Zero Lot Line House (credit, homebuyer, home inspection)

[queenofmn]

I have a friend who is looking to buy her first house. She doesn't have a lot of time for yard up keep. She found a great house, built in 2004, in her price range in the Opryland area. After the home inspection, there became a question about the fact that the neighbor's fence goes directly to her wall, and uses her wall to enclose the 2 ends of the fence. Within that fence are a breaker box and water faucet that are attached to the house she is looking to buy. Outside of the fence, but on that same wall is her heating and air unit.

The realtor was concerned about where the property line is and they did a survey. It turns out that side of the house was built on the property line. I understand this is common, but that then means that 1) she has no access to the breaker box and water faucet on that side of the house and 2) the heating and air until is actually on the neighbor's property.

If they are able to get the neighbor to agree to an easement, does that solve these issues?

I wonder how could this have happened? Has anyone else had experiance with this type of issue? She is about to walk away from the deal, but my concern is she loves the house and is running out of time to take advantage of the first time homebuyer's credit as well.

[rossc]

A zero lot line home is actually two separately deeded properties in one structure that share a property line where the property line runs down the middle of the structure. Each unit should have it's own utilities and HVAC and those should be on the same side of the property line.

It sounds like a potential mess. I would walk away or have the owner move the utilities to the proper location prior to closing.

[septimus]

are you sure she doesn't have an easement or vice versa to access the meters?

[rossc]

It doesn't smell right. If this was built as a zero lot line home, it never would have passed inspection with the utilities and HVAC on the wrong side.

[queenofmn]

Yes, they checked the deed and the home owner's association and there is no easement. I have now idea how this could have passed, but sounds like she is walking away. I just hope she can find something else and get a contract before 4/30 now! It's a real unfortunate situation.