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juanvi
Get Out!
Member since 10/06 4463 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Mold in the house we are buying
The sellers of the house we're buying are disgusting. Not only were the listed taxes false (we were still willing to buy the house) but the inspector found mold and they don't want to fix the mold problem. Are they kidding? How do they expect us to get a mortgage? I'm just done.  Anyone have a mold issue that wasn't taken care of? I'm not buying that house if it's not taken are of.
thanks for "listening"
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Posted 2/25/13 5:57 PM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
I would not trust people like this to take care of it. What caused the mold?
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| Posted 2/25/13 6:59 PM |
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cantwait84
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 106 total posts
Name:
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Mold in the house we are buying
Personally, I would walk away. Not worth the headache.
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| Posted 2/25/13 7:21 PM |
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juanvi
Get Out!
Member since 10/06 4463 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Posted by Goobster
I would not trust people like this to take care of it. What caused the mold?
My father said he had the same issue in his house(they are oth splits) water seeps in between the brink and shingles. They need to seal the issues and replace the wall and remove mold. Their agent just texted my husband to pls sign the contract as their Attorney is on vacation next week, like I care
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| Posted 2/25/13 8:13 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Posted by juanvi
Posted by Goobster
I would not trust people like this to take care of it. What caused the mold?
My father said he had the same issue in his house(they are oth splits) water seeps in between the brink and shingles. They need to seal the issues and replace the wall and remove mold. Their agent just texted my husband to pls sign the contract as their Attorney is on vacation next week, like I care
I would never buy this house personally.
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| Posted 2/25/13 8:54 PM |
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Did the inspector definitively find mold? Is it confined to one area? I know you said it is an issue of water seepage between the brick and shingles, but I have a split and have sold many splits, and have never had that particular issue come up in any inspection. (I've had other mold issues come up, of course, but not that specific thing.)
I find a lot of home inspectors don't make a diagnosis, so to speak, but just point out what "might" be mold and require further investigation. That's why I was asking if the home inspector identified a specific problem in the report or just raised a red flag about a potential problem.
Would you consider having a specialist - mold inspection/mold remediation company come in to create a report re: where the problem is, how pervasive it is, and give a recommended solution and cost estimate to remediate the issue? I find it easier to negotiate home inspection items with sellers (when I am a buyer's agent) when you are dealing with concrete facts and known costs.
Also, if they are not willing to do the work, perhaps they will be willing to give you a credit back to cover all (or even some) of the cost of doing the repair yourself, which may be preferable since it sounds like you don't like or trust the sellers.
Do you have a buyer's agent who can help you navigate this situation, or are you going through the listing agent, who has to represent the seller's interests?
Unfortunately, when it comes to requested home repairs, the seller can refuse to address them in any way, and then the buyer just has to decide if they want the house or not. But before you draw a line in the sand and walk away, I would see if you can find a satisfactory compromise, especially if you love the house. The market is heating up and it's getting very competitive for buyers out there. So you have to decide if it's worth it to lose the house over this issue. And it may be!
But I would try not to let your feelings about the seller overshadow everything,. Because if you like the house, you will be happy living in it long after the sellers are out of your life (trust me, I know from personal experience).
Also, just as a PSA - Always verify taxes before you make an offer! Even if the seller is not deliberately misrepresenting them, mistakes are made. Often the listing agent will fill in the taxes, but make a mathematical error, fail to update them, list them with exemptions, etc. And it's the buyer's responsibility to verify all information on the listing, including taxes. Do NOT ever rely on what is on the listing sheet.
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| Posted 2/25/13 8:59 PM |
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juanvi
Get Out!
Member since 10/06 4463 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Christine, It is most definitely the sellers responsibilty to remove the mold. If the bank finds out about it they will not fund a mortgage.
I also personally think a realtor that shows taxes that are not accurate is not doing their job properly. Yes we should verify as well. I guess for me its more of an issue with the house if we walk away because the seller refuses to do their job. And that is sad because i love the house and location and they wasted my time.
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| Posted 2/26/13 10:07 AM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Mold in the house we are buying
Walk. They can do a shit job out of spite and then you'll have bigger issues. It can be in the walls, insulation, floors. Walk.
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| Posted 2/26/13 10:22 AM |
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Posted by juanvi
Christine, It is most definitely the sellers responsibilty to remove the mold. If the bank finds out about it they will not fund a mortgage.
I also personally think a realtor that shows taxes that are not accurate is not doing their job properly. Yes we should verify as well. I guess for me its more of an issue with the house if we walk away because the seller refuses to do their job. And that is sad because i love the house and location and they wasted my time.
Of course - the seller "should" address mold or any other safety hazard in the house. I wasn't challenging you or suggesting your request was unreasonable, so I am sorry if it came across that way.
But I just know, from working on many transactions, that sometimes it's not as black and white. I recently had a buyer lose a home because LIVE termites were found during the inspection, and we had requested that issue be taken care of by the seller (with a baiting system). Meanwhile, another buyer came in and offered more money and waived any repairs. Are termites squarely in the seller's court to repair?- YES. But did my buyers get the house? NO. The sellers took the other offer. Not sure how it will work when other buyers go to get a mortgage, but maybe they figure the buyers will pay for the cost of any termite remediation. In your case, the sellers may figure that another buyer won't find the same issue, or will agree to handle the mold issue themselves.
So I am not trying to advocate that the seller's position is correct, or minimize the mold issue (which can be very serious) but just pointing out that the don't "have" to do anything, but you also don't "have" to buy the house. You have to be comfortable with the house and the circumstances of the sale, and it sounds like you are not. It can be really challenging when there are bad feelings and mistrust between a buyer and seller -- it pervades all aspects of the deal!
If you did want to try to make it work - because you love the location, I was just suggesting that you be as specific as possible with the sellers about where the problem is, what you want done -- showing them the key pages of the report if it was conclusive. Maybe you can even offer to get a cost estimate for repair, and once the sellers have all that info, they may agree to do it OR give you a credit back at closing to do it. If the inspector's report wasn't conclusive, you could always see if you could get a mold specialist to come in. Again - not your obligation to do so, but I am just suggesting some avenues of negotiation that have been successful for me in the past.
As far as the bank - You would be surprised at what sometimes slides and what sometimes is a problem. It really depends on the appraiser - but most of them do a cursory review of the house and will not pick up on something that is not obvious. The bank will require a termite inspection, but that's usually all they look into. And then if there are obvious issues (holes in the walls, dangling wires, etc.) that can be an issue. I don't know how obvious and pervasive the mold problem is, but it may not be something that your bank even picks up on.
I completely agree that the listing agent should list the correct taxes. But there is human error, laziness, etc. that comes into play -- or some agents choose to list the taxes with exemptions even though everyone may not qualify for them. It's not right, but it's the reality, and I always make my clients aware that we need to verify everything. It's very frustrating to me as an agent as well, but that's the way it is!
Hang in there! I hope it works out, or you find a home you like even more if it doesn't.
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| Posted 2/26/13 10:46 AM |
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Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
It's easier said than done but I would absolutely walk away at this point....even if you love the house and the location.
Mold is not something to mess around with and since you can't trust the seller and you can't be sure of what you're really dealing with until you are in the house, it isn't worth the risk.
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| Posted 2/26/13 1:54 PM |
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Pray4Baby2010
<3 Cutest Giants Fan
Member since 10/09 5796 total posts
Name:
MB
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Posted by JennZ
Walk. They can do a shit job out of spite and then you'll have bigger issues. It can be in the walls, insulation, floors. Walk.
ITA- they've already been caught on 2 issues- I'd hate to know what else is lurking
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| Posted 2/26/13 2:10 PM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4289 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
I have to agree with most everyone. Think aout a few things.
1. They are disgusting (I assume the way they are living right??)
2. If they are disgusting they probably have not maintained ANYTHING on the house.
3. It could be a small mold problem. It could be a LARGE mold problem.
4. If they are flat out refusing to do anything, what makes you think they care about this house?? My GUT tells me there WILL be problems once you purchase.
Based on tem being gross, and mold (big or small) and their refusal to do anything, I wouold walk away.
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| Posted 2/26/13 2:37 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
I agree with the most recent posts and you are asking for big (and probably expensive) trouble if you sign that contract and purchase this house. Buy at your own risk if you wish to proceed.
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| Posted 2/26/13 4:32 PM |
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juanvi
Get Out!
Member since 10/06 4463 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
Posted by juanvi
Christine, It is most definitely the sellers responsibilty to remove the mold. If the bank finds out about it they will not fund a mortgage.
I also personally think a realtor that shows taxes that are not accurate is not doing their job properly. Yes we should verify as well. I guess for me its more of an issue with the house if we walk away because the seller refuses to do their job. And that is sad because i love the house and location and they wasted my time.
Of course - the seller "should" address mold or any other safety hazard in the house. I wasn't challenging you or suggesting your request was unreasonable, so I am sorry if it came across that way.
But I just know, from working on many transactions, that sometimes it's not as black and white. I recently had a buyer lose a home because LIVE termites were found during the inspection, and we had requested that issue be taken care of by the seller (with a baiting system). Meanwhile, another buyer came in and offered more money and waived any repairs. Are termites squarely in the seller's court to repair?- YES. But did my buyers get the house? NO. The sellers took the other offer. Not sure how it will work when other buyers go to get a mortgage, but maybe they figure the buyers will pay for the cost of any termite remediation. In your case, the sellers may figure that another buyer won't find the same issue, or will agree to handle the mold issue themselves.
So I am not trying to advocate that the seller's position is correct, or minimize the mold issue (which can be very serious) but just pointing out that the don't "have" to do anything, but you also don't "have" to buy the house. You have to be comfortable with the house and the circumstances of the sale, and it sounds like you are not. It can be really challenging when there are bad feelings and mistrust between a buyer and seller -- it pervades all aspects of the deal!
If you did want to try to make it work - because you love the location, I was just suggesting that you be as specific as possible with the sellers about where the problem is, what you want done -- showing them the key pages of the report if it was conclusive. Maybe you can even offer to get a cost estimate for repair, and once the sellers have all that info, they may agree to do it OR give you a credit back at closing to do it. If the inspector's report wasn't conclusive, you could always see if you could get a mold specialist to come in. Again - not your obligation to do so, but I am just suggesting some avenues of negotiation that have been successful for me in the past.
As far as the bank - You would be surprised at what sometimes slides and what sometimes is a problem. It really depends on the appraiser - but most of them do a cursory review of the house and will not pick up on something that is not obvious. The bank will require a termite inspection, but that's usually all they look into. And then if there are obvious issues (holes in the walls, dangling wires, etc.) that can be an issue. I don't know how obvious and pervasive the mold problem is, but it may not be something that your bank even picks up on.
I completely agree that the listing agent should list the correct taxes. But there is human error, laziness, etc. that comes into play -- or some agents choose to list the taxes with exemptions even though everyone may not qualify for them. It's not right, but it's the reality, and I always make my clients aware that we need to verify everything. It's very frustrating to me as an agent as well, but that's the way it is!
Hang in there! I hope it works out, or you find a home you like even more if it doesn't.
Thank u and i appreciate your advice as well as everyone else's
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| Posted 2/26/13 4:48 PM |
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jennyal
LIF Adult
Member since 8/07 1430 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
we walked away from a house that accepted our offer and later found mold in the basement during the inspection
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| Posted 2/26/13 6:25 PM |
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ANR1211
My loves
Member since 2/11 2131 total posts
Name:
A
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Mold in the house we are buying
Mold can be taken care of. Ask for money off. If they refuse, walk away! Good luck!!!!!
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| Posted 2/26/13 10:54 PM |
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LovesMike
LIF Adult
Member since 8/10 978 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Dh and I walked from a house with mold issues in the basement. We found mold during the inspection and had a specialized mold company come in to tell us how bad it was. The seller, a contractor flipping the house, had already removed the affected sheetrock by the time we brought in the company to test the air and thought he solved the problem, but it required proper remediation. Also, the problem was moisture getting in through the foundation, which was no small fix and not something he was willing to deal with. We walked. He sold the house to a couple we know (didnt know they were buying this house) with two small kids. We let them know our findings, but it was too late, they already closed and we came to learn they had waived the inspection! We ended up spending about $1k on a house we didn't get, but think it was money well spent.
As pp said, mold can be taken care of, but it's also a matter of fixing the source problem, not just the mold. GL!
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| Posted 2/27/13 8:30 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Mold in the house we are buying
Walk away...walk away...walk away.
You don't mess with mold.
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| Posted 2/27/13 12:44 PM |
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marianne13
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/10 887 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mold in the house we are buying
Posted by ANR1211
Mold can be taken care of. Ask for money off. If they refuse, walk away! Good luck!!!!!
This. If they won't remove the mold, as them to lower the price by the amount that it will cost you to remove it.
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| Posted 2/27/13 1:18 PM |
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