Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 12:05     Subject: Re:De facto "as is"
How much of that $15k was attributed to each item in the estimate? The driveway and furnace are not reasonable asks, so if most of the estimate are for those two line items I can see why they might have felt it would be pointless to negotiate.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:57     Subject: Re:De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand what conclusion you're drawing about NoVa sales.


That I should not rely on inspection for normal minor fixes prior to the sale, but only as a way to back out of a deal if a big problem is found.

In the past, both I as the seller and other sellers would do minor fixes in the house based on inspection report.


"Big problem" is pretty subjective. A 25 year old furnace could last several more years for example. It could have been well maintained and wasteful to replace before its time.


I have no way to assess that as a buyer.


Things have a useful life. This furnace is a goner.
I would not want a seller to repair anything because they would not do it to my standard. I’d negotiate for the closing costs and if not there are so many better houses.


Old appliances last. We bought 12 years ago with hot water heater, furnace, and roof that were supposedly “goners.” They are all still working fine.


That is reassuring, thanks!


Sure, but they are leaking all sorts of crap. You’ll have to replace them to sell anyway so why not make your own family’s life better now?


Because they will be 10+ years old by the time we sell, and not add to the value of the house

Best time to replace them is 3-5 years before the anticipated sale.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:53     Subject: De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what % 15k is of the price. In DC mostly it wouldn’t be worth walking away over if you live the house. But the house, as is, VA being a buyer beware state etc. give me pause.

Ultimately how much do you love the house?


I don't love the house. I am locked into a small geographical area. This house is all right.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:50     Subject: Re:De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand what conclusion you're drawing about NoVa sales.


That I should not rely on inspection for normal minor fixes prior to the sale, but only as a way to back out of a deal if a big problem is found.

In the past, both I as the seller and other sellers would do minor fixes in the house based on inspection report.


"Big problem" is pretty subjective. A 25 year old furnace could last several more years for example. It could have been well maintained and wasteful to replace before its time.


I have no way to assess that as a buyer.


Things have a useful life. This furnace is a goner.
I would not want a seller to repair anything because they would not do it to my standard. I’d negotiate for the closing costs and if not there are so many better houses.


Old appliances last. We bought 12 years ago with hot water heater, furnace, and roof that were supposedly “goners.” They are all still working fine.


That is reassuring, thanks!


Sure, but they are leaking all sorts of crap. You’ll have to replace them to sell anyway so why not make your own family’s life better now?
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:49     Subject: De facto "as is"
I don’t know what % 15k is of the price. In DC mostly it wouldn’t be worth walking away over if you live the house. But the house, as is, VA being a buyer beware state etc. give me pause.

Ultimately how much do you love the house?
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:48     Subject: Re:De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand what conclusion you're drawing about NoVa sales.


That I should not rely on inspection for normal minor fixes prior to the sale, but only as a way to back out of a deal if a big problem is found.

In the past, both I as the seller and other sellers would do minor fixes in the house based on inspection report.


"Big problem" is pretty subjective. A 25 year old furnace could last several more years for example. It could have been well maintained and wasteful to replace before its time.


I have no way to assess that as a buyer.


Things have a useful life. This furnace is a goner.
I would not want a seller to repair anything because they would not do it to my standard. I’d negotiate for the closing costs and if not there are so many better houses.


Old appliances last. We bought 12 years ago with hot water heater, furnace, and roof that were supposedly “goners.” They are all still working fine.


That is reassuring, thanks!
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:47     Subject: Re:De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand what conclusion you're drawing about NoVa sales.


That I should not rely on inspection for normal minor fixes prior to the sale, but only as a way to back out of a deal if a big problem is found.

In the past, both I as the seller and other sellers would do minor fixes in the house based on inspection report.


"Big problem" is pretty subjective. A 25 year old furnace could last several more years for example. It could have been well maintained and wasteful to replace before its time.


I have no way to assess that as a buyer.


Things have a useful life. This furnace is a goner.
I would not want a seller to repair anything because they would not do it to my standard. I’d negotiate for the closing costs and if not there are so many better houses.


Old appliances last. We bought 12 years ago with hot water heater, furnace, and roof that were supposedly “goners.” They are all still working fine.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:46     Subject: De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what conclusion you're drawing about NoVa sales.


That I should not rely on inspection for normal minor fixes prior to the sale, but only as a way to back out of a deal if a big problem is found.

In the past, both I as the seller and other sellers would do minor fixes in the house based on inspection report.


none of what you listed is a minor fix.


I did not list the small things on the list. There are a few.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:45     Subject: Re:De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What does your agent say?


I am happy to write an update once we know how things will work out.

She is surprised also.


LOL! She is not surprised. She is coddling you.


Hard to be sure, but not terribly important because I plan to take a break from looking for a home if this deal falls through. Thanks for the insight however.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:45     Subject: De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what conclusion you're drawing about NoVa sales.


That I should not rely on inspection for normal minor fixes prior to the sale, but only as a way to back out of a deal if a big problem is found.

In the past, both I as the seller and other sellers would do minor fixes in the house based on inspection report.


none of what you listed is a minor fix.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:39     Subject: De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Dcum always bashes smart and demanding buyers. Mostly presumably because they know the horrors their houses hide come sale time. Don’t pay them any mind. Who cares? May the best negotiator win.


No worries, actually, the topic has been helpful.

This deal may not stand because I negotiated it anticipating typical concessions on the inspection, and my agent also expected the same. Now we will know better and negotiate more aggressively upfront.


She didn't.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 11:38     Subject: Re:De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What does your agent say?


I am happy to write an update once we know how things will work out.

She is surprised also.


LOL! She is not surprised. She is coddling you.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 10:43     Subject: De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The cracked driveway will have no impact on your life, other than aesthetics.

Why is the electrical work necessary?

This is pretty typical for an older home. You have the right to negotiate on these items or walk away.


Inspector says it is necessary.

Of course I have that right but I cannot negotiate with a "0"


You tried. Their answer was no, this is an « as is » house. You can make a final offer « we want this price reduction or we walk », but you need to mean it. They, so far, have said that they are ready to see you go if you don’t meet their price because they believe the current price already factors all of this in.


I have no problem walking away, leaving them with disclosable defects on the house and a stigma of a broken contract.

I just wanted to see if this bait and switch is normal in this region. If so, I will look for a heavily discounted inspection that only looks at major structural issues. In the past, both we and sellers always fixed some issues and paid out some money during the inspection process. I am not a first time home buyer; this is my 4th home



I dislike everything about the entire real estate industry and even I don’t get your accusation of “bait and switch”. You have the right to request those repairs and they have the right to say no.


I wanted to see how commonly sellers exercise the right to not fix anything and challenge the buyer to walk away in NoVa. Seems like it is common. This was a new experience for me.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 10:38     Subject: De facto "as is"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The cracked driveway will have no impact on your life, other than aesthetics.

Why is the electrical work necessary?

This is pretty typical for an older home. You have the right to negotiate on these items or walk away.


Inspector says it is necessary.

Of course I have that right but I cannot negotiate with a "0"


You tried. Their answer was no, this is an « as is » house. You can make a final offer « we want this price reduction or we walk », but you need to mean it. They, so far, have said that they are ready to see you go if you don’t meet their price because they believe the current price already factors all of this in.


I have no problem walking away, leaving them with disclosable defects on the house and a stigma of a broken contract.

I just wanted to see if this bait and switch is normal in this region. If so, I will look for a heavily discounted inspection that only looks at major structural issues. In the past, both we and sellers always fixed some issues and paid out some money during the inspection process. I am not a first time home buyer; this is my 4th home



I dislike everything about the entire real estate industry and even I don’t get your accusation of “bait and switch”. You have the right to request those repairs and they have the right to say no.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2023 10:35     Subject: De facto "as is"
Honestly these sellers deserve this house. Walk OP walk