Your contract should spell out in specific dates the duration of your working relationship with this agent. If you will be in town for 3 days to look, make it for 3 days, if you like to receive information over a longer period of time and you like the agent and feel comfortable working with him/her, make it for what works for you. When your contract expires, you are free to look on your own, however, any homes that were shown to you during your contract with the "old" agent, should you make an offer and BUY/CLOSE on a property that the "old" agent had shown you during your contract, the "old" agent might/will be entitled to a commission. If you elect to hire another buyerÂs agent and make an offer previously shown to you by the "old" agent, you do not owe a commission to the "old" agent. "Retaining/Holdover" clause or period is one and the same, after the specified time identified, 30/60/90/180 days, you can buy any home previously shown to you by the "old" agent without owing a commission to the "old" agent, when you buy on your own.

Kellyeng, that's so funny that the neighbors would think you could do something about the landscaping! C9pilot, I agree that the sprinkler system map is a great thing to leave. When we sold a house we built we left a copy of the house plans. To give you an update, I haven't heard from the new owners in over two weeks, so I'm hoping I won't. I did talk to the man who did the inspection on their house, and they wrote him a letter asking for $4000 for repairs of things he didn't catch. I can't even imagine what they're talking about. The funniest (or saddest) part is that they never paid him for the inspection. The inspector said it's the most troubling thing that's ever happened in his 18 years of inspections.

Dear all, Here's a copy of email I sent to the three Kids: Dear SS, SD1 and SD2, SS, your father tried phoning this evening, left a message, and turned in for bed before 9pm. He did have an opportunity to speak with SD2 on the phone a bit earlier, and he went to visit with SD1 at (her work) for a couple of hours today. I want you to know that we would really, really enjoy having all three of you here for a few days to spend lots of time with each other and your father. I know you all would like it best if he would come to (SD's hometown) (either with or without me), but he's feeling pretty stressed, and does not want to travel at all right now. He and I had planned to have a couple of days in the motorhome this September. We had talked about it in the late summer, after it was evident that we weren't going to be busy canning our non-existent fruit this year. But now he doesn't want to go anywhere. He seems to forget about the plans we had made -- that's just how things are right now. It's been very confusing to him to have all the conversations with all three of you about how, where, dates, etc., regarding this visit and trying to explain how and why he feels like he does. What he would like best is for all of you to come here and stay in our home or cottage (which we are still keeping vacant until we hear the final plans). Right now he's most comfortable at home, and he can't think of being anywhere else. I think the best thing to do for everyone would be to just try and make this visit as easy as possible, as comfortable as possible for everyone, and just plan on having nice relaxing days "chewing the fat", reminiscing, and hanging out together. Going sightseeing, going on adventures, experiencing new things ... are out of his comfort level. He's unsure on his feet, is afraid of feeling confused, and can't describe how he feels at times. I know that I have many projects I can work on and things I can do on my own, which would afford all of you time to be there to talk, listen, and nap with your father as you see fit! Who knows, you might all enjoy relaxing in one of his two favorite rooms and close your eyes like he does! Maybe there will be a day where your father feels less weak, confused, agitated or stressed and he will feel like riding with me over to SS's town, SD2's town, or SD1's Island -- but that day is sure not now. Since I'm the only one here who can tell you what it's like to no longer have your parents alive, I'll let you know this: It's final. It's nothing you can wish or pray to change. There are no more opportunities to enjoy their presence. There are no more opportunities to say what you wanted to or should have said. And if I had to live with regrets for not doing what I knew I needed to do ... well, it would be unbearable. Please understand that I'm not trying to "guilt" any of you into anything ... I'm just trying to share what I've learned because I've recently experienced losing both of my dear parents. They weren't perfect; my father especially wasn't always easy; and I wasn't always the best daughter. However, next to your father, their wellbeing and happiness were my top priorities. Above all else, you must know that my love, time, energy, and money went to care for them and your father, as it does now for your father alone. I know that I tried to put myself in their shoes and do everything I possibly could for them, just as I would hope that my daughter and granddaughter will do for me someday. So, please do what you can to visit with him sooner rather than later. As we all know, "later" doesn't always arrive. And if you all can't make it here together (with or without your spouses) please know, again, that you are always welcome to come visit on your own. Love, Kathy ...................................... This is the email I received back from SD2: Dad and Kathy, I spoke very briefly to (brother - SS) this morning. He should find out within a couple of days when he has to go to (foreign country for work). I would prefer October 17 as I think it would be better for my work. Our freshmen are arriving tomorrow and school begins September 22. Its always crazy this time of year and I can feel the tension around my office increasing each hour. So IÂm hoping that (brother - SS) will know in two days (by Thursday) if he is available Oct. 17. If he doesnÂt know by then, maybe IÂll need to get bite the bullet and be brave and let (my boss) know IÂm taking Friday, Sept. 26 off (donÂt ask, tell her!!) and weÂll come that weekend. I want to know by Thursday so that I can book at least a one week in advance flight. IÂm leaning towards flying out on Thursday night but that will get me in to Seattle between 10-11 pm then I will need to drive to (your home). If I leave on Friday, half the day is over before I get there. I will be leaving Sunday evening whether we come Sept. 22 or October 17 to get back to work on Monday. IÂm sorry for all the confusion and seemingly indecisiveness. But itÂs just that all of our lives, like everyone elseÂs, is complicated with all 3 of our work schedules. I havenÂt spoken to (SD1) yet but hopefully sheÂs flexible. Love, SD2 ................................................. Here's the email I sent back to all three of them Dear SD2, SD1, and SS, Thank you both for trying to arrange things. SD2 and SS, I am willing to pick you up and take you back to Seattle airport. Your father might be willing to "go for a ride" since he usually reclines his seat and sleeps whenever we travel beyond (our home town) anyway. I'm accustomed to driving to and from the airport, and night driving isn't a concern for me. It's not my favorite thing, of course, but it's not too difficult as long as there's not rain. However, if both of you, SS and SD2, are able to arrange flight times close to each other and you'd like to rent a car that's fine too. I don't know the need for another vehicle while you're all here, but that's up to you, of course. Your father's still in bed, and I'm bringing coffee in to him and we'll sit and enjoy that. I'll let him know of the (still possible) dates. I know he'll feel relieved and happy to know that you'll all three be here. And SD2, the lawyer I worked with for so long (and who is still a good friend and I admire so much) had a lovely sign in his office. About "easier to ask forgiveness than permission". I think you'll find this true with your boss! Of course, we got most of our clients through that same adage ... trying to sort out their "forgiveness" because they hadn't asked "permission", but I don't think (your boss) will sue you about this! ha ha I'll put the cream in his coffee, and go visit with your father right now. Thank you both (and SD1, too) for trying to arrange this visit with your father. Love, Kathy .................................................. NOW, friends on the Stepfamily forum: I thank you for all your ideas, suggestions, comments, and opinions. My husband made his decision and spoke with all the kids about it. They discussed it amongst themselves. I sent emails and they sent emails. Everything is settled and, as you can see, all communications are friendly, proper, and loving. I am certain we will have a nice visit with them ... whether they arrive in a week or so, or later in October after we return from our one flight of the year ... to a grandson's wedding in Santa Barbara. PLEASE LET THIS TOPIC DIE OF NATURAL CAUSES, NOW. I hate to see so many of you going on and on about this. This is NOT what I needed from any of you. I don't think continuing this conversation is beneficial to anyone. I believe we all know where everyone stands now. However, if any of you would like to learn more about Dementia and/or Alzheimer's Disease, I suggest you do some research. I've read a number of comments that led me to believe some of you just don't understand the disease and its symptoms and behaviors. Now, to all, Goodnight! I'm joining my husband in the library where we will watch (undoubtedly) something on The History Channel, because that's one of his favorites! Kathy in Washington P.S. I'll tell you a perk of being married to a man who fought in World War II: learning my history from him! I know more about that war than I ever learned in school. And I have such a great appreciation for what truly was The Greatest Generation! Please ask questions of anyone you know who fought then -- they'd most likely be happy to share their experiences with you.

Thank you everyone. I read your replies last night before going to bed and that was the first time I shed tears over this whole thing. We need to keep our perspective because we don't NEED to sell this house. So all the never ending projects are done and now all we have to do is maintain and enjoy this house. I think we're going to have a party just because. Allison0704 "I can't believe you are selling - saw your post on house thread. I can't believe we are considering moving either." I know, I guess we get the itch on the same schedule! (Allison and I were building our homes at the same time, back in 2006.) lukkiirish "As an ex-realtor, my RE experience has me guessing that this buyer would have been a real PIA anyway." Well, he is a lawyer. ;-) kswl2 "I don't believe home sales are governed by fate, or any kind of divine or otherwise cosmic direction, so the phrase "it wasn't meant to be" is meaningless to me. There is a known cause and effect here, one over which you had no control. It's a shame they backed out, better luck with the next prospect!" I tend to agree with you unless I'm the one on the receiving end of those phrases. They sure mean a lot when I'm down in the dumps! The control part is what we are having a hard time with the most. The buyer relays info to his agent, the agent relays to our agent, then our agent relays to us. There's bound to be a loss of communication down the line. Plus, add in the HOA secretary, HOA president & HOA ACC - lots of people involved and talking to the buyer. Who knows what was really said. MtnRdRedux "LOL, KSWL does not mince words." No she doesn't. That's her best feature! "...useless, self-pitying carrying on and wild, fruitless speculation..." I read this to DH and he wants to know if you were hiding behind a bush in our backyard, while we talked for two hours on our back porch! Wild, fruitless speculation indeed! arkansas_girl "It seems as if, unless these people could find a place that already had the building they need in the back yard, they will not find anything that will give them an approval on a phantom building?" Apparently, they have given up. Their agent said that they have their eye on some commercial property for the workshop and then will buy a house separately. That seems very odd to me. Also seems that their agent might bank a little more if this were the case . . .