Any recommendations on how to deal with discrepancies on the listing advertisement & seller's disclosure versus the inspection findings? Can you find out if the remodel work was permitted & inspected? When repairs were requested in the offer by the buyer, the seller provided invoices for work done on the house that doesn't reflect what was found in the inspection. Code violations were noted in the inspection on the air conditioning & hot water heater which were both worked on in the remodel. The listing realtor is well known in BCS and is not responding in inquiries or negotiations . All correspondence is being handled by a Closing Coordinator.
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Buying a remodeled house
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Last: 2 yr ago by PeekingDuck
I bought a remodeled house. The seller provided an inspection history that listed every passed and failed inspection.
Are you in the option period? Decide if you want to buy the house or not. Trying to pinch the other side in a "gotcha" moment never works and will just result in a bunch of stress and angst for you.
I only know of one local realtor who is that ****ty/shady. I always try to steer people away from her.
We recently facilitated buying a house for my MIL here locally. The house was built in 91, and had several updates and repairs made before we offered. When we put an offer in, we were given a binder with all repairs and updates that included all permits, receipts, company names, and inspections on those items both before and after they were repaired. We also had an independent inspection done.
Don't know what to say other than I hop you are still in the option period.
We recently facilitated buying a house for my MIL here locally. The house was built in 91, and had several updates and repairs made before we offered. When we put an offer in, we were given a binder with all repairs and updates that included all permits, receipts, company names, and inspections on those items both before and after they were repaired. We also had an independent inspection done.
Don't know what to say other than I hop you are still in the option period.
Yes, still in the option period. Advertised as completely remodeled and provided a clean sellers disclosure. The inspection noted work needing to be repaired to meet code. Now the questions are not being answered.
Do you have your own realtor? They should be making these calls and able to get through to the realtor/broker.
give us some examples of what isn't "meeting code".
are we talking about "anti-siphon valves" on the dishwasher or stuff that really matters?
The A/C & water heater stuff should be easy enough to have their respective contractors come address.
The repairs that were done should have been done to code, but even a "completely remodeled" home isn't typically going to have every system touched, so you're still going to have things that show up "out of code".
are we talking about "anti-siphon valves" on the dishwasher or stuff that really matters?
The A/C & water heater stuff should be easy enough to have their respective contractors come address.
The repairs that were done should have been done to code, but even a "completely remodeled" home isn't typically going to have every system touched, so you're still going to have things that show up "out of code".
No house is 100% up to code. Just the reality. There are things that are minimum best practice and then there are things that are dangerous.
The air conditioner was advertised as new. It is a 2016 unit. There are needed repairs plus the setting & connection to ductwork is not up to code. When asked for repairs the seller provided an invoice that shows it was moved from a closet to the attic.
The advertisement stated new hot water heater. The hot water heater is new (2019 ??) but it is located in a kitchen cabinet. The drain is plugged rather than connected to the outside. It is also gas rather than electric. Inspection states the gas hot water heater is not suitable for living space.
The buyers are first time home buyers and are willing to accept the majority of the noted inspection items. They just don't want to have future costly issues on item that were not done properly.
The advertisement stated new hot water heater. The hot water heater is new (2019 ??) but it is located in a kitchen cabinet. The drain is plugged rather than connected to the outside. It is also gas rather than electric. Inspection states the gas hot water heater is not suitable for living space.
The buyers are first time home buyers and are willing to accept the majority of the noted inspection items. They just don't want to have future costly issues on item that were not done properly.
yeah, that sounds shady. Clearly didn't use a licensed plumber to install that water heater and advertising a 2016 HVAC as "new" is beyond silly.
I would ask for some serious concessions or just walk. Who knows what else they skimped on that aren't visible to the inspector.
I would ask for some serious concessions or just walk. Who knows what else they skimped on that aren't visible to the inspector.
I'd walk. That's just the stuff that was caught.
Did an inspection for a fellow Ag a couple years ago that had a 12 or 15 yo ac listed as new. Also said all the drain plumbing cast iron had been replaced.
AC didn't work, despite being called "new".
In the crawlspace, I found 4 12 foot lengths of pvc drain pipe laying on the ground. About 40% of the drain plumbing was replaced. Guess the contractor decided to stop midway through.
During discussions after the inspection the seller accidentally sent a copy of an hvac service invoice about adding coolent a few months before the inspection, not disclosed. And INSISTED that the unit worked and I was wrong.
Seller also flat refused to admit the drain plumbing was not completely done, despite photos showing what I had found. Sent a receipt for the work and insisted everything was fine.
My buyer correctly choose to walk.
As to the op. I agree that "up to code" needs to be taken with a grain of salt. But it sounds a bit fishy and the fact that the seller/listing agent is being difficult would be huge red flag to me. Especially with first time buyers.
I also find that "completely remodeled" is seldom complete and rarely more than a bunch of cosmetic updates. Quality is hit and miss when things are remodeled and proper documentation and such is really rare.
AC didn't work, despite being called "new".
In the crawlspace, I found 4 12 foot lengths of pvc drain pipe laying on the ground. About 40% of the drain plumbing was replaced. Guess the contractor decided to stop midway through.
During discussions after the inspection the seller accidentally sent a copy of an hvac service invoice about adding coolent a few months before the inspection, not disclosed. And INSISTED that the unit worked and I was wrong.
Seller also flat refused to admit the drain plumbing was not completely done, despite photos showing what I had found. Sent a receipt for the work and insisted everything was fine.
My buyer correctly choose to walk.
As to the op. I agree that "up to code" needs to be taken with a grain of salt. But it sounds a bit fishy and the fact that the seller/listing agent is being difficult would be huge red flag to me. Especially with first time buyers.
I also find that "completely remodeled" is seldom complete and rarely more than a bunch of cosmetic updates. Quality is hit and miss when things are remodeled and proper documentation and such is really rare.
Yes they have a realtor. All correspondence to the listing agent is being handled by a Closing Coordinator. They are not answering any questions only making minimal counter offers and sending invoices for the work in question. The actual broker/realtor has not responded to anything.
run, dont walk
I guess we are just surprised that well known (reputable??) realtors resort to doing this kind of business. They certainly can't need the business bad enough to engage in fraudulent activity. Maybe that's why they hide behind their Closing Coordinators so they have some one else to blame when their reputation is questioned.
Is the realtor a broker, or are they under a different broker? Their agent should #1- have the contact info for the listing agent, even if there is someone else trying yo handle closing and #2 contact their broker if they are purposefully dodging them
The listing realtor is a broker.
Jackson57 said:
Yes they have a realtor. All correspondence to the listing agent is being handled by a Closing Coordinator. They are not answering any questions only making minimal counter offers and sending invoices for the work in question. The actual broker/realtor has not responded to anything.
Maybe it's just me, but a "Closing Coordinator" seems too hands off for me. Listing Coordinator? Absolutely. Closing? The agent should be knee deep throughout the entire transaction. What if the Coordinator has a ton of closings happening at once? Don't get me wrong, we have admin that facilitates and assists a ton of the benchmark dates and tasks (scheduling inspections, closing date and time, etc), but I can't imagine not being there for my clients, ESPECIALLY during option. That's literally one of the most important parts of the process.
Edit to add: that's half of what I feel is the most valuable part of the service I provide. I suggest offer terms from an educated standpoint, and then I scour the inspection along with the client, and immediately get quotes from my contractor contacts. I don't care if the listing agent "accepted our offer in good faith" or doesn't like the number I suggest. The negotiations thereafter is my job. Astounded some assigned Coordinator is the only contact
NM see it's been addressedDiggity said:
give us some examples of what isn't "meeting code".
are we talking about "anti-siphon valves" on the dishwasher or stuff that really matters?
The A/C & water heater stuff should be easy enough to have their respective contractors come address.
The repairs that were done should have been done to code, but even a "completely remodeled" home isn't typically going to have every system touched, so you're still going to have things that show up "out of code".
That's exactly what it is. They want a little bit of distance so they don't have to actively lie in response to the questions. I wouldn't touch this house. And I've bought some ****ty houses.
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