Dear Yo! Broker,
I’m supposed to close on my condo sale in two weeks, but my girlfriend told me she won’t move out unless I agree to “share” the proceeds of my sale. Not sure, but I think her sharky girlfriend told her that we’ve been living together long enough that she has “a palimony” claim.
Harry S. Venice
Dear Harry,
You have a problem that’s bigger than real estate. You need to get to a lawyer ASAP.
I assume you saw the item in your sales contract in which you agree to deliver your condo empty. Unfortunately your live-in girlfriend is not obligated to help you out. You may have to file an eviction. Your GF may respond that she’s more than a tenant. It could all take months to resolve.
From a real estate POV, you could ask the buyer for an extension. You could give them money/credit for an extension. You could put a band-aid on your bleeding heart and offer your GF money to move. Ultimately, you can hope that the buyer will go away (cancel) and be happy to get their deposit back.
The good news? The market is strong. With a little patience, you could end up selling your condo for even more money.
Good Luck,
Winston Cenac
Got an unusual real estate question? e-mail it to winston@bulldogrealtors.com.
Winston Cenac is the owner of Bulldog Realtors, a boutique real estate brokerage with 90 agents and offices in Venice, Santa Monica and West Adams.
