Would you have walked away from this? Inspection report (termites, rodent, and water damage).. (stucco, foreclosure)

[Divine_Madcat]

Long story short.. after our inspection for a purchase yesterday, I told the realtor we are going to walk on the property. We got a long list of concerns, though I know many are cosmetic..

Significant Concerns
Safety Concerns
Electrical
1. Electric Service Panel(Attached Garage): Exposed wiring- QC
2. GFCI(Attached Garage, Kitchen): Not present
3. GFCI(Exterior: Ground View): Not present outside where they are required
4. GFCI(Exterior: Ground View): Not tripping or resetting using tester
5. Smoke Alarm(Master Bedroom, Hallway and Stairs): Missing
6. Wiring(Attic): Sheathing on the electrical wires had damage consistent with rodent gnawing
Items Not Operating
Electrical
7. Outlet(Family Room): Appears to have no power
Major Concerns
Landscaping and Hardscaping
8. Landscape Feature(Exterior: Roof View, Exterior: Ground View): Tree branches are in
contact with building
Building Structure
9. Truss(Attic): Damaged
Electrical
10. Electric Service Panel(Attached Garage): Rodent carcass
HVAC
11. Ductwork(Attic): Air leakage at connection(s)
Plumbing
12. Main water valve(Exterior: Ground View): Rusted
13. Water Pipe(Master Bathroom): High moisture meter reading.
Room Components
14. Floor(Master Bedroom): High moisture meter reading
15. Truss(Attic): Possible wood destroying organisms
Plumbing
16. Plumbing Vent(Exterior: Roof View): Cast Iron Pipe
Room Components
17. Exterior door(Family Room): Keyed egress.
18. Window(Family Room, 2nd Bedroom): Obstructed. Inspection restriction.
Items to Monitor
None
Maintenance Items
Building Exterior
19. Eave(Exterior: Ground View): Fascia wood is rotted
20. Eave(Exterior: Ground View): Soffit is warped
21. Eave(Exterior: Ground View): Wood soffit is damaged
22. Eave(Exterior: Ground View): Wood soffit has hole.
23. Exhaust Vent(Exterior: Ground View): Located within 3 feet of HVAC condenser.
24. Gutter(Exterior: Ground View): No gutters
25. Siding(Exterior: Ground View): Mortar has step cracks
26. Siding(Exterior: Ground View): Paint or stain was peeling, worn or faded
27. Siding(Exterior: Ground View): Stucco was cracked
Balconies, Decks and Porches
28. Balcony, Deck or Porch(Exterior: Ground View): Tile is cracked
Landscaping and Hardscaping
29. Landscape Feature(Exterior: Roof View, Exterior: Ground View): Tree branches were
hanging over building
Roof
30. Roof Material(Exterior: Roof View): Excessive debris.
31. Roof Material(Exterior: Roof View): Exhibits pooling water or stain pattern indicative of pooling
water.
Building Structure
32. Slab(Exterior: Ground View): Soil is washed out from under slab
Insulation and Ventilation
33. Insulation(Attic): Level is low in one or more areas
34. Insulation(Attic): Rodent droppings observed in attic
Electrical
35. Light Fixture(Master Bathroom, Exterior: Ground View): Bulb(s) is burnt out
36. Light Fixture(Exterior: Ground View): Rusting
37. Light Fixture(Master Bathroom): Cover, shades, or non-electircal componentry is missing or
damaged
Appliances
38. Oven/Range(Kitchen): In need of cleaning
HVAC
39. Air Handler(Attic): Drain pan was rusted

The big one really was the termite damage.. no less than 4 trusses were hit, and they couldn't exclude others did not have a problem. There was also rodent signs (including a carcass in the electrical panel), as well as an unexplained wet spot in the master bathroom (inspector was concerned about a leak).. The current owners did not disclose any termite treatment or damage, but it is plainly obvious as soon as you open the attic.

I attached some of the worst shots, but there are others. I am not a first time buyer, but haven't dealt with issues like this, so I am afraid I am too jumpy. A contractor I asked informally said to run, but that was just a friendly opinion..

[anononcty]

Unless this is a bargain basement foreclosure or something yes it was probably best to walk especially with all that wood damage. You probably be starting with $5K in carpentry for the wood damage. And landscaping, yes a tree should not be in contact with roof-another $3K.

Sounds like the house was unoccuppied or had a senior living their for a while.

Was there a record of a termite treatment?

This all involves the basic infrastructure of a house. I don't wether you were looking for a fixer to live or flip but if you do buy plan on economy or basic bathroom & kitchen. I wouldn't bother with HGTV here. Just get the basics repaired and make the house usable/livable-not stylish.

[Divine_Madcat]

Originally Posted by anononcty

Unless this is a bargain basement foreclosure or something yes it was probably best to walk especially with all that wood damage. You probably be starting with $5K in carpentry for the wood damage. And landscaping, yes a tree should not be in contact with roof-another $3K.

Sounds like the house was unoccuppied or had a senior living their for a while.

Was there a record of a termite treatment?

This all involves the basic infrastructure of a house. I don't wether you were looking for a fixer to live or flip but if you do buy plan on economy or basic bathroom & kitchen. I wouldn't bother with HGTV here. Just get the basics repaired and make the house usable/livable-not stylish.

Nope, this was a 1650sqf in Tampa Bay for $269k. Being sold as ready to move in to, etc. It was on the market for 130 days, with their agent citing pet smell as a reason for a tough sell. There was odor, but nothing a cleaning and paint wouldn't take.

Oddly in this case, it seems to be a regular family of 4. But looking around, I saw lots of signs of neglect, and the report ( I didn't post all the findings) back that up. No maintenance was done since they bought it.

There is also a pest control sticker dated to the time of the last closing, but it didn't say what was done..

[RamenAddict]

Originally Posted by Divine_Madcat

Nope, this was a 1650sqf in Tampa Bay for $269k. Being sold as ready to move in to, etc. It was on the market for 130 days, with their agent citing pet smell as a reason for a tough sell. There was odor, but nothing a cleaning and paint wouldn't take.

Oddly in this case, it seems to be a regular family of 4. But looking around, I saw lots of signs of neglect, and the report ( I didn't post all the findings) back that up. No maintenance was done since they bought it.

There is also a pest control sticker dated to the time of the last closing, but it didn't say what was done..

This is separate from your wood destroying organism inspection?

[Divine_Madcat]

Originally Posted by RamenAddict

This is separate from your wood destroying organism inspection?

So, we had a WDO inspection, but it doesn't tell anything different from the general inspection. And we don't know what the previous pest company did

[beb0p]

All real estate is local. What's acceptable in my area may be different from yours.

At any rate, what I see is pretty typical stuff in my area of a house that is 15+ years old and the owner didn't pay attention (most don't).

I'd factor how much it'd cost to repair and ask the seller for credit. I expect a big credit for all the stuff I have to fix.

For the right price, I'd buy any house.

.

[jghorton]

Can you possibly get an inspection report from the last time the property sold (realtor, owner, inspection firm)? That would give you a sense of how serious these things are and how much further deterioration has been experienced.

The provided list also seems a bit nit-picky, or at least to use 2-3 line items to reference one problem. Can your realtor find out of this inspector has done similar lists on other properties?

Nevertheless, there seem to be a few serious and potentially serious and expensive issues that should be dealt with. The question here is whether the price you pay, plus the necessary repairs, is still in-line with the market ... AND, of course, whether you really want the property.

[Ted Bear]

What would similar homes in the area go for, without, presumably, similar issues? That might be your benchmark on whether you are getting enough of a discount to undertake this project.

With that list, and as soon as you have significant termite and electrical system damage, you are facing a real possibly of significant expense. Measure your discount against fair market value and go from there.

You are quite possibly looking at a "fixer upper" situation from what you have shown us. Caveat Emptor.

[NORTY FLATZ]

I'd only be only slightly interested in this property if it was worth more than I paid to tear it down. There's too many properties that aren't neglected.

[anononcty]

Almost sounds like a rental even if not zoned or permitted for one.