Help a newbie with a request from the Homeowners Insurance Co.

[Brad McNally]

I just closed on my first deal this month. I decided to start simple and conservative by going with a single family home in which I can house hack. While everything went reasonably smooth up to this point, the reason I'm posting is because of an email I got from my Homeowners Insurance agent just the other day (about 3 weeks after closing). The email stated that the underwriter has assigned an action for me which read as follows: "The shed is in poor condition and needs the following repairs: rotten soffit and fascia, roof replaced and trees at the back cut down to prevent further damage."

Some background. My shed is roughly 15'x15' with an asphalt roof. Nothing was documented in the original home inspection during escrow of any damage to the shed. I knew already that the shed roof is old, but currently there are no leaks or damage. From my own (unprofessional) inspection of the soffit and fascia, it looks fine and I'm not sure where they are coming from saying that it is rotten. There are trees on both sides and behind the shed, but these trees are either in my neighbors yard or 50/50 in both of our yards. So even if I decided to take these trees down, I would need consent on my neighbors part.

To sum up, I need to talk with my agent in depth to clear up some of these issues (where they got their information, clarify that some of these trees aren't even mine). In the meantime, I'd like to hear what some of you think of my situation. As I see it I have a few options: Remove the shed from my coverage, shop for other homeowners insurance hoping they won't make the same demands, or comply and spend thousands of dollars in repairs as requested.

Anything helps! Thanks!