Your buyer can't close.
We will.
FirmClose guarantees your real estate closing date. If your buyer defaults, we step in as the buyer at the contract price. No fees out of pocket, just one more closing cost for total peace of mind.
The Problem
A failed closing doesn't just delay your sale.
It can unravel your entire plan.
Relisting costs and time
Back on market. New showings. New negotiations. 30 to 90 days lost while you keep paying the mortgage, taxes, and insurance.
Chain collapse
If you're selling and buying simultaneously, your buyer's default can cause you to default on your own purchase — losing your deposit and your next home.
Carrying costs pile up
Mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance — every month your property doesn't sell is money out the door.
Legal uncertainty
Pursuing a defaulting buyer for breach of contract is expensive, slow, and uncertain. Earnest money rarely covers your actual losses.
The double-end chain is the kill shot
When you're selling one property and buying another, the closing dates are chained together. If your buyer defaults, you can't fund your purchase. You breach your own agreement. You lose your deposit. You lose your next home. You're stuck with two potential lawsuits — one as plaintiff, one as defendant. For these sellers, a guaranteed closing date isn't a nice-to-have. It's existential.
How It Works
Four steps to a guaranteed close
You get an offer
You accept a buyer's offer on your property. Your real estate lawyer is handling the closing.
Add the closing guarantee
Your lawyer attaches a FirmClose fallback sale contract alongside the purchase agreement. It's handled as a standard lawyer's disbursement — you pay nothing out of pocket.
Your buyer closes — or we do
If the buyer closes normally, the FirmClose fee is paid from closing proceeds as a standard line item. If the buyer defaults, FirmClose steps in as the buyer at the contract price. Either way, you're done.
You get paid either way
Your sale closes on schedule. Our fee comes out of proceeds — never your pocket. Your chain is preserved, your next purchase goes through, no relisting, no delays.
Not Insurance
An fallback sale contract, not a policy
FirmClose writes an fallback sale contract on your property — a contractual right to purchase if your buyer defaults. This is standard real estate law, not an insurance product.
- Typically 1-5% of purchase price
- Rarely covers actual losses
- You still lose months relisting
- No protection for your chain
- Full contract price guaranteed
- Fee paid from closing proceeds — $0 upfront
- Closing date preserved, chain protected
- Breach claim pursued on your behalf
- Only covers lender-caused delays
- Small fixed payout ($5-30k)
- Doesn't cover buyer default
- Not available on all loans
Buyer Extensions
Your buyer needs more time?
That's your seller's problem — not anymore.
Sometimes a buyer's financing is delayed but not dead. They need weeks, not a walkaway. With FirmClose, the seller still closes on time. We take possession on the original date, and then work with the buyer to complete their purchase when their funds come through.
The buyer gets their home. The seller gets their money on schedule. FirmClose covers the carrying costs during the gap and deducts them when the buyer completes.
How a buyer extension works
Seller closes on time
FirmClose purchases the property at the contract price on the original closing date. The seller is paid in full.
Buyer gets an extension
FirmClose holds the property and works with the buyer to close when their financing comes through.
Buyer completes the purchase
The buyer purchases the property from FirmClose at the original contract price, minus carrying costs incurred during the extension period.
Pricing
Nothing out of pocket. Ever.
The FirmClose fee is usually less than a quarter percent of the sale price, paid from closing proceeds as a standard lawyer's disbursement. You never write a cheque.
For Professionals
A new revenue stream for everyone in the deal
Real Estate Lawyers
You already draft the purchase agreement. The FirmClose fallback sale contract is a companion document — natural to attach. You get paid to draft it, close it, and pursue the breach claim if exercised.
- Draft the fallback sale contract (billable)
- Close the deal either way (billable)
- Pursue breach claim if contract exercised (retainer)
- Three revenue events from one relationship
Real Estate Agents
Offer your sellers a guaranteed closing date. Protect your commission on both sides of the chain. Differentiate your listing pitch from every other agent.
- Referral fee on every contract written
- Protect your commission
- Stronger listing pitch
- Client retention through certainty
Mortgage Brokers
You have early signal on buyer fragility — shaky pre-approvals, high DTI, employment changes. Flag the risk and de-risk your client's purchase on the other side.
- Referral fee for flagging opportunities
- De-risk your client's chain
- Strengthen your advisory role
- More closings = more funded loans
FAQ
Common questions
Protect your closing date
Whether you're a seller looking for certainty, or a professional who wants to offer closing guarantees to your clients — let's talk.
We'll respond within one business day.