MetroBoston Publication Date February 20, 2013
By Attorney George Warshaw
Ms. M, a nice young girl, found an affordable South End Condo. It was her first real estate purchase. Mom even liked it.
Her offer was accepted and she paid a $1,000 deposit. .
The offer contained the usual mortgage clause. She had to submit a written application for a loan by a certain date. If after making a diligent effort she didn’t get a commitment for financing by a later date she could cancel and get her money back.
Ms. M called a mortgage broker who gave her bad news. The condo didn’t qualify under Fannie Mae guidelines. A minimum percentage of condos had to sold or under agreement to owner-occupants. Since hers was the very first sale in a new development, the building didn’t qualify.
Ms. M asked for her deposit back. The seller refused claiming “a phone call was not enough.”
The offer required she submit a written application for a mortgage and make a diligent effort to obtain a loan. She never submitted a written application and never called any banks that might possibly give her a loan.
Is Ms. M entitled to her money back?
No, the court ruled. A phone call is not a written application and a diligent effort requires more than a phone call. © 2013 George Warshaw.
George Warshaw is a well-known attorney and author. He represents buyers and sellers of homes and condos in Massachusetts, and prepares wills, trusts, and estate plans. George welcomes new clients and questions. Contact him at metro@warshawlaw.com.
If you missed my column in the Wednesday Boston®Metro newspaper you can read it here! And contact me if you need help in buying or selling your home or in planning your will. - George
George in the Metro 
Leave a Reply