Entering option period on 1st home - inputs pls! (Dallas: insurance, custom home)

[MovingtoDFW]

Would greatly appreciate input on a home we are getting into the option period on:

1/ 1998 built Stucco, 2 story, ~3600 sft, 5bd / 4bath home in north Irving gated community, ~ 390K, builder: Quantum Custom Homes

Stucco feels like hard cement to touch - not sure if its real stucco or EIFS - we are getting home inspection done by a stucco specialist who comes well recommended.

2/ Seller's disclosure says roof replaced in 2012- strangely, we are not able to locate a permit in the city record's database (the city does mandate permits for reroofing)

What could be the reasons for this, and more importantly, its implications for the new buyers.

3/ Apparently, Quantum Custom Homes was listed as owners till 2003, which is when the current owners moved in (home was built 1998). I am not sure if this was a model home, but even if so, isn't a 5 year period too long to get a new owner?

We are getting a thorough stucco + home inspection (costing us $1250), and we also plan to get a foundation & termite inspection done. We will also be getting inputs from our realtor and will try to get an answer for the permit issue from the owners.

As 1st time home-buyers -and new to the city - we don't want to mess up. We have busy work lives, and it would be a big problem if the house turned out to have a bunch of ongoing issues.

Thanks for reading and your time!

[Rakin]

If it's the house I think it is, Quantum bought the lot in 2001 and sold the house in 2003.

Whether it was 1998 or 2001, they may have owned the lot for several years before they ever started building the home.

They bought a whole bunch of lots back then and slowly started building custom homes.

[Sushi cake]

If its the one on Crockett then its a good looking house, you are getting a good price probably because it was marketed at down market and got stale thanks to stucco stigma. I say go for it.

Quote[Apparently, Quantum Custom Homes was listed as owners till 2003, which is when the current owners moved in (home was built 1998). I am not sure if this was a model home, but even if so, isn't a 5 year period too long to get a new owner?]Quote

According to Dallas County Cad, first owner Osbourne owned it from 2000-2006 when current owner bought it.

[loves2read]

you can usually tell true from faux stucco simply by looking at bottom of the exterior someplace like around front entry

in homes with faux stucco I have seen the bottom edge is usually unsealed and feels like weird version of styrofoam...and it feels very lightweight/porous
if the edges are too close to the ground water can enter and wick its way up

regarding roof not being permitted--
it better be
what does the homeowners' insurance company have to say about it being done..
unlikely it was replaced w/o insurance paying part of cost...

[ChristieP]

We had a lot of hail storms in 2012,and many homes needed roof replacements. If the city doesn't require a permit for roof replacement, then there's no reason to pull one. Its really not a big deal at all.

[MovingtoDFW]

This may be a different home as it is shown on the listing and various databases as built 1998.

General Q: if a lot was only acquired in a particular year, can the home be shown as "built" that year?

I have no problems actually putting up the realtor.com link to the home, but not sure if it is considered generally inappropriate?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Rakin

If it's the house I think it is, Quantum bought the lot in 2001 and sold the house in 2003.

Whether it was 1998 or 2001, they may have owned the lot for several years before they ever started building the home.

They bought a whole bunch of lots back then and slowly started building custom homes.

[MovingtoDFW]

This is a different home.

What were the reasons for the 'stucco stigma'? Thx.

Originally Posted by Sushi cake

If its the one on Crockett then its a good looking house, you are getting a good price probably because it was marketed at down market and got stale thanks to stucco stigma. I say go for it.

Quote[Apparently, Quantum Custom Homes was listed as owners till 2003, which is when the current owners moved in (home was built 1998). I am not sure if this was a model home, but even if so, isn't a 5 year period too long to get a new owner?]Quote

According to Dallas County Cad, first owner Osbourne owned it from 2000-2006 when current owner bought it.

[MovingtoDFW]

Can a potential buyer have access to their homeowner insurance records?

What may be the legal implications of a non-permit roof replacement to the next buyer?

Thanks..

Originally Posted by loves2read

you can usually tell true from faux stucco simply by looking at bottom of the exterior someplace like around front entry

in homes with faux stucco I have seen the bottom edge is usually unsealed and feels like weird version of styrofoam...and it feels very lightweight/porous
if the edges are too close to the ground water can enter and wick its way up

regarding roof not being permitted--
it better be
what does the homeowners' insurance company have to say about it being done..
unlikely it was replaced w/o insurance paying part of cost...

[MovingtoDFW]

The city requires permits for re-roofing.

Also, many of the neighbors show permits for roofing around the same time.

What may be the legal implications of a non-permit roof replacement to the next buyer?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ChristieP

We had a lot of hail storms in 2012,and many homes needed roof replacements. If the city doesn't require a permit for roof replacement, then there's no reason to pull one. Its really not a big deal at all.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by MovingtoDFW

The city requires permits for re-roofing.

Also, many of the neighbors show permits for roofing around the same time.

What may be the legal implications of a non-permit roof replacement to the next buyer?

Thanks!

I have never heard of a city requiring a permit for roof replacement. (I've had roofs replaced on my homes in both Dallas and Grapevine due to hail storms ruining the composite shingles.) As long as the seller can give info on the roofer who performed the work, and they have a transferrable warranty, there shouldn't be any problem. If you are really worried about it, call the city and ask.