OT: Now the septic/well inspections failed!!

[tyboyz]

Samijam, you sound like a real estate person. Do you know if I have any recourse to get my inspection money returned. They would not allow us to inspect the gas fireplace, they will not allow us to inspect the pool and they refused a radon test for the water even though the house tested above the levels for radon. It seems to me that they did not allow all the inspections we were allowed per the sales agreement.

 

[tyboyz]

Samijam, you sound like a real estate person. Do you know if I have any recourse to get my inspection money returned. They would not allow us to inspect the gas fireplace, they will not allow us to inspect the pool and they refused a radon test for the water even though the house tested above the levels for radon. It seems to me that they did not allow all the inspections we were allowed per the sales agreement.

 

[ohiominnie]

Run Away as Fast as you can from this money pit!!

I TOTALLY agree with this!! This is NOT your dream house if it has these problems. There is something better out there for you.

And even if you lose $1800 it's better than the amount of money you'll lose fixing up all of their other "hidden" problems not to mention the HEADACHES of having to deal with them.

This house we live in they did not disclose that during the rainy season (April-November) water pours into the basement THROUGH the conduit that the main electric line comes through!!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

We are in PA and apparently they are supposed to disclose this once the issues are exposed but they honestly believe they have no problems no matter what the reports say. I don't think they will disclose them.

They actually said they would fix the septic but we would have to UP the price of the house for them to do it!!! Can you imagine this?? They also played around until 5:48pm the night before the deadline stated in our sales agreement. They said they will take their chances on the market again because their house is worth every penny.

I am completely devastated but I have enough sense to know I need to get far away from these people. Who knows what would have happened at settlement!!!

Wow! These people are very naive if they believe that they can sell their house in this condition. I do not know of any mortgage company or bank that will finace if there is not a building inpection. The realtor who listed this home may choose not to continue the relationship if there are problems and the seller refuses to rectify them.I also would consult your own realtor or a lawyer to determine if you can recover your costs.

 

[samijam]

No, you can not get you inspection fees back, sorry. All Real Estate is sold in As Is condition meaning once you close the transaction you buy the problems or defects with the house. You are allowed to do inspections of your choice in a reasonable time peroid to determine if the house has any deficient conditions that will have a negative impact on the investment. Obviously their are multiple deficient conditions with this property. I guess you can look at it you may have lost 1800.00 in inspection fees, but if you did not do inspections it would cost you many more thousands of dollars. So at least you can walk away with only a small loss and not huge repair bills you can not walk away from.
The only time you have recourse for inspection is when the seller refuses to sell with no reasonable explenation (i.e. changes mind) after the P&S is signed.

The Purchase and Sales agreement should explain defecient condition (it protects both buyers and sellers) and state that if the seller is not willing to remedy the problems or compensate buyer for the deficeint conditions the buyer is intitled to all deposits returned.

Some sellers can be real hot heads about repairs. They will never understand that you have already invested time and money in the transaction. This house sounds like it will be a hard sell from hear on out. All realtors are required to disclose any and all conditions they are aware of in the house, so the realtor knows now and must disclose, no one will buy a home at a premium price with all the conditions you stated. Any offers from hear on out will be much lower and take all repairs into consideration.
It all comes down to how badly the sellers want to sell. If they are only trying to cash in on the hot real estate market and make a quick 100,000.00 they may decide to stay put. If they indeed do need to sell they will eventually realize they need to conceed and make repairs.
If you decide to pursue a different house ask the Home inspector you used on the Money pit if they will give you a discounted rate on another home inspection. They should offer you a discount for a second inspection.

Good Luck, I always tell people it will all work out if it's meant to be and if not it's a blessing in disguise. You will find a nicer home or a better value

 

[tyboyz]

Yeah they said they will fix the septic if we give them $10,000 more. Why we would we do that??? They won't let us turn on the air conditioning, pool or gas fireplace but they won't have them certified either. The well ran dry at 260 gallons which isn't enough to get our showers in the morning but they still say there is nothing wrong with the well. They said they stagger their showers and it is fine. They are crazy!!! Oh and the Radon stuff is a bunch of huey according to them!!

The house is in the best school district and this is the only development we can afford in that area but these people just are not being reasonable so I am walking away. We sent our release in but their agent is trying to work things out.

 

[rockyroad]

I'd suggest speaking to the local sanitarian with the area Health Department. I'd be concerned that a new system may fail as well due to poor soil. Septic systems fail for many different reasons, replacement of the system might not necessarily fix the problem. If you have to install an "alternative septic system" they can cost $20K+ depending on the type of system and size of the home. Have you checked into sanitary sewer availability on the property? Little, to no maintenance is required on standard gravity sewer systems. I'm sure you can tell that I'm in the "used water" business. Good luck to you.

There is a house near mine that apparently had a problem with the soil.

Anyway, a large house was built and apparently the septic system never worked right and the house has been condemned.
A nice big house just sitting there falling apart.
I don't know who ate that.

But I do know that our system had a lot of work and we have an acre of drainfield.

 

[samijam]

If you have your heart set this house one last ditch effort to get it may be to submit an as is offer without the sellers doing repairs. try to figure what it will cost you to make repairs and double it and make the offer. They probably will not accept the offer but they may see it and realize how much they can loose if you walk. I am sure they know they are in a good school district and the house is priced below others. you may be surprised once you walk away they may change their minds a lot of sellers like to feel in control of the deal and can get a little pushy, but when they realize they are letting the sale fall apart often times they change their mind. you should have the real estate agent pull recent sales in the neighborhood with functioning septic, well and redon mitigation and explain to the seller they got thehigher price because either repairs were made or the systems were functioning at the time of sale. It may help for you and the seller to se ethis info.