a potentially dangerous situation. would you get involved?

[Papa Deuce]

I mentioned before that was looking to buy a home across the street from me for my mom to live in. I had a home inspector look at the home. I knew it was a MAJOR fixer - upper.

Well, the home inspector told me not to buy the home, that it was in such bad shape, that if it were him, he would say that the house was was dangerous and uninhabitable. He said that I should knock it down and put up a new home on this otherwise BEAUTIFUL property.

I relayed this to the owner and her daughter when I told them I would not be purchasing the home. They VERY QUICKLY said "thanks for telling us" and they walked inside the house ASAP. "My" thinking is that they didn't want to know all the details so that they couldn't claim they were aware of problems before selling the home.

OK, so now they have a serious potential buyer who has stopped by at least 2x so far, maybe more. It is a very young family. I think it might be their first home, but I don't know. They talked to me for a few minutes about the neighborhood and the schools.

At that point it did not occur to me to say anything about what the home inspector. But he was very clear that he thought this home was dangerous.

If I see these people again, should I warn them? The lady who owns the home is a very nice 85 year old lady, who may not realize the seriousness of what I told her, but I am 100% her daughter knows, since her husband is a retired builder. And she was the one who pulled her mom inside ASAP when I tried to tell them what the inspector said.


EDIT: Long story short, no report was written up.... see below.

 

[ducklite]

If you tell someone that the house has serious problems, and you are not yourself qualified to make those claims and give specifics, you could be opening yourself to a major lawsuit.

Anne

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I agree with Anne. I would not tell them what you know, but maybe strongly recommend they hire a home inspector. I am sure they will be told the same thing.

I am amazed at how many people will purchase a home without having it inspected 1st. So, if you do anything, it should be to make sure they get a home inspector.

 

[nkjzmom]

Refer them to your home inspector. He has his report prepared already.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

If you see the people interested in buying the property again - you should tell them exactly what happened to you - that you were interested in buying the property until you hired a home inspector...and that it was in their best interest to hire one themselves. None if it is a lie and you aren't trying to suade them....but yes, I would tell them...if they turn out to be your neighbors and friends, how would you feel if you with held the info?

 

[ducklite]

Strongly urging them to hire a home inspector would be absolutely legal, appropriate, and morally the right thing to do.

Anne

 

[Jennifer S]

I agree - suggest a home inspector - strongly

 

[popeyeohoh]

I thought that when a home had an inspection that report became part of the disclosure. I had to disclose to our buyer a previous inspection.

 

[hlbtimes2]

What type of problem does the home have?

I dont know that I would tell them details, but if I saw them again I would strongly recomend they get an inspection done on the home. Tell them you think there could be some problems and you would hate for them to find out when its too late.

 

[disykat]

While I didn't want to vote "absolutely", these people might be your neighbors. They would wonder why you didn't warn them if you knew. These people may very well become your friends. I know I would have a hard time facing them if I felt like I had kept info from them.

If you see them again, ask them if they are getting a home inspection and if not, recommend it. You don't have to say anything that could open up problems. Making a sale contingent on the inspection is pretty normal isn't it?

I don't see how you could get in trouble unless you were making unsubstantiated claims. Even if you showed them your own report, or shared that you'd had one done and had concerns about it - I don't think you'd be out of line.

That said, this is just my OPINION and I have no experience in these matters.

 

[arminnie]

I would send a copy of the inspector's report (which should always be in writing) certified to the owner. Then she will have to disclose it.

 

[SillyMe]

Did you have an inspection done as part of a pending contract on the property? If so, the seller's were aware of the inspection and have to disclose it. If not, can you send a copy to their realtor?

 

[Cool-Beans]

I am always in the minority with the "You should mind your own business," response. That is never a Poll option! Thank you for letting me vote it!!!!!!!!!!!

If they asked you whether you thought the home was safe, you could mention that you didn't know, but contacted an inspector who claimed it was not.

Otherwise, stay out of it.

...but that's just me and my advice. It isn't like I'm demanding you take it.

 

[Charade]

Strongly urging them to hire a home inspector would be absolutely legal, appropriate, and morally the right thing to do.

Anne

I agree.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Refer them to your home inspector. He has his report prepared already.

Actually he doesn't He quit the inspection way before he was finished and didn't write a report. He didn't charge us. He said just be glad we checked out the home.

 

[robinb]

Don't do a thing. A smart buyer will have the house inspected like you did and they will find out the bad news then.

 

[mtblujeans]

Refer them to your home inspector. He has his report prepared already.

Or at the very least, tell them it would be worth the expense to get the home inspected before buying.

ETA: Oops....didn't see Robin's post.

 

[Beth76]

I would not outright tell them. Like others have said, if they are smart they will get it inspected as well. If it comes about again that you're talking with them and the subject comes up, perhaps you could refer them to your inspector. Or maybe just casually mention, "Hey, how did the ispection go?"

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Actually he doesn't He quit the inspection way before he was finished and didn't write a report. He didn't charge us. He said just be glad we checked out the home.

sorry, but that is just flakey.

If you didn't get an official report from the home inspector, then you don't know what is specifically wrong with the house. There is nothing wrong with telling any buyer to hire a good Home Inspector. Frankly, I'm not sure if I'd put one who doesn't even issue a report into that category.

 

[salmoneous]

I disagree with those saying you should go out of your way to suggest they get the home inspected. If you were to tell me that, I would ask you "Why, is something wrong with the house?" How would you reply?

Now if they ask you a direct question, I'll tell them that you were thinking about the house, but that your inspector saw a few problems. But, ulness they ask, mind your own business.