Seller Ghosts After Signing

Unfortunately it is not uncommon for a seller to disappear after signing a contract. Although your deal will most commonly die, there are occasionally ways to get things back on track.

Process

  1. Understand more often than not that when a seller signs a contract and then ghosts you, its because they actually wanted to reject you but were to afraid/embarrassed to do so. In these situations getting the deal back on track is very challenging and trying to strong arm the seller will rarely be fruitful and will just make you look like an asshole.
  2. Get the deal into escrow ASAP and have the escrow company send out seller disclosure documents either digitally or via USPS. Sometimes the act of getting the escrow company involved can reignite the seller.
  3. Work to discover if the seller is actually ghosting you or if there is a problem.
    1. Change your outbound phone number for calling and texting
    2. Send them emails.
    3. Have the escrow company reach out
    4. Ask the neighbors or any friends of the seller if they have seen them
    5. Knock on the door
  4. Continue to work through the transaction as if the seller is participating. It is not uncommon for the seller to come back around at the last minute.
  5. If you get to right before closing and have not heard from the seller, try sending this text as a last grasp.
    1. Hey “seller name”, we are all ready to close tomorrow on “property address”. Did you need a ride to closing or did you want us to send a mobile notary?
    2. Although this is likely a false statement as the seller has been ghosting you, this can regularly get a quick response from the seller.
  6. At this point, if the seller has reengaged work to determine why they quit communicating and set up a plan to alleviate whatever concerns or issues they had. Move to closing as normal and repeat the above as needed.
  7. If all of the above has taken place and you were never able to find or reengage the seller, unfortunately the deal is currently dead. Keep them on long nurture/warm lead follow up.