Posted by Rich-CA on November 02, 2008 at 12:33:47:
have my repair people follow up on whatever has been flagged. Since these are people whose expertise I know, it is the next reasonable step if the inspector finds anything. Its kind of like the move out walkthrough. The PM or handyman does this but the estimate that goes against a security deposit is a licensed professional.
Repairs - Posted by Jack March
Posted by Jack March on October 31, 2008 at 11:33:41:
I’m the guy who had that $200 Processing fee sprung on him at the last minute!!! I don’t hold a license in FL (MA yes)
We had an inspection done, the inspector said the refrigerator was not working right. The seller’s agent said there was ice and it is working, this was conveyed to me by my broker (A facilitator). I arrive two weeks after closing and guess what? The refrigerator is not working. I had it repaired, and yes, I did pay that $200 processing fee.
Should I go after either broker for the cost of repairs?? or just buck and forget it?
Re: Repairs - Posted by Rich-CA
Posted by Rich-CA on October 31, 2008 at 15:13:49:
I had an inspector tell me that the furnace had serious trouble at a house I had under contract. I had MY furnace guy go out and do a full test. No problems. So I passed on the inspector’s recommendation. This Inspector did 4 inspections for me and found furnace problems in every one. My furnace guy only found a real problem with one of the furnaces, which he documented for me to send back to the seller. Seller claimed nothing wrong and I started to walk until he agreed to make the repairs I requested.
Bottom line: some inspectors have blind spots. If they say there is a problem, have your own repair person inspect the specific item and see if its true and what the repair would cost. That way when you go back to the seller you have enough detail to make an agreement as to repair credit or whatever.
Re: Repairs - Posted by River City
Posted by River City on October 31, 2008 at 11:42:15:
Unless you have something in writing from the seller that warranted the refrigerator as working at the time of the sale, I would forget about it. $200 is not worth the hassle or the headaches you would have from it. In the future, pay attention to what the inspector puts in the inspection report. That is what you are paying for.
Home inspectors - Posted by Natalie-VA
Posted by Natalie-VA on November 02, 2008 at 11:42:16:
Rich,
I would venture to say that when buyers get home inspections on houses they purchase from us, 80% of the time the inspector finds a “problem” with the HVAC that my HVAC mechanic doesn’t agree with.
That’s the problem with relying on people who are out of their area of expertise. Of course the buyers and their agents always believe their “expert” anyway.
–Natalie