Posted: 7/8/2013 1:55:04 PM EDT
| Several years ago I purchased a house. After the purchase, I found out that the previous owner did a lot of work (completely finished the basement) without a building permit, so none of the work was inspected. There are some clear code violations with the work and, frankly, an issue that is a serious safety concern. Is it likely that I can compel the seller to make it right or is it the classic case of buyer beware? I did have a home inspection; of course these issues didn't turn up in the report and the home inspector won't take any liability. I wish I could find a job where people pay me for a service yet I have no responsibility, but maybe that is a discussion for GD. |
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Ya, me too. I just ripped it all out and redid it myself.
Bought at the height of the housing market, so I paid a premium. Then I put another 80k into the house which I didn't buy at a fixer upper price. You know what, fuck it. Spilt milk and all, but I'll make you a solemn vowe...NEVER AGAIN! Chalk it up as lesson learned. |
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Like the OP, I found numerous issues, some that the home inspector caught and others he didn't (and he was a PE, not your run of the mill guy who prints a business card). I just fixed them myself. One was a genuine fire hazard. The original owner (I bought from the 3rd owner who wasn't handy and didn't do any of the work) finished the basement, built a porch and garage (with tree stumps as fill and no footings - his Son told me this many years later) as a DIY project with no permits/inspection.
After many years here, we renovated and ripped out the garage and porch and had professionals do an addition, so all that is long gone now, thankfully. |
| What I have learned from getting fooked" as the above poster said, is that hire a good inspector, NEVER HIRE ONE ASSOCIATED WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT. They frequently have a "side deal" going on and you get hosed. On my last real estate deal, I hired an inspector that cost about 400$ and took the better part of a day on the inspection . He gave me a multi page report and some suggestions. I found 0 surprises after I closed the deal. Lesson learned. |
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if it's a "clear code violation" why didn't you see it before you bought it? "Clear" meaning definetely not up to code (as in no grey area). Couldn't see it when we purchased the house (think wiring, plumbing, etc that is not readily visible). And thus the inspector is likely to miss it, and most of them limit their liability to the cost of the inspection. |