First flip complete - or is it?

Question

A first time flipper and just sold my first fix and flip 2 weeks back. Very exhilarating feeling - thanks to all the good stuff and nuggets of wisdom all over this site.

Now the first time home buyer has come back and says that they had a water leak in the bathroom, for which they used a home-warranty service that we had bought them (a 2-year home service warranty). The plumber that fixed it said that the plumbing in the whole house should be changed as it is Polybutylene pipe. Now the buyer is freaking out and wants us to 'take care of it'.

What do you suggest we do? We already paid for the service call for the leak repair.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Caleb Heimsoth · Answer

@Naveen Kumar I would advise you to say no.  I can’t imagine you want to repipe an entire house that you no longer own.

Of course a plumber would say that, it’s their job to upsell you on plumbing

Naveen Kumar · Answer

I will push back on this and hopefully get past it.

thanks for all the advice.

Matt M. · Answer

@Naveen Kumar

It is not your problem whatsoever. Tell your agent you don’t want to hear about it anymore.

Naveen Kumar · Answer

thanks @Caleb

We had an inspection when we bought the place, and the new buyer had it inspected too. Neither of those reports found the piping material to be an issue and needing replacement.

Carol Brindley · Answer

Unfortunately, this is not your problem and you should not feel bad about it. I would advise the agent to have the new owner call their home inspector who sometimes will carry warrantees on plumbing leaks after inspections. There is also the Buyer's home insurance?  Just some  thoughts...

Steve Vaughan · Answer

Go to the property? No way. Not unless you snuck in when they weren't looking and changed the plumbing to poly.  They knew what it was when they bought it. It is now theirs and their problem IMO .

Where is your agent in all this? Just passing the news to you? Offering no advice?  Don't answer me, I don't deal with agents, but something to consider.

Naveen Kumar · Answer

@Steve Vaughan - they have been reaching out to my agent via their agent. Technically, we don't even own the property anymore - and we addressed their initial concerns by offering to cover the service call expense.

Not sure what the correct procedure is in this case. Should we go to the property and address it in person?

Steve Vaughan · Answer

The poly was an open and obvious condition, not hidden.  They inspected and bought the house with poly.  If they wanted it changed (I've passed on poly houses before- chlorine wears out the joints) the time to bring it up was when still under contract.

All sales final in that regard  Why do they even have your number?

Theresa Harris · Answer

You did due diligence as did the new buyer via their inspection, if no flags were raised in either instance, counter back with that.

First flip complete - or is it?

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