keys to the house, allowing his 'buyers' to move in before ever closing a deal. Keep scrolling for the shocking turn of events where a realtor turned his buyers into trespassers overnight.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10417107456
    via AndreyPopov - Getty Images via Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    Buyers moved in before closing Homeseller To my chagrin, without my consent, and before proper documents are signed, the buyers agent let the buyers move in. We haven't closed.
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 03
    I'm appalled at how unethical it feels to find out after the fact. So my only choices are to sign an additional document allowing them to stay prior to closing, or have them escorted off the property? This is out of my scope. Looking for insight. I have a lawyer on standby Monday morning.
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 04
    Edit: I truly appreciate the advice and insight. Added details - due to human error delays from the lender, title and agents, this closing has already been pushed 4 times. Closing was supposed to be on the 30th. I am told every third business day that today's
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 05
    the day, just waiting on the documents. Again, closing was supposed to be yesterday. Find out docs have just (11 days late) been released from the bank and now in hands of the title. At 4:30pm on Friday we're delayed until next week due to
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 06
    not enough time for the title to flip the closing docs fast enough. Last night, find out the buyers fully moved in without any agents approaching me about this idea even once. Never once was this brought up. I said no, get them out of the house. They're still in the house.
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 07
    About the broker. I've been told this entire process that the broker is highly involved, since their brokerage is working for both parties. Every time I have a legal question my agent checks with the broker to make sure the correct information is provided. I
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 08
    acknowledge in hindsight I should've called the broker immediately. I will be calling the broker tomorrow morning. How'd they get the keys- it's a key code. Only explanation is the agent gave it to them.
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 09
    One more detail as I sit here bamboozled. My selling agent's license is active. The buyer agent's license expired in August. Discovery made an hour ago. Not sure what to do with that.
    via WorldlyBlacksmith682
  • 10
    Pizzawinedogs This is a huge deal. When I sold my house, I found out a few days before closing that the buyer had moved furniture into my garage. Apparently her agent had given her the garage remote. My agent and we ended up raised
    via Pizzawinedogs
  • 11
    getting money back from the buyer's agent's commission - he could have lost his license if we'd pursued it. If they have physically moved in, they could damage your house. They need to leave immediately and/or compensate you somehow for the risk they have created.
    via Pizzawinedogs
  • 12
    CollegeConsistent941 Do you have a realtor? If not, let the buyer agent know the daily rental is $500 per day. How did they get keys? If the realtor gave them, let their broker know you will expect them to pay too.
    via CollegeConsistent941
  • 13
    Aardvark-Decent And after you close turn the agent's in to the Board of Realtors, State licensing and any other organization that has authority to fine and take away their ability to work in real estate.
    via Aardvark-Decent
  • 14
    Jenikovista This x100. Especially since now in the edit OP says the broker is representing both parties. Major breach of fiduciary responsibility and security.
    via Jenikovista
  • 15
    Serious-Mountain-131 Do not take any advice to the broker and the realtor bow. Lawyer only. Get them out of your house, drop your realtor and report them to the board. You have squatters in your house get them out now.
    via Serious-Mountain-131
  • 16
    iam Erin iam This should never happen unless you agree to it first. If it were me, I would pull the contract and find new buyers and new realtors. The realtors don't deserve the commission,
    via iam_Erin_iam
  • 17
    let them continue with the sale If they cancel both of their commissions. As far as I am concerned, they are selling your house for free now. The realtors know better than that. Definitely should report the firm, if possible.
    via iam_Erin_iam
  • 18
    the captain slog This happened to us. We had thousands in damages for the two weeks the "buyers" were living in our home unlawfully. Get a lawyer immediately. Ask for advice. If they're able to
    via the_captain_slog
  • 19
    close, it might be cleaner. If they can't, your only priority is getting those people out now. Your lawyer will know how you can legally remove them, but start calling movers and see who has time in the schedule to show up.
    via the_captain_slog

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