Talking Realty
Talking Realty
Glen Whitten
Should You Give Buyers the Keys Before Closing? Risks Every Seller Should Know | Episode 81
23 minutes Posted Mar 25, 2026 at 1:00 pm.
Early Possession Warning
Buyer Wants Garage Access
Storage Pods Case Study
Why Deals Fall Apart
Damage and Insurance Risks
Utilities and Liability Mess
Best Answer No Keys
If You Really Must Allow Early Posession
Attorney Agreement and Rent
Limit Access and Recap
Final Takeaway: No Keys, No Posession
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Show notes
If a buyer asks for the keys before closing… what would you do?
https://youtu.be/xoqMr2m4UB8
It sounds harmless. Maybe they just want to store a few things or move in early. But in real estate, this is called early possession, and it can create serious legal, financial, and insurance risks for sellers.
In this episode of Talking Realty, Glen breaks down:
Why buyers ask for possession before closing
What can go wrong (including real stories)
How deals can fall apart after early possession
The risks of letting buyers move in early
What to say when buyers ask for access
How to protect yourself if you absolutely have to allow it
With nearly 3,000 home sales under our belt, we’ve seen how quickly this situation can turn from a small favor into a major problem.
Bottom line: No closing = No keys.
If you’re selling your home and want to avoid costly mistakes, this is a must-watch. If you’re thinking about listing or you’ve been selling on your own and have questions, book a free no-obligation call where we can discuss your selling goals and how to reach them.
Key Moments:
Key Resources:
Book Your Free Pre-Selling Strategy Call
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Contact Information:
Podcast Website: TalkingRealty.com
Ohio Property Group: OhioMLSFlatFee.com
Email: [email protected]
Book Your Free Pre-Selling Strategy Call
Associates Title Website
Ryan Phillips / Associates Title: 614 419 2418
Download the Ultimate Home Selling Toolkit
Glen’s Blog
Book: “You Can Sell It” by Glen Whitten
Course: “Living To Listing” Complete Listing Prep
@OhioMLSFlatFee  
@ohmlsflatfee  
Ohio MLS Flat Fee
OhioMLSFlatFee
@ohiomlsflatfee