We're Moving to Houston (earthquake, temps, seller)

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Originally Posted by OurMove

It turns out the sellers are a male couple as well and selling due to job relocation to another state. The sellers were kind enough to invite us over to have a detailed overview of the home. To have a seller offer this type of accommodation is unheard of, at least to me.

Marc you're still going to have a professional inspection done on the home correct? Don't take this as a knock on gay men or anything like that, please don't let a sense of familiarity overshadow the buying process. Gay, straight, male, female, whatever... make sure you have the home inspected by a reputable 3rd party inspector (preferably not someone recommended by either agent if you can help it).

[OurMove]

TheMoreYouKnow, thanks for the post and yes before we met the sellers we had an appraisal and thorough inspection completed even though several people told us we didn't need to do an appraisal or inspection since we were not financing and it was a cash deal. There was no way I was buying any home without an appraisal or inspection.

the sellers agreed to handle a list of repairs we presented. There were others items we could have listed but we decided these we could handle ourselves since they were neither structural, foundation, or safety issue. Minor items.

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Originally Posted by OurMove

TheMoreYouKnow, thanks for the post and yes before we met the sellers we had an appraisal and thorough inspection completed even though several people told us we didn't need to do an appraisal or inspection since we were not financing and it was a cash deal. There was no way I was buying any home without an appraisal or inspection.

the sellers agreed to handle a list of repairs we presented. There were others items we could have listed but we decided these we could handle ourselves since they were neither structural, foundation, or safety issue. Minor items.

Well in that case, welcome to Houston!

[mingna]

Welcome to Houston. Lots of nice custom homes amidst plenty of greenery in your neck of the woods.

[OurMove]

Thank you both!

[imback]

I don't know if the closing on your new home has already taken place or not. But if you have not have this done already, I suggest that you have a survey of the property done ASAP.


Survey can turn up surprises of a kind that I hope you don't get.


For example, years ago I was personally involved in a house purchase where a last-minute survey (like the day before closing) showed that the neighbors' fence encroached two feet onto the property we were purchasing. This revelation made for a very, very interesting closing indeed.


Right now, I know of a situation in which a woman planning to tear down her Harvey-flooded house and rebuild has just learned from the pre-construction survey that - you guessed it - the neighbors' fence and shrubbery is also encroaching a foot or more onto her property, enough that it will affect the placement of her new rebuild house. We'll see how that one gets resolved.....


Situations like these are whyI am a believer in pre-purchase surveys.


Also, a survey will also come in very handy later on for getting cost quotes and drawing up plans for any future landscaping, fencing. driveway/sidewalk, or other work of that nature.

[OurMove]

Thanks Imback, sellers were required to provide a property survey done by a licensed professional prior to closing. We received the survey today, thank goodness!

[fat shady]

Why Houston? Must be for work.
Partner? As Seinfeld said in episode 57..."not that there's anything wrong with that"
Trucks, clean yard, you'll want to be in Sugar Land. or look into Willow Meadows

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_Meadows,_Houston

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Marc stop me if I'm wrong but I'd guess that you guys might not be 100% up to speed on hurricane/storm prep. We've got a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico which has a pretty good chance of organizing. Are you ready for a storm?

[OurMove]

Themoreyouknow, thanks for reaching out. I can’t say we’re ready for this type of event since we have never been through this type of storm.

We have an adequate amount of ER supplies that we brought from CA, being earthquake territory we were as prepared as we could be.

The sellers are leaving a 2 year old rather large generator at the home. I plan to buy some additional supplies tomorrow. We’re also supposed to move in this weekend but with predictions of a storm, I am not sure we’ll be able to but I will see.

Any other tips/advice?