just♪wondering
|
Normally, when you buy a home, your interests are best served if you hire you own home inspector, who will represent your best interests. There is good reason to be suspicious of an inspection done by a relative of the seller. I hope that you put a home inspection contingency in your contract. This entitles you to hire a qualified inspector of your choice (you pay of course) who should give you a thorough written report. The fact that the seller wants their own relative to do the inspection raises a red flag as to whether there is a serious problem that they are hoping to hide. |
|
susan l
 |
First, most states have laws against "steering". That is, a realtor, or other PROFESSIONAL must not recommend any particular company or person to do inspections, loan applications, repairs etc. when selling a home or other property. It is a good law, and if it is not a law in your state, it is most certainly unethical to recommend anyone. After all, the goal of the seller or seller's agent is always to make the sale and get the check. The situation you describe most certainly poses a real conflict of interest. If the contractors doing the repairs are licensed, (verify this with the county or by visiting your state's website and checking for a valid license), then make sure you receive a receipt of any repairs or replacements done and have the warranty period stated on the receipt. Check with the local chamber of commerce and better business bureau when hiring a contractor for any type of repair. If you have an issue already with dishonest disclosure of items not being in working condition I would be skeptical at best in having the homeowner's "relatives" do ANY repairs.....I would have a home inspection by a licensed home inspector that YOU choose. If you have entered into a contract, read the contract in it's entirety. Be sure to pay special attention to inspection clauses. Usually the buyer has X # of days to respond to the seller or seller's agent in WRITING of any dissatisfaction of the condition of the property. In real estate the term CAVEAT EMPTOR always applys. That means...BUYER BEWARE. Often buyers will try to sue the seller for misrepresentation or non disclosure of defects in a property, but the process is lengthy and can be costly. Try to avoid this by doing your homework and following thru with the responsibilities of your part of the contract. Hope this helps you. Good luck with your purchase!!! |
|
clueless
 |
The whole point of an inspection is to have someone who represents YOUR best interest. Where the inspector is THEIR family member, I would question their ability to be objective....Hire someone who has no interest in this transaction. Good Luck! |
|
Archer Christifori
|
You can have a seperate inspection take place... its a good idea regardless. |
|
Albannach
|
You should get an independent inspector. I wouldn't trust the "family member" inspection. |
|
joe b
|
Trust your gut on this one....Your are not trying to make friends with them you are conducting a business transaction...a very VERY expensive business transaction. The icier the water is in your veins the better off you will be. And if they don't like it? Obviously they are keeping something from you.
Be smart and best of luck. |
|
Hawaii808
|
It is best if you hire someone to be safe. Thank them for the offer and let them know you would just feel more comfortable if someoone unrelated to them do the inspection. |
|
Searchlight Crusade
|
Well, if they are licensed and insured, theoretically you'd be okay so long as you have custody of the certificate. However, you still want an inspector of your own choosing, and if I were in your shoes I wouldn't let that family member anywhere near that work. It isn't steering if the seller does it and not the agent, but it's still not a good idea. You want all service providers to be either 1) working for you, or 2) at least studiously neutral.
Consider the following scenarios: You discover one small defect, then another, then another. Nothing big enough to be worth taking the sellers or their family member to court for individually, but between them, they mount up.
Scenario two: That family member retires and moves away. Or just decides they can make a better living in Wyoming. Now how are you going to sue them? I assure you, it does make it more difficult and more costly.
In short, your answer to the seller needs to be no. If they get all ticked off over it, run for the exits. |
|
E D
|
I'm a licensed real estate agent in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In both these states the buyer hires their own independent home inspector. If the plumbing needs separate inspection, the buyer would hire a plumber to do the inspection.
Under no circumstances should anyone related to the seller do any of the inspections. |
|
sunshine_today
|
Hire someone else and while you are at it, research the home and see what permits have been pulled for any work done. Did they cut corners and have Uncle Frank do the plumbing, wiring, insulation, room addition and never pulled permits? Then you are left holding the bag and possibly have a fire hazard or code violation on your hands. |
|
no_apologies
 |
Even if they are certified, do you think that this "family member" would really disclose anything that could prevent them from selling the house? Their family member would not be acting in your best interest; and obviously, you have some concerns, so request a different inspector. I wouldn't rely on their recommendation. |
|
Mick
|
After you buy the house, it is your problem. The purpose of an inspection is to make you decide wether you want it or not. Almost all houses are sold as-is, meaning, you don't get a warranty or a guarantee..those are usually only found with new or newer homes. Get your own inspector. |
|
Amy
 |
I wouldn't trust a family member of the seller to tellyou the whole truth. If there is a problem with the house, you need to know as soon as possible. Hire someone on your own who has nothing to gain by lying about the condition. |
|
robyn o
|
It's a buyers market.
You definitely want a different inspector, this would make me look everything over more closely! |
|
hithere2ya
|
Contrary to an earlier answer, it is is not "steering" to recommend a service provider, however it is risky for the agent to so recommend just one. Steering refers to directing a person(s) towards or away from specific areas due to racial makeup of the neighborhoods, etc. We have a list of service providers in the inevitable event that a buyer asks "Who would you use?". They choose who they want. In Tennessee if a licensed agent recommends a service provider that they will also receive a financial benefit from if used, that must be disclosed in writing.
If a licensed real estate agent were to choose the provider they also assume some of the liability. In TN smart licensed agents make no claims regarding the providers expertise or quality of services. We usually supply several names and suggest they look in the yellow pages for others. And while we do get paid for the services we provide- same as you get paid for the labor you provide your employer, it is an injustice to infer that services are provided without regard to the clients interests. Licensed real estate agents are regulated by Federal and/or state laws, and must act in the clients best interest contrary to the earlier respondents suggestion.
Money motivates most of us, integrity and honesty is what guides us. Many sellers and buyer lack one or both of those characteristics as well as any one else. How well do you know this seller, and the family member that they want you to use for what ever service they offered?
Now, it IS in your best interest to have your choice of, and your own home inspector. I suggest that you also have a certified HVAC inspection as that is the most common failure after closing. Typical home inspections exclude that aspect of the inspection as HVAC techs require a special license. Typically the heat exchanger on a gas unit is cracked allowing carbon monoxide into the house. Small pets and kids are usually the first victums. Most pluming leaks are easily visible. You should flush all toilets, run water in all sinks and tubs to verify obvious leaks. Some states also are now regulating home inspectors, which I applaud. Some inspectors feel they must over-kill an inspection to justify their fees, and that serves no one.
The seller has the greatest interest in you buying their property. I'm sure your state laws will require some sort of property disclosure as a consumer protection measure. Be sure to get their state of the home condition report for review. You may also want to include a home warranty on your home. Agents typically are paid a small administrative fee if you buy the warranty they offer. Read the paperwork, see what it does or does not cover. Perhaps the seller will pay for part or all of one as a means of reducing their liability.
Best wishes for you and the home you do choose. |
|
PAUL A
|
Get an unbiased independant to do it, then there will be no conflict of interest |
|
fireproof
|
Even if they are a certified inspector. You will want to get your on inspector. It's worth the expense to keep you from getting burned down the road. |
|
spudd59
|
You need as third party.....with no ties to the property |
|
LORD Z
|
Simple. It is your resposibility to get the inspections to your satisfaction not theirs. If you don't do that then you are stuck with anything you miss. |
|
?
 |
personally I would have someone else do it. Because they may tell u things are ok when they arent and u dont want to be fined for their stupidity. |
|
sunshine4ok
 |
Get it inspected, you will be responsible after purchase. Unless that family member went to school and is licensed, then no, he/she is not certified.
On another note, more and more people are doing work themselves due to financial costs...and if the family trusted him/her, that should be taken into consideration. We are all "do-it-yourself" people. Your choice to even consider buying. Just get it inspected if you think it's worth it. |
|
richdevens
|
No way.
Check everything with your own inspector. My attic wound up full of junk after we bought; I didn't even think to check to make sure they emptied it. Once the sale is done, the sellers are gone. You can only sue under certain circumstances and it will take years to get any $.
Save yourself the agony; pay your own inspector. Find out now. You can even deduct the estimated cost of repairs in settlement and preserve the sale.
Your realtor should know this...do you have a realtor? RE is a big deal, don't take silly risks like this. |
|
guehnwyvare_of_atlantica
|
Insist on someone else doing the inspection. That they even thought of having a family member do the inspection would raise red flags for me. |
|
Believe
|
I would get your own inspector to look at the house before you buy it and have the person who is selling it for you there when the inspection is done so they can not say if there is something wrong that your inspector did something to it....as a family member chances are the orginal hvac inspector said that things where good enough to last long enough for you to buy the house |
|
Jenn
 |
Get your own inspector. Don't get the one the Realtor recommends, they may have a prior relationship with the inspector and he/she could skip things to make the deal go through faster.
There is a national certification for home inspectors and they can give you a reputable one in your area.
But I would never buy a home without an inspection first. I just bought a new home and the inspector did find some things that needed taken care of. So don't let your Realtor talk you out of one. Plus they are not legally allowed to persuade you from getting one anyway.
Good luck! |
|
Sandi A
|
Never let the seller have someone do the inspection, YOU as the buyer should hire the inspector. The buyer always hires the inspector, not the seller, its too easy for them to have a friend do it and say everything is fine. |
|
damsel36
|
Unless you have someone represent you independently you are doing yourself a disservice. You follow your instincts, and get that independent inspection. |
|
absynthian
|
Thats like sending iranians to look for terrorists! Of course they won't find any. Spend the extra few bucks and hire an independent inspector. |
|
Z Town Mom
|
I think you are certified if you go down this path. An inspection is YOUR responsibility and a licensed professional with no vested interest or connection to either party is the only way to go. |
|
Carolanne
|
Buying a house is an extremely major purchase. It's always a good idea to have your own inspector - it protects you. |
|
bannheid
|
Correct me if I'm wrong - you are buying the house, yes - don't you have the right to know if this person is certified, or not? If they are certified, don't you think they'll do a good job, whether they are related, or not. They should - under the circumstances - however, if you are unsatisfied with the arrangement - and other arrangements can't be made - don't deal with these people!!!!!! That's not the only house in the world - trust me!!!! |
|
| |
|
Homepage 
Financial
Forum 
Renting & Real Estate 
No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
