Was 25 and super nervous, so when the realtor was like “oh yeah they just check for basic stuff, but I looked around and it looks great” I was like “Oh okay, this is so astronomically expensive every penny saved is good…”
Everything has been great as far as I can tell. House was built like 40 years ago but super well maintained it seemed and I’ve been super happy. But just curious if maybe I should hire someone to make sure there was nothing outstanding from back then, and no major issues have popped up in the last couple years like leaks/foundation issues, the like.
Is that crazy? Is it weird to call and be like “I’m not selling, I just wanna make sure there are no issues I need to address before they get worse”
Is there a certain type of inspector I should get? I know some inspectors are notoriously lazy.
Also I moved in 2 weeks before covid lock downs happened for time line stuff.
Always make the sale contingent on an inspection (and also on the sale of your current house,)
A full inspection covers all sorts of things, many of which are regulated and mandated in specific locations. Here’s a basic article on it
It’s not weird to get one if you haven’t before, and it’s a good idea. They can also point out code violations (and I’m not sure how expensive that can get… they may mandate you fix it. It may just be a reconditioned you fix it.)(and if you ever need to get a permit, the mandatory inspection that frequently happens with that is a bad time to find out.)
They can also point out code violations (and I’m not sure how expensive that can get… they may mandate you fix it
That’s a reason not to get it tho…
My Mom sold without an inspection because of little things like putting a ceiling fan on a dimmer to control the speed of the fan.
Everything was done by licensed contractors, just small town bullshit where people do what they want. Especially when a house hasn’t been sold for 50 years, small stuff like that adds up until a sale happens.
Could she have updated everything that was like that before the sale? Sure, but it would have been a huge hassle and in today’s market she could just sell “as is” with no hit to price.
Now, as a buyer would I trust a seller I didn’t know?
Fuck no.
But I grew up in that house, I know what happened.
Everything was done by licensed contractors, just small town bullshit where people do what they want. Especially when a house hasn’t been sold for 50 years, small stuff like that adds up until a sale happens.
Could she have updated everything that was like that before the sale? Sure, but it would have been a huge hassle and in today’s market she could just sell “as is” with no hit to price.
First off… depending on how the dimmer switch controls speed, that could be a great way to burn out a fan- most switches are for lights and adjust voltage. Fan motors expect a certain voltage and instead use amperage to adjust speed.
That’s why typical dimmer switches violate code.
It’s not something virtually any inspector is going to gig you harshly on (compared to say a severe gas leak.)
It’d also something you’re going to want to know about if you ever have to remodel or potentially sell.
As a seller, there are usually mandatory disclosure laws. Failing to disclose something that’s found after they move in- even in “as is”‘contracts can potentially lead to massive legal costs. The kind that, even if you win, you still lose.
But the OP’s perspective is as a buyer, not a seller and the games you’re talking about playing… yeah. That’s exactly why buyers should always make it contingent on inspection.
But the OP’s perspective is as a buyer,
You didn’t even make it all the way thru my comment before deciding to weigh in, did you?
Now, as a buyer would I trust a seller I didn’t know?
Fuck no.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen your account do this stupid shit, but it’s the last time I’ll ever see you do anything.
Or most of the west coast, or pretty much any major city st this point it seems.
@ericbomb Don’t get one now to make up for what you skipped back then, get one now as a checkup for what you might need to fix and for what you need to keep an eye on.
And don’t be surprised at the prices on actual fixes not just shitty band-aids. They’re crazy expensive.
Ex. My home builder didn’t put a sump pump in our new build (and honestly, they should’ve forced us to have a few) and we didn’t know this would be an issue. In the monsoon season we got flooding, yay. A permanent fix with a lifetime warranty of 3 sumps was $25K. If we had put it in during building it would’ve been a few thousand. Peace of mind is typically gonna cost you.
If you have a basement I’d recommend they check the foundation. Have a plumber check your system (PRV, expansion tank, water heater, valves, toilets, drain lines). If it’s an older house have them check the electrical panel and wiring. They don’t last forever and can cause fires. How is the roof doing? HVAC system? Etc. Find an inspector that can do a thorough inspection because they’re are some lazy ones out there or people who just don’t know what to really look for. Ideally you contact each trade to give you an in depth diagnosis.
We got an inspection on both ends, when we purchased (was required by the lender) and an appraisal, too. A pre-sale inspection should indicate to you if you have any lurking problems that will come up during sale if you don’t know about them and could jeopardize a deal.
I’m not trying to give you shit here OP, you did what you did 4 years ago and you’re thinking of doing something about it now so it’s all good, but:
this is so astronomically expensive every penny saved is good…”
This is so astronomically expensive that I can’t imagine caring about 300 bucks to see if anything is horrifically wrong with it. Seriously folks, get an inspection if you’re buying a house! This would be like, I dunno, taking a job without talking to a single person who works there, except at least with the job you can quit without wasting thousands of dollars! The inspection could save your life!
I might have cancer but it’s so expensive to actually find out. I’d rather just ride it out and wait until the damage becomes irreversible…
Get the inspection!!
I can only provide anecdotal experience, but my old girl found her dream house. Old mining cottage type terraced house, immaculate renovation inside, great hillside views, nice enough place overall…
…she instructed her surveyor to have a look and he told her to run like fuck, the shared wall was pretty much the only thing keeping the house upright - his words were clearly a reduction of some larger issues, but that saved a repair and insurance nightmare.
They’re pricey, yes - but they can save you an exponentially larger amount of money.
I was saved by an inspection as well. Not to pile on but you should just get it done OP. Also FUCK YOUR REALTOR (they’re very sleazy/immoral - you should not have coitus with them). There are several reasons why realtors hate inspections and any good realtor will insist you get one.
When you buy a used car through a private party, you have a mechanic check it over for two reasons:
- You want to make sure you aren’t overpaying (because repairs are needed)
- You want to make sure it’s safe and doesn’t need immediate maintenance
It’s the same for a house. The first one is moot: you already bought it and can’t go back. But the second one still applies - it would be good to get it looked over.
