Buying a house is expensive, and moving trucks, packing supplies, and storage fees can add up quickly. But one homebuyer’s attempt to save $160 has left the seller wondering whether to agree to an unusual request.
With just two days remaining before closing, the buyer asked to store some belongings in the property’s garage and shed. The seller wasn’t comfortable with the arrangement, especially since the sale hadn’t been finalized.
The situation has since sparked a discussion about whether helping a buyer out is worth the potential headaches.
The buyer wanted to avoid paying $160 for storage
The Pennsylvania homeowner shared the situation on Reddit, explaining that they were in the final stages of selling their house.
According to the seller, the buyer wanted permission to move some belongings into the garage and shed two days before settlement. The buyer reportedly said money was tight and they couldn’t afford $160 a month to store items at a facility just four minutes away.
The seller wasn’t convinced, especially since the buyer was also selling another property for $55,000 more than the new home’s purchase price.
The seller also described the buying process as frustrating, saying the buyer had already requested credits and that communication with the buyer’s real estate agent had been slow.
Now, with closing just days away, the couple was being asked to accommodate another request.
The seller’s wife worried about what could go wrong
The couple’s real estate agent explained that they could sign a document allowing the buyer to store belongings on the property before closing.
However, the seller’s wife wasn’t comfortable with the idea.
Her biggest concern was what might happen if the buyer’s belongings were damaged, stolen, or went missing while still on their property. The shed didn’t even have a lock, making the arrangement feel even riskier.
The seller shared those concerns and questioned why they should take on additional responsibility when the buyer would officially take possession in just two days.
Even with a written agreement, they weren’t convinced it was worth the trouble.
Related: 14 Things Home Buyers Secretly Dislike About Your Home
Most people thought the seller should say no
Responses overwhelmingly opposed letting the buyer move anything onto the property before closing.
One commenter pointed out that the seller would be taking on unnecessary risk without receiving anything in return.
Others raised concerns about what could happen if the closing was delayed or the sale fell through altogether. In that situation, the seller could be left dealing with someone else’s belongings on a property they still owned.
Several people also questioned why the buyer’s storage problem should become the seller’s responsibility.
One commenter suggested that if the $160 expense was the only obstacle, the real estate agents could help arrange storage rather than asking the homeowner to take on the risk.
Not everyone thought the request was unreasonable
A few commenters saw the situation differently.
Some suggested the buyer might simply be trying to avoid moving the same belongings twice within a couple of days. Others shared experiences where sellers allowed limited early storage without any problems.
One person argued that a well-written pre-closing storage agreement could address many concerns, provided both parties understood the terms.
Still, allowing early storage isn’t quite the same as handing over the keys after closing. You’d need to address questions about access, insurance, responsibility for damaged belongings, and what happens if the transaction doesn’t close.
Legal implications can also depend on state law and the specific agreement, so discuss them with a qualified real estate attorney before agreeing.
Is saving $160 worth the potential trouble?
For the buyer, storing a few things early could make moving easier and avoid an extra expense.
But from the seller’s perspective, there’s little benefit to allowing someone else’s property into the house before the transaction is complete.
