Buying or Selling a Home/well problem

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Expert: John McKenna, CMI - 9/4/2008


Question
My niece just purchased a home and has lived in it 4 days. They paid to have the house inspected. The problem: They have lived there 4 days and the first day there they noticed that they ran out of water when they showered. Now she can only do one load of clothes and has to wait to do another. This morning there was not enough water to fill the sink for dishes. When they did the walk through before they signed papers they noticed that there was a box with a new pressure tank in the basement. (They had someone come in an install the new pressure tank, this din't help). The inspector had told them the old one was going to need replacing at some point but would be okay for awhile. There was no disclosure that there was any problem with the well or water pressure. Now that they have signed all papers and moved in do they have any recourse?

Sincerely,

Kim Goad

Answer
It sounds like you need to contact a qualified well professional and find out what exactly what the problem is.   You can seek relief from the inspector who inspected the well, as well as the home owner, and possibly the realtor.  Contact the home inspecting licensing board, for your state (if any) for their advise as well.

Seek the advise of a qualified real estate attorney.  I am sorry that your daughter is having this problem.  If you have an insufficient supply of water from the well, that is a serious issue and if the inspector signed off on the well, then it should have been found.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

John McKenna, CMI
Certified Master Inspector
American Home Inspection
http://texas-inspection.com

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John McKenna, CMI

Expertise

I can answer your question about home inspections and the hidden aspects of of the industry. I own American Home Inspection for east Texas and am a Certified Master Inspector. Sometimes there are questions about buying and selling a home that a qualified and honest home inspector can answer. Many people are led to believe incomplete information about repair items and make costly mistakes when they respond. If you do not know enough information or know what to ask, you can buy a nightmare instead of a home. Is your home inspector working for you or the Realtor? Is the owner of the home telling the truth? How do you make sure the contractor who makes repairs will do it right? Is the Realtor moving too fast and causing a person to make hasty choices? What are some of the things the Realtor does not want you to know? What you discover after you are the owner of the home and then decide to sell? What type of box can the home inspector put you in when the new buyer is now inspecting your home? What can you do if the home inspector was negligent? How do you prepare for a home inspection? What should you do with the home inspection report at the negotiating table? What are the signs of sheeple being led to the slaughter? Why do some realtors hate the "deal killer" home inspector? What type of action can you take now to protect yourself from law suite after someone buys your home? When is something a minor or major problem? What are the most common problems found in a home inspection? What can you do to prepare for a home inspection? What questions can you ask the home inspector so you choose the right one? The list goes on and on... "The truth will make you free"

Experience

Over 25 years experience in construction and board certified as a Certified Master Inspector. Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission as a Professional Home Inspector (TREC #4565) and Certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).

Education/Credentials
Certified Master Inspector (CMI) National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC #4565)
See more info: http://texas-inspection.com

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