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How 'scary' does this list of repairs look to you?
We are getting discouraged by the new home.. this is the list of repairs we requested from the sellers. Basically they only agreed to fireproof the garage, fix the electrical issues, and put in the GFCI outlet. And they won't hire someone, will only do the repairs themselves. They won't do anything about the mold - said it's 'insignifant'. Basically, the sellers are out of $$ and can't afford to put any more money into the home. MH and I already agreed they really need to fix the mold issue, and the electrical issues by a licensed contractor or we walk. I really don't want to walk but know we need to stick to our guns.. at the same time this is our first time buying a home so I don't know how serious or expensive this list will be for us.
1. The sloped decorative roof/shingles require repair or replacement.
2. The lower walls (hardwood) by the front door needs repair or replacement.
3. The vinyl siding which is missing/loose must be completed.
4. The fireproofing of walls and ceilings in the garage is required.
5. The electrical wiring to and from the electrical panel in the garage must be repaired.
6. The electric thermostat and light switch must be moved from the closet in the rear bedroom.
7. Removal of mold by a licensed mold remediator and installation of additional ventilation is required in the attic.
8. The temporary connections of wastewater piping in the walls must be corrected.
9. A guardrail must be installed on the staircase and the banister tightened.
10. The hot water heater needs replacement.
11. The steps leading to the house are a trip hazard and must be repaired.
12. The missing portion of fencing from where the pool is located must be installed.
13. The deck railings on the deck must be completed.
14. The second floor tub requires a GFCI outlet.
Re: How 'scary' does this list of repairs look to you?
It sounds like this: A: They have tried to DIY and failed. B: They have let their home maintenace slip and have not kept up.
It's a long (and significant) list. And, the fact that they want to DIY still, freaks me out. I would not trust that given the current lapses in care and upkeep that they are able to or care to do a top-notch job...or even a decent, average job.
Mold...TEMPORARY wastewater piping (WTH?!?) How do you have temporary poop removal?????????
We feel the exact same way, that we think they tried to DIY and failed. And this is exactly the argument I made to MH. I would rather walk than let them touch the house any further.
IMO, here's how I'd feel about it.
Small problem
The sloped decorative roof/shingles require repair or replacement. (Is he talking one or two shingles or the whole roof? His wording is strange for it to be the whole roof. If it's the whole roof, look at comps to see if it was accounted for in pricing.)
2. The lower walls (hardwood) by the front door needs repair or replacement
The vinyl siding which is missing/loose must be completed. (I'm assuming one or two planks and not giant chunks.)
The electric thermostat and light switch must be moved from the closet in the rear bedroom. (Completely insignificant unless this is code in your area)
The hot water heater needs replacement. (tough cookies for you - you knew looking at the house that it was X years old and would have older appliances - conceivably the house is priced accordingly)
The steps leading to the house are a trip hazard and must be repaired.
The second floor tub requires a GFCI outlet. (Every house everywhere needs a GFCI replaced somewhere in it.)
Medium problem
A guardrail must be installed on the staircase and the banister tightened. (safety bc you have kids)
The temporary connections of wastewater piping in the walls must be corrected.
The missing portion of fencing from where the pool is located must be installed. (safety bc you have kids and can be liable on insurance if neighborhood kids get in accidentally and drown)
The deck railings on the deck must be completed. (safety bc you have kids)
Big problem
The fireproofing of walls and ceilings in the garage is required.
Removal of mold by a licensed mold remediator and installation of additional ventilation is required in the attic.
Inspectors are paid to find everything wrong with a house. Not all of it is a big deal. When we bought our last house, they said the same thing about the railings and I couldn't care less because we don't have kids and kids never visit our house. Don't freak about the little stuff. Do walk if the expense is too much for you - never overpay for a house - you'll regret it.
My Pinterest
The Googlesites Paint Bio
Thinking of doing cosmetic updates to a dated home? These were our costs.
I agree with this almost exactly, except the railing on the stairs shouldn't be on your list, you must have noticed there wasn't a railing when you looked at the house.
I would ask for some of those items but I do think your being a little aggressive about the repairs. Ultimately though if they won't take care of the big problems and you don't feel comfortable buying unless they do than stick to it and walk.
FWIW, we had a 75 page inspection report, and only asked for 3 things to be fixed. We decided on a cash credit for repairs and accepted that. We felt that since we got such a great price on the house and it was our ideal location, we will just take care of the other stuff ourselves.
I agree with the others that some of this stuff probably should've been left off. No house is perfect, and do you really want the sellers picking out your new water heater? I promise they go with the cheapest one they can get. I would focus on the fireproofing, plumbing issues, mold and the wiring. Insist on professional work and if they won't do it, threaten to walk.
4.
The mold is the only thing I would ask to be fixed. (Our mortgage company wouldn't actually give us the mortgage at first because the inspector wrote that there "maybe" mold in the bathroom in the basement.)
We paid for a company to come in and look at the area where the inspector said that there "maybe" mold and they said that there wasn't any mold there so they wrote up the report and I emailed a copy to our mortgage broker and they approved the mortgage.
I would walk without the mold problem being professionally remediated. I'm not sure if there is a way to know how extensive the problem is behind walls without taking them down. Maybe there is and your inspector checked, like I said I'm not sure, but mold scares me.
I would also want the wiring fixed and possibly the plumbing problem, but I don't really see the rest of it as a big deal or things you couldn't do yourselves.