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I have had pending in my yard forever. We know from old maps that a spring used to run across the back yard that was bulldozed in by the builder so there's very little that can be done. Aside from a few days of lakefront property after it rains and muddy dog paws, it really doesn't create problems with the house itself (no leaking, no foundation issues).. We're actually scared to mess with it because we don't want to cause any problems...
We decided to back out. The inspection report was a mile long and it appears that they didn't properly maintain the house. In fact some of the items that were on the maintenance end of the inspection report that they are not fixing really should have been on the deficiency portion such as wood rot, the bannister coming out of the wall and the deck that is rotting due to lack of maintenance. We were worried that there would just be more problems in the future due to the way it has been neglected.
Many of the things you point out on the inspection would probably be visible before the inspection (water pooling, banister coming out of wall, deck rotting, etc). Now you know that you are not willing to accept a home with these issues, and you know more about what to look for when viewing a home. It will make it easier for you to decide on a home now.
Remember, a home that is in perfect condition will cost more than a home that is not. Since you're not willing to take on the repairs, be prepared to pay more.
Many of the things you point out on the inspection would probably be visible before the inspection (water pooling, banister coming out of wall, deck rotting, etc). Now you know that you are not willing to accept a home with these issues, and you know more about what to look for when viewing a home. It will make it easier for you to decide on a home now.
Remember, a home that is in perfect condition will cost more than a home that is not. Since you're not willing to take on the repairs, be prepared to pay more.
I agree with NinaN. I've never seen an inspection report that wasn't a mile long. Inspectors are paid to find issues, so they find them. No house is perfect or perfectly maintained, in my experience. Good luck.
The Home Inspector did the job he was hired to do. Educating buyers on the true condition of the home so they can make a financial decision based on facts. This home just had too many deficiencies that the buyers could afford. Repairing simple defects like loose railings should of been done before the home was even listed. Realtors should insist on a Pre listing inspection (Move in Certified)to avoid the last minute negotiations that can derail the sale of the home.
I agree that sellers that do not want to deal with buyers scared off by maintenance issues or grading or age of appliances ought to get a pre-sale inspection and / or a home warranty. One ought to question some sellers / real estate listing agents that let a home be shown with easy to fix issues like a loose handrail when these things are well known "flags" for anyone that has done an FHA deal...
Similarly the sorts of things that some buyers can see with their own eyes, like landscaping, that do not cause them to scratch the home off their list until after they've spent their own money on an inspection are sort of puzzling -- a good buyer's agent ought to help buyers through a mental checklist of what things that are readily apparent constitute a fair trade off at a given price point and which are signs that the property is not appropriate.
Finally, more as general advice than any specific admonition, I have never encountered a surveyor or hydrologist that will do more than offer the vaguest of opinions about the origin of surface water or solutions to mitigate it. This is not like structural engineering reports that will have a licensed PE sign off on remedies that will address a known issue. Water can be effected by storms, changes to neighboring properties, changes in trees and other vegetation as well as hidden underground issues. Sometimes the best way to "fix" some of these problems is to pretty them up but even this can be not work as planned with "water features" needing added maintenance / additional water to look "natural"...
Last edited by chet everett; 03-03-2013 at 08:25 AM..
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