Buying or Selling a Home/Lying realtor

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Expert: John McKenna, CMI - 11/13/2006


Question
I told the two realtors I would only purchase the condo only if they took care of the ever-dripping faucets.It was supposed to be in the contingence. The realtor company says they took it out of the purchase agreement because they told me the condo warranty they had would fix the leaky faucets. At the signing, she stated the warranty company didn't have time to do the faucets, but would have it done the next week. I took her word and signed it. The warranty company told me they don't cover faucets,only plumbing. Now her partner(who is part owner)and the owner refuses to pay for the faucets to be fixed. They said if it was in the purchase agreement they wouldn't have sold. I told them if it wasn't going to be taken care of, I would've never bought it. Sorry, since I knew the problem and they agreed to it I didn't get an inspector. Can I do anything?

Answer
Do you have any documentation of this agreement?  If you do, then go to the broker over these realtors, and then you can go to the licensing authorities over the brokers with your complaint.

If you signed an agreement, without getting the repair item in written form, then you got burned.  This may be a hard lesson, but at least it is a cheap one.

So here is a tip for you... if the faucet drips, then it is the washer at the base of the stem that needs replaced.  If the faucet seeps around the handle, then it is the O-rings that need replaced.  Either way, this a simple repair, sometimes.  If the old fixture is rusted, then things can be hard to undo when rusted together.  If things are rusted too bad, then replacing the faucet might be a better choice.

Seek Professional advise on any legal issues and for repairing your plumbing problems (this is my disclaimer). If you have a washer-less faucet, then my plumbing advise does not apply.  You may have to replace the faucet in that case.

Good luck and I am very sorry you got burned my friend.

A home inspection almost always pays for itself and is well worth the money.  Please be careful and let me know if I can help you.

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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