I bought a house! - Page 3

TomJoe · #51 12-04-2006, 10:06 PM

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Originally Posted by Shake

Ahh, I see. So what do you need the fireplace for in SC? (asks the Yankee who spent 7 years in Charleston)

Beats the heck out of me. Asethetics I guess. Every house we looked at had one. *shrug*

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Whereabouts — roughly if you don't want to be too specific — in SC are you anyway?

Near Columbia.

TomJoe · #52 12-08-2006, 04:39 PM

Inspector found some items with the house, one of them major. There were undisclosed repairs underneath the house (may have been termite damage or rot), some of the windows have rot in them (considered a minor repair) and there is a spot on the roof which appears to be a leak, or a raised shingle ... as well as some shingles along the edge of the roof which are broken and will need to be replaced. All of this stuff is minor.

But ... the chimney is separating from the rest of the house. That's major, and will result in the house being unsuitable for sale. Which could scuttle the entire deal. Which will send the fiancee and I back to the drawing board in the search for a house. Supposedly either the chimney needs to be strapped to an attic support at the top (it's separated 3/4" away at the top of the house) or if there isn't a way to support it a foundation contractor needs to be brought in for repairs. I am also not inclined to accept a drop in the price of the house in lieu of making this repair. I don't have the sort of money that it will take to make this repair. I hope the sellers do, or will once they buy their next house.

:sadcheer:

Looks like we need to seriously consider houses #2, #3 and #4.

livius drusus · #53 12-08-2006, 04:41 PM

Oh noes! That totally, totally sucks, TomJoe. And to think I loved the chimney best of all. :badday:

How's the future missus taking it?

Tanda · #54 12-08-2006, 04:42 PM

Geez, I'm sorry to hear that, TomJoe.

Is she crushed? Would she be happy in #'s 2,3 or 4?

TomJoe · #55 12-08-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livius drusus

How's the future missus taking it?

She doesn't know yet. I left her a message (she's at work, and Friday is the busiest day of the week) and she hasn't called me back yet.

We won't get the final inspection/recommendation list until tonight, at which point we go back to bargaining with them. I'm not inclined to bargain very long with them, I need a house soon. Especially since our other houses are more expensive, and I'll need to go back to my mortgage company, ask for an increase as well as set up new inspections.

Sock Puppet · #56 12-08-2006, 04:56 PM

Aw, that sucks, TJ. I hope the attic-strapping thing works out.

TomJoe · #57 12-08-2006, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sock Puppet

Aw, that sucks, TJ. I hope the attic-strapping thing works out.

Me too ... I think.

I don't know how thrilled I'd be to know that my chimney is attached to my house by an inch wide strip of aluminum (or whatever they use) strapping.

Tanda · #58 12-08-2006, 05:07 PM

Tell them to make it 2 inches. :yup:

If it's worth holding onto, you'll be okay with a strap-on chimney.

inland wave · #59 12-08-2006, 05:44 PM

TomJoe,

From experinece....if there are any issues with something seperating from something else, look elsewhere. Thank goodness for inspectors especially ones that are up front and honest. Wish we could have been so fortunate. We have all kinds of seperating issues. We need to bulldoze the damn place down and start over. If I went into detail about what we are seeing now you would choke.

godfry n. glad · #60 12-08-2006, 05:56 PM

Separation anxiety.

My neighbor has a 1919 foursquare which had the chimney separate. It's double strapped and has been for twenty years. It seems fine. (Of course, they paid only $40,000 for it and put another $20,000 into it before moving in.) Her house is one of the nicest in the neighborhood where homes run at market values six to ten times that, now.

LadyShea · #61 12-08-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shake

Ahh, I see. So what do you need the fireplace for in SC? (asks the Yankee who spent 7 years in Charleston)

I am further south than that and it was like 28 degrees last night! Really though my fireplace is for ambience/aestethics.

This cold shit is pissing me off. How much further south do I have to go? When Castro finally dies you think Cuba will be opened back up?

TomJoe · #62 12-08-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

Separation anxiety.

My neighbor has a 1919 foursquare which had the chimney separate. It's double strapped and has been for twenty years. It seems fine.

Well, that is somewhat comforting. I've been reading that it is not entirely unheard of for chimney's to separate up to 1/2" from the house because they're set on a different foundation from the rest of the house ... WTF?!?! Of course, ours is larger than that by a quarter inch. What happens when we strap the top and the bottom keeps settling?

Poop, I hate this. I'm very inclined into going with choice #2, and after having spoken to the fiancee, she seems inclined to go with it too. But that backyard on house #1... it's so loverly, and the #2 house has nothing comparable. No fence, no trees ... no "character". Of course it means I can plant palmetto's in the front yard. I wonder what sort of fruit trees thrive in South Carolina. I wouldn't mind mangos and apricots.

Miss Shelby · #63 12-09-2006, 01:05 AM

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Originally Posted by TomJoe

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Originally Posted by livius drusus

How's the future missus taking it?

She doesn't know yet. I left her a message (she's at work, and Friday is the busiest day of the week) and she hasn't called me back yet.

We won't get the final inspection/recommendation list until tonight, at which point we go back to bargaining with them. I'm not inclined to bargain very long with them, I need a house soon. Especially since our other houses are more expensive, and I'll need to go back to my mortgage company, ask for an increase as well as set up new inspections.

I think I would be more inclined to insist that they fix the shit that is wrong. AND I'd haggle for a lower price just because they're inconveniencing you. What could it hurt? That's how the game is played, they shouldn't be able to put a house on the market that has all of those problems without being obligated to fix them. What does your realitor advise? In my way of thinking, it's better to have the house that you absolutely love IF the problems aren't permanent in nature and you won't end up in a money pit, than to settle for something you like okay just because you're pressed for time.

Michelle

TomJoe · #64 12-09-2006, 01:29 AM

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Originally Posted by Miss Shelby

I think I would be more inclined to insist that they fix the shit that is wrong.

I fully intend to. The chimney is non-negotiable. They HAVE to fix it if they want to sell it to me, or anyone else. The windows I will also insist on being fixed, as well as the roof. I'll see the actual inspectors report (with pictures) tonight, and we'll be better able to know what needs to be done. They'll have to around Wednesday to decide if they're will to do it or not. If not (the minor things) then I'm out and we'll go with house #2. No haggling, I'll just drop them. I'll be out $250 (I'll have to pay the inspector myself) but that's not too bad. I'll get my deposit back.

The inspector believes (if the supporting in the attic exists) that the strapping will work because the house is 18 years old and more than likely will not settle any further. If that's the case, then the strapping should work and that will be that. If it does settle significantly after that, then yah ... I'll be out the money unless it does it in the first year and the house warranty covers it, but how likely is that to happen?

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AND I'd haggle for a lower price just because they're inconveniencing you. What could it hurt?

I don't think I can do that. Because technically all it's doing for me is causing me an upset stomach (and part of that may be due to all the chili I ate today). As long as the repairs are done prior to my arrival, I don't think I can come down on the price of the house ... that has been already determined. Now, if they fail to do some of the minor repairs, then I think I can haggle price or ask for an allowance to do them myself.

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That's how the game is played, they shouldn't be able to put a house on the market that has all of those problems without being obligated to fix them.

I agree. I think the bastards were hoping they'd get a buyer who wouldn't do an inspection. I'll tell you this. When I wind up selling, I WILL do an inspection of my own place to find the major things and get them fixed prior to sale. Just so crap like this doesn't happen to me or the potential buyer.

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What does your realitor advise?

She's not panicked by this. She thinks that they'll agree to the repairs. She knows I'm concerned given their cheapskate outlook on the price of the house, but she thinks that is totally different than making repairs. I hope she's correct. Otherwise they're screwed because I can walk away with no obligation other than to the inspector. I'm out $250. Big whoop. I have backup houses, I'll have time to get a deal done. They're new builds, so I won't wind up with any of these sorts of issues. They're the ones halfway packed and moving into a new house, probably contingent upon this sale. If anyone will lose their earnest deposit on a house, it'll be them. Or they'll have to carry two houses. The house was on the market for almost half a year and the market has slowed ... they better do the repairs or they'll likely screw themselves.

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In my way of thinking, it's better to have the house that you absolutely love IF the problems aren't permanent in nature and you won't end up in a money pit, than to settle for something you like okay just because you're pressed for time.

I agree. I WILL NOT settle on this, not when we're talking in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

livius drusus · #65 12-09-2006, 01:41 AM

The more I think about it the more the undisclosed damage freaks me out. It's just really shady homeownering. Can the inspector tell when the damage was originally repaired? I mean, is it possible the sellers didn't know about it?

TomJoe · #66 12-09-2006, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livius drusus

The more I think about it the more the undisclosed damage freaks me out. It's just really shady homeownering. Can the inspector tell when the damage was originally repaired? I mean, is it possible the sellers didn't know about it?

I don't know if he can tell when the damage was originally repaired. He may be able to tell if it's recent or not. It is possible that the sellers did not know about it. They didn't buy the house new (it was about 8 years old when they bought it). It does mean that someone violated the mandated Good Faith Disclosure laws of South Carolina. Just possibly not the current owners. Hopefully I'll know more about this tonight. It sounds like this inspector (which my realtor uses a lot) knew his shit, so I think he found everything, and according to the realtor, the repair underneath the house was a good repair. The termite inspection seems to have gone well too. Some issues of dry rot, but no sight of recent termite infestation.

Miss Shelby · #67 12-09-2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomJoe

I'll tell you this. When I wind up selling, I WILL do an inspection of my own place to find the major things and get them fixed prior to sale. Just so crap like this doesn't happen to me or the potential buyer.

And you'd be smart to do it that way for yourself. Usually, when someone is selling a house, they're also buying another one simultaneously. Well, I don't know how usual is 'usually' but in most instances that I have known, that's been the way it goes. When you're buying and selling at the same time, it's double the pleasure, double the fun, (double the stress) so most people want their ducks all in a line just so things run smoothly. That means making sure everything is up to snuff in the house they're selling so they don't have to deal with the heartache of fixing things upon demand of a buyer. Your seller either has a lot of gall or not a lot of common sense. Seems it's about to bite him in the butt.

livius drusus · #68 12-09-2006, 01:51 AM

Well that's good, at any rate. You know you're getting good advice from your people even if the homeowners turn out to be shady as well as stingy.

Sock Puppet · #69 12-09-2006, 02:07 AM

They were probably just clueless about the chimney separation. It's not something they'd find but for a professional inspection, and if their inspector was an idiot, they probably never knew. But either way, it sounds like your realtor and inspector know their business, so if you go through with this transaction, it should work out.

Then again, if the new builds aren't too much higher in price, that would be a good way to go. Then when you resell, you've likely got everything already up to the latest codes.

Miss Shelby · #70 12-09-2006, 02:49 AM

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Originally Posted by Sock Puppet

They were probably just clueless about the chimney separation. It's not something they'd find but for a professional inspection, and if their inspector was an idiot, they probably never knew.

So is chimney separation just a matter of normal settling of the house that causes no other problems? (I haven't owned a house with a fireplace)--

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Then again, if the new builds aren't too much higher in price, that would be a good way to go. Then when you resell, you've likely got everything already up to the latest codes.

This is def. good advice for someone not planning on staying in a house for more than 5 years. But those are the replicated up in an instant homes. TomJoe picked a very unique family oriented one that his fiancee loves for a home-- tells me they want to make it home for more than temporary. (which anything 5 years or less is anymore, in respect to home owning)-- But maybe I am misreading.

TomJoe · #71 12-09-2006, 03:37 AM

I do want to make this house more than temporary. I like stability. I can easily envision me working the same job until I feel the need to retire (something my grandfather did, and my father wanted to do before the communications field imploded back in the mid-90s), and staying in the same house until it's clear we've vastly outgrown it (and possible additions to the house cannot save it for us). I'm not in it for the money (though I know real estate is usually a great investment), but for the peace of mind. Which is why this house NEEDS to give me peace of mind.

I know that eventually, with any house, I'll need to make repairs. I just envisioned I'd have a few years to pinpoint them, have a chance to save up for them, etc etc. Which is why I don't want to walk into a house with existing major problems. UNLESS THEY'VE BEEN FIXED.

Fortunately the realtor my insurance/investment company hooked me up with has been great, and I get a kickback for using her too.

I'm miffed at the owners because I think they went about this bassackwards. True, they could have had a crappy inspector and I had a really good one ... but I imagine they skipped having an inspection. I think (based on my interaction with them penny pinching me over the price/closing costs of the house) they're cutting corners to maximize their profits. It's going to bite them in the ass now. At least with the chimney ... unless they decide to stay put ... they HAVE to fix it now. Now that they're aware of it, if they don't list it and they sell to someone else ... if they get busted ... they've committed a crime. The realtor probably would get in major trouble too. Of course, now that I think about it ... they took it off the market briefly (we thought it was to redo the carpets), dropped the asking price a bit and then relisted with a new agent. I wonder if a previous inspection which showed these problems was the reason.

I can ask my real estate agent tomorrow to find out the details from their first agent (if that's legal/possible) or if these inspections are filed with the county or something. That could very well be a deal breaker. Whether the repairs are done or not, on principle, I won't deal with a dishonest seller I catch redhanded. It will taint my entire experience (considering I haggled with them in good faith on the price of the house) with them.

House #2 (a new build) is only a few thousand more. It has a smaller backyard, no fence, and is in a good part of town (but not as good as our first choice). It does have a two car garage and tile (as opposed to vinyl) in the bathrooms and kitchen. No trees, but I can always plant a few. Ugh ... what an inconvenience. Do-able, but annoying.

Plant Woman · #72 12-09-2006, 07:56 AM

You can also continue looking at other houses. If the housing market has slowed down, you may be able to get some good deals, assuming it's a buyer's market.

TomJoe · #73 12-09-2006, 06:56 PM

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Originally Posted by Plant Woman

You can also continue looking at other houses.

I'm in Illinois. The houses are in South Carolina. "Continuing to look" is sort of an impossibility at this point. Either I get this house in the condition I need/want, go with a backup ... or go back to finding a place to rent that will take two dogs without ass-raping me in deposits (which will never be returned to me) and pet fees.

biochemgirl · #74 12-09-2006, 07:03 PM

Awww man, I'm so sorry to hear that. Don't give up hope quite yet, we went through so many hurdles in getting our house but it worked out in the end.

quiet bear · #75 12-09-2006, 07:22 PM

Illinois? I knew a girl from Eureka.