Are the sellers being unresonable? *Update Pg 3*

[Chicago526]

I'm buying a house, and upon inspection, several issues arose, mainly a leak in the main sewer pipe ( ), high radon levels, and a furnace desribed as "newer" that is really 25 years old.

Radon alone is going to cost about $1000, and all the sellers offered was $1000 credit at closing for EVERYTHING. The house was not listed "as is", and in fact the listing said "move in condition".

I told the lawyer to ask that we at least get an esimate on the plumbing repair and to have the furnace inspected and cleaned, again with an estimate of any repairs it might need.

If the sellers stick to the $1000 no matter what, I'm ready to walk away from this. I don't want to, but I'll live in an apartment for a month or two to find a better place. We are paying the exact amount the house apraised at, so it's not like we are getting a steal to begin with.

I'm not asking for everything to be repaired or credited (there were several more semi-major issues that I haven't posted), just the major stuff. If they won't give on this, they'll have to disclose ALL the problems to new buyers, and good luck to them then!

I asked the realtor to see if there are other houses we can consider if I need to back out of this!

Okay, vent over. Boy, I hope this works out!

 

[Disney_1derland]

I feel your pain, we are on the same journey and I'm terrified as it will be our first home purchase. Good luck to you, stick to your guns and don't settle for something you're not going to be happy with!

 

[KelNottAt]

I think you've made a reasonable request. The sellers probably think that they have the upper hand in today's market. Let 'em. If you're really willing to walk away, then do so. Sounds like they'll be sorry in the end.

 

[mtblujeans]

No doubt your Realtor will share with their Realtor that you are willing to walk away. Be patient and see what transpires. I know.....buying and selling is so terribly stressful!! But, some things require the patience of a gambler!

 

[bjgrazi]

If it's in the home inspection I'd ask for it to be fixed, or I'd walk away.

But it depends on how much you "love" the house. I wouldn't buy without the radon problem fixed and do you really want a leaky sewer pipe in the house?

Those aren't minor, I couldn't see them closing without the sewer problem fixed.

 

[cynsaun]

Those are major issues, and you should have every right to walk away.

What was the amount of money your realtor put in your original offer giving you the right to walk away if the repairs were more?

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I can't imagine that a repair in the main sewer pipe will be inexpensive--I would for sure wait on that estimate and then present it to the sellers--I personally don't think Radon is a big deal, although our sellers had to put a radon thing in this house--I really didn't care but the realtor said it had to be done.
Robin M.

 

[swea_pea1]

Stick to your guns tell your realtor you're willing to walk away. The sellers on my house spent $25K in repairs before I moved in because I made it clear I was willing to walk away and they were desperate to sell. If it doesn't work out, then it wasn't meant to be!

 

[C.Ann]

I'm another who considers radon a non-issue..

However, the other items could be costly - and certainly more than $1000..I would get estimates, present them to the sellers agent and proceed from there..

 

[floridafam]

Be careful of any radon issues. They aren't always problems. There are some people out there who aren't so honest and could be trying to scam the seller.

Anyway, I would surely get an estimate on the sewer pipe repair.

When we sold our house in Michigan we had to replace a cracked window, put a cap on the chimney and pay for a radon system to the tune of almost $1,000. We were already in Florida so I didn't have the time or energy to argue.

I wouldn't buy a house without knowing what was wrong and how much it was going to cost to get it fixed. You're just asking for trouble that way.

When we purchased the above mentioned home, the furnace didn't pass inspection (safety hazard) and the seller paid $2500 of our closing costs.

Good luck and let us know what happens

 

[lbgraves]

Any leaks could mean much bigger damage that is hidden in the walls or floor boards & could be very expensive to repair & replace the damaged area. Don't walk into something without knowing all the facts & costs.

 

[mrsv98]

I would be VERY wary of the sewer pipe leak....those issues can become HUGE and then you are in deep. I would insist that be completely rectified before closing or I would walk, way too many headaches could be the tradeoff. Good luck!

 

[DrCavin]

The sewer pipe having a leak is major & I would insist that be fixed. Depending on where the leak is that could get real expensive & quickly - picture jackhammer the basement to replace it, digging up the yard to the street..

Radon is debatable as to its severity.

The furnace is a non-issue, somone described it as "newer" is not something to argue over. Yes you will find more efficient furnaces available today, if it isn't a safety issue then I wouldnt worry. You could lower your offer offset the cost of replacing it...

 

[Chicago526]

Fortunatly, the sewerpipe is exposed completely, it's in the middle of the basement, you can see it from where it comes up from the cement and then disapears into the ceiling of the basement. the leak is right below the ceiling. The inspector didn't seem too worried but said it would need to be fixed.

The realtor says just the radon alone can let us walk, and the stuff on the inspection report is also enough for us to walk, so between the two I think we can get our $1,000 earnest money back.

I'm not worried about the furnace being effeciant, I'm worried abot it not working at all. The inspector couldn't get it to turn on, but he said it may be due to the heat (it was hot that day). He recomened that it be cleaned and inspected. If it comes out fine, then I'm okay with it. I just don't want to walk into a house and needing to replace the furnace this fall!

There is also asbestos, but the inspector said it can be easily contained, so as a barganing chip I won't insist on it. It's in good shape and not flaking off, so for the time being it's not a threat, and we can deal with it at our leisure. There are also several other truely minor problems (the electric line going to the house is too low over the garage, the grade of the dirt next to the house in one small spot causes a tiny bit of water to run into the basement, there's an open electrical wire near the fuse box, stuff like that).

The bank appraised it at $186,000, and that's what we are paying. If we were getting it for below that, then it would be a differant story. I love the house, but not to the point where I'm going to fork out a ton of $$$$ to fix it. I've already e-mailed my realtor several listings of homes that I'd love to go and see. I still have a month until I close on the condo I live in, so I can truely walk and still might be able to find a new place and not wind up homeless.

Hopefully, we can work this out, I do like the home.

Thanks for the support, everyone! Now I just have to go home and break this to DFi....

 

[phorsenuf]

There is also asbestos, but the inspector said it can be easily contained, so as a barganing chip I won't insist on it. It's in good shape and not flaking off, so for the time being it's not a threat, and we can deal with it at our leisure.

I would be leary of this. It may not be a problem now, but down the road it could be. You could end up spending alot. If I recall its quite a procedure to take care of. I would look into that. Also remember that it could be a potential problem is you are thinking of selling in the next 5-10 years.

 

[floridafam]

Asbstos??? I'd walk away and never look back.

 

[Chicago526]

I would be leary of this. It may not be a problem now, but down the road it could be. You could end up spending alot. If I recall its quite a procedure to take care of. I would look into that. Also remember that it could be a potential problem is you are thinking of selling in the next 5-10 years.

If we had to remove it, yes it's a big production. But I guess it can be "contained" some how, and that is an acceptable remedy, from what I understand.

 

[chrissyk]

The house has asbestos AND the sellers did not disclose that they have 25-year-old furnace I'd walk right this second. Who knows what else they haven't disclosed. NO WAY would I buy a house with asbestos anything in it. Let the sellers pay to mitigate it and then maybe consider it, but don't make it your future headache.

 

[Chicago526]

To be fair, we don't think they knew about the asbestos, and they may not have known how old the furnace was. This was a little old lady's house, she passed away and now the grandkids are selling the house, so they may not know anything about the place. And the leak, you wouldn't know it was there if you weren't looking for it.

Also, I didn't add, it's only suspected aspestos, the inspector was pretty sure it was but we'd need a lab test to confirm.

Right now we are waiting for the lawyer to contact the seller's lawyer to let 'em know that $1000 isn't good enough. We'll see what (if anything) they come back with, and go from there. But I saw some lovely townhomes up for sale...

 

[crazyforgoofy]

The house has asbestos AND the sellers did not disclose that they have 25-year-old furnace I'd walk right this second. Who knows what else they haven't disclosed. NO WAY would I buy a house with asbestos anything in it. Let the sellers pay to mitigate it and then maybe consider it, but don't make it your future headache.

If you would have to replace the furnace and do the sewer repair in the near future plus have to deal with radon and asbestos you'd have to live in the house for a number of years to make those investments worth it. Do you like the house THAT much?