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A plug in type electric heater is not considered a heated space. I could put one in my attic, but it doesn't make it a finished, heated attic.
Heated basement would consist of air ducts, hot water radiators, or permanently wired electric baseboard.
I could see how it could get missed. The home inspector really wouldn't be privy to the fact the basement was listed as heated on the listing. He just walks in, tests the heating system, and notes than it works.
Wouldn't the inspector note that the space heater is operable in his report?
I just can't understand a home inspector not noting the heat source was portable, not permanent. I guess it depends on a given state's requirements?
A plug in type electric heater is not considered a heated space. I could put one in my attic, but it doesn't make it a finished, heated attic.
I think you have a legitimate gripe that the basement was listed as heated, but discovered it was not. I'd talk to your real estate attorney however, rather than get advice from an internet forum
BostonMike7, Thanks. I did speak to our atty this morning and he's looking into it.
About asking on internet forums, it's what I had at the time I found out (past business hours) and thought there might be knowledgeable people here so I could gather info. It's been helpful.
Usually the listing says that the information is not guaranteed accurate and that buyers should verify.
> Wouldn't the inspector note that the space heater is operable in his report?
At least some inspectors (mine, recently) specifically do not test appliances.
Having said this- it is clear the seller was at least stretching the truth. Personally I think it is crazy to risk future disputes in this way. The seller is not required to answer questions not asked but affirmatively attempting to confuse is unwise in my opinion.
We just closed on our first home last week. We're having work done and will be moving in a couple of weeks. We were down there today and turned on the heat. The house warmed up nicely. Went to the basement which was really cold. We looked around for vents and didn't see any. We left and then asked our realtor. She said it was in the seller's disclosure that the basement was heated. I looked at the photos and see a stand alone kind of electric furnace. about 2'long x 1' high. I didn't see that when we were there so maybe it's there or maybe they took it.
Whichever is the case, is that considered a heated basement? I thought a heated basement meant that it was heated in a way a house would be heated.
And now what can we do? Just eat it and pay for ducts or whatever? We bought this house a lot because my husband can have his grand piano down there so stable heat is very important.
Thanks!
Is the basement finished? If it is unfinished, then it sounds like what the previous owner had is fine. You may not have seen the electric furnace because you weren't looking for it. Now that you have the dimensions, look around the basement for it!
If it a finished basement, well that's a different story. At least, where I live, it's a different story. There would be duct work for forced hot air or baseboards for hot water or electric heat.
Heating a basement is pretty simple since the furnace is typically right there and the ceiling is all open - easy access. However, if the basement isn't finished, there isn't much point to heating it since there's no insulation.
Sounds like a whole bunch of people dropped the ball on the heated basement. You, your realtor, your inspector.
Is the basement finished? If it is unfinished, then it sounds like what the previous owner had is fine. You may not have seen the electric furnace because you weren't looking for it. Now that you have the dimensions, look around the basement for it!
If it a finished basement, well that's a different story. At least, where I live, it's a different story. There would be duct work for forced hot air or baseboards for hot water or electric heat.
Heating a basement is pretty simple since the furnace is typically right there and the ceiling is all open - easy access. However, if the basement isn't finished, there isn't much point to heating it since there's no insulation.
Sounds like a whole bunch of people dropped the ball on the heated basement. You, your realtor, your inspector.
As I said in the subject line, it's a finished basement. In the MLS it says finished and heated as well as in the seller's disclosure.
About the piano.This is something I've been concerned about. It's not just a grand piano but a $20K grand piano. My husband insists a basement is fine. Even when I wanted him to speak to a piano specialist. There's not much more I can do about this and hope he knows what he's talking about. I mean this is his first love. (I come second!)
But how would he get it through a 3' opening and down the basement stairs? It's much too heavy to carry down there, and much too large to fit into the stair opening.
But how would he get it through a 3' opening and down the basement stairs? It's much too heavy to carry down there, and much too large to fit into the stair opening.
Through the garage to basement. Legs come off of pianos. I must come off as a total idiot that we wouldn't think of this? OK no need to respond.
Through the garage to basement. Legs come off of pianos. I must come off as a total idiot that we wouldn't think of this? OK no need to respond.
I can't believe I took the time to read through 3 pages just to find that out!
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