Inspection Report

Hi – we received an inspection report for a house that we want to buy.  The inspection report lists a number of items that need repair.  Part of the deal is that the seller will file plans to convert the house to a legal 2 family, renovate the house and deliver a cert of occupancy for a 2 family before we close.   As part of the conversion process for a 2 family, will the city obligate the seller to correct some or all of the issues identified in our inspection report (to the extent some of the same issues are picked up by the city inspector) before issuing a certificate of occupancy?  Items like mold growth on drywall, termite damage, maintenance to roof membrane, unvented plumbing fixtures, deterioration of sink waste line, inoperative heating equipment… Thanks in advance

samtsegaye

in Decks and Porches 12 years and 1 month ago

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nalusurf | 12 years and 1 month ago

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Couldn’t agree more with mousta and cup.  NEVER agree to have the seller fix major deficiencies.  You should look to have some type of monetary compensation for whatever repairs are agreed upon and then you get a contractor that you know and trust to make repairs.  Try to negotiate a price and have it deducted (held in escrow) from the sale price, it will then be released to you at your closing.  No seller is going to repair things to the standards that the buyer would expect, otherwise they probably wouldn’t be selling the property in the ifrst place.  Talk with your lawyer.

cupolacoffee | 12 years and 1 month ago

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Relying on a seller to fix major problems found in your inspection is a VERY bad idea. The selling price should reflect the building condition, and YOU should be able to afford both the time and cost of legalization, repairs, etc. You write that “part of the deal is that the seller will file plans to convert the house to a legal 2 family.” What is the building now? Who is going to detail the new layout of the alteration? The finishes, etc.? NO inspection, not even the “best,” will identify all problems in a building. The items in your list above, especially the change of CofO, are not quick or cheap fixes, and if you’ve been led to believe otherwise, you are already walking the road to massive regret.

Bond | 12 years and 1 month ago

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No, the city will not mandate fixing most, if not all of what you listed.  I also think that you could be looking at a process that takes a very long time.  If I were selling a house, I would never agree to getting a C of O or changing the classification of the house as a condition.  I’ve known case that have literally taken years to wind their way through the system.  Granted those were on buildings that had undergone major renovations, but still……..

samtsegaye | 12 years and 1 month ago

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Thanks

mousta | 12 years and 1 month ago

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This isn’t necessarily an answer to your question, but I would think that the seller would try to get all that you describe above done as cheaply as possible as opposed to doing all of it properly. I wouldn’t rely on a city inspector to catch a lot of those things. If you really want the house negotiate a lower price and get the work done yourself. Then you will know it was done properly.