Selling Our House -- Realtor Problems? (construction, cost, attorneys, transaction)

[Mike Peterson]

Checking that site the permit would have run you $55.00

Franklin County Planning & Inspections

Scroll down to "Other Inspection Fees"

2. Installation of mechanical systems (heat, a/c, refridg- boilers, etc) $55.00

[Advocate4]

Thanks for the links re the water heater permit fee -- actually, I'd checked last night and found out that a permit is required, so this will get addressed in the next couple of days.

Re the cleaning of the tubs -- yes, they were cleaned frequently. One of them had some slight yellowing of built-in treads in the bottom (made them look ivory colored) which I could never get out. But that was not the "dirt" that I saw in the photos our realtor sent of the dirty tubs. What I saw were "ring around the tub" lines, which was not how we left the tubs. It was not until the 3rd professional cleaning that this matter was fixed, I don't know specifically what the cleaning cost of the tubs was.

Now, though, another question. We are in the process of getting some estimates from contractors to fix the 7 things the buyer would like repaired. Our realtor got three estimates, and he has shared with the buyer's agent what those estimates are ... now the buyer's agent wants us to go with a specific estimate. We are feeling that it isn't right for our realtor to share with the buyer's side what the estimates are -- what difference does that make to the buyer? We're the ones who will be paying for the repairs, why does the buyer need to know the cost of that or any right to try to influence what contractor and bid we select?

I'm sorry if I'm being nit-picky. We've never sold a house before, and while we are glad this one is under contract and do want to go through with it, we feel we have been nickled-and-dimed throughout the whole process, not to mention the lousy luck of having the market fall like it did.

.

[shellytc]

Originally Posted by Advocate4

Now, though, another question. We are in the process of getting some estimates from contractors to fix the 7 things the buyer would like repaired. Our realtor got three estimates, and he has shared with the buyer's agent what those estimates are ... now the buyer's agent wants us to go with a specific estimate. We are feeling that it isn't right for our realtor to share with the buyer's side what the estimates are -- what difference does that make to the buyer? We're the ones who will be paying for the repairs, why does the buyer need to know the cost of that or any right to try to influence what contractor and bid we select?


.

I absolutely agree with you on this. Your realtor had no biz reviewing bids with the other side, and have them involved in picking them out. UNLESS they stipulated it in their inspection removal contingency addendum. Tell the agent you are picking XX estimate, and if they want the other one, the agents can pay for it out of their money. He had no biz sharing your biz with them.

Shelly

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by shellytc

I absolutely agree with you on this. Your realtor had no biz reviewing bids with the other side, and have them involved in picking them out. UNLESS they stipulated it in their inspection removal contingency addendum. Tell the agent you are picking XX estimate, and if they want the other one, the agents can pay for it out of their money. He had no biz sharing your biz with them.

Shelly

Ditto this. Unless they say in the contract that you agree to use a specific contractor, most contracts leave it up to the seller to pick whom they want. I know out here, we give the buyer's a copy of the invoice after the repair is completed as proof of repairs done, but that is after the seller has selected and used the contractor.

It's not how we do things out here, so this part is weird to me.

[c21boquetebocasgold]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

Ditto this. Unless they say in the contract that you agree to use a specific contractor, most contracts leave it up to the seller to pick whom they want. I know out here, we give the buyer's a copy of the invoice after the repair is completed as proof of repairs done, but that is after the seller has selected and used the contractor.

It's not how we do things out here, so this part is weird to me.

Originally Posted by shellytc

I absolutely agree with you on this. Your realtor had no biz reviewing bids with the other side, and have them involved in picking them out. UNLESS they stipulated it in their inspection removal contingency addendum. Tell the agent you are picking XX estimate, and if they want the other one, the agents can pay for it out of their money. He had no biz sharing your biz with them.

Shelly

Ditto here as well. I've never even seen a stipulation where a buyer could select which bid or contractor was utilized; only that there were inspection issues they wanted mitigated (maybe language added the work was to be performed by a licensed professional for X type work - something like that). Nor would I EVER, as a listing agent, give a buyer agent copies of 3 different estimates so the buyer could select the one they want (and most likely the most expensive one). As SF said, the repairs get mitigated, receipts that the work has been done are provided - PERIOD.

IMO this really crosses the line on a lot of levels including fiduciary responsibility - the LA responsibility is to represent the seller's best interest; showing a buyer agent copies of 3 different bids was not, IMO, in your best interest as the seller.

Maybe other agents have seen where a buyer has the ability to select a specific company to do the work, but I haven't and I sure haven't heard or seen where a buyer had the right to review the bids (and pick the one they wanted). It will be interesting to get feedback from other agents and Realtors on this.

[Advocate4]

The only thing in the contract is that the Buyer has the right to terminate the contract if a reasonable estimate (obtained by the Buyer) of the cost of the repairs equals or exceeds $3000. "This right may be exercised by Buyer without regard to any decision by Seller to compolete, or refuse to complete, Necessary Repairs."

Our side has obtained the estimates, not the Buyer side. And none of the three estimates we have obtained comes close to $3000.

Other than the above, there is nothing in the contract that indicates in any way that estimates will be shared with the Buyer.

[shellytc]

than ask your agent "what on earth were you thinking?" and "whom do you represent? me or the buyer?" I just would like to see him/her squirm for a few minutes : ) (I know, I am mean!!)

shelly

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by shellytc

than ask your agent "what on earth were you thinking?" and "whom do you represent? me or the buyer?" I just would like to see him/her squirm for a few minutes : ) (I know, I am mean!!)

shelly

I'm with on you this one. That is so weird to me that they would share the estimates.

We don't have a clause like that out here, so maybe it is common practice to share the estimates out there. Doesn't make it legal or right since it seems to violate the listing agent's fiduciary duties to you, but some agents out here do things that violate their fiduciary duties to their clients.

[c21boquetebocasgold]

Originally Posted by shellytc

than ask your agent "what on earth were you thinking?" and "whom do you represent? me or the buyer?" I just would like to see him/her squirm for a few minutes : ) (I know, I am mean!!)

shelly

You're not mean at all, Shelly - just ethical like SF and so many others. Personally I'd do more than just make them squirm, but have lived in PA for 5 years, so probably go Panamanian on their butts. Walked in with buyers of ours one time to 'their attorney's office' and the jerk was having ex parte discussions with the sellers! First words out of my mouth and I'm not exactly known for being soft spoken were: "What the are you doing? You represent our clients and you're having ex parte conversations with the sellers?" Plus I had my look in my eyes. Guy looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car.

[Advocate4]

Originally Posted by c21boquetebocasgold

...Walked in with buyers of ours one time to 'their attorney's office' and the jerk was having ex parte discussions with the sellers! First words out of my mouth and I'm not exactly known for being soft spoken were: "What the are you doing? You represent our clients and you're having ex parte conversations with the sellers?" Plus I had my look in my eyes. Guy looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car.

And then??? And then??? (gotta ask! )

.