All Forum Posts by: Allison W Gammon

Quote from @Sergey A. Petrov:

So what is in your contract? That is the only thing that matters. To me, it sounds like you never had the $5k. I am also confused as to how your agent calling someone to make sure a repair doesn’t exceed $5k results in the repairs being made with the seller authorizing and paying for it. Unless by “your agent” you mean the phone number you dialed when you saw the house go for sale and that phone number goes to the seller’s agent marketing the property. If that is the case, everything makes sense and you don’t have your own agent, you are talking to the seller’s agent whose job is to get the best deal for the seller. Something still isn’t connecting here if you truly are represented by your own agent

I have an agent and the seller has an agent.  They are two different people.  We are in the process of negotiating.  From what I understand, even after you have a contact, you can use deficiencies in the property to renegotiate. During the course of this negotiation process, the AC ended up getting "fixed" by the guy my agent hired.  The seller's agent was present but I wasn't and I guess they just decided to go ahead and fix it and call it a day.  Maybe they did things inappropriately.  I don't know.  I contacted the repair guy later and he told me it's going to die in 2-3 years.  I'm just trying to decide if I should ask my agent to request a partial credit even though it technically works now.  

@Dwayne Poster and @Sergey A. Petrov it was never in a contract.  They accepted someone else's offer, that person got an inspection and the A/C wasn't working.  That buyer backed out (for unknown reasons).  Seller's agent called my agent to accept my offer.  At some point along the line (before my inspection occurred), they told my agent that they would offer me a $5000 credit toward the A/C, but it was never in a contract.  My agent had the A/C looked at to make sure it wouldn't cost more than $5000 and that's when the repair guy "fixed" the issue with a $400 bandaid.  I'm just trying to figure out the best course of action.  

 Cool.  I had no idea that was even a thing.  Even on a 130 yr old house?

Quote from @Dell J.:

if you hired the guy how did they end up working for the seller?  you were getting a credit because the ac wasnt working but now it is.  I dont feel they owe you the credit but you can still try. There isnt a right or wrong it comes down to what you get the seller  to agree to.  Is it still a good deal with the 5k in?

Things probally got murky when it was the agent that hired the guy.  is this also the sellers agent?

This is how I feel about it too.  My agent hired the guy.  But then the guy put a bandaid on the system that definitely benefited the seller and NOT me.  My agent was so happy that it works and felt like it was a major win, but I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick. I would have much rather gotten the credit.  
 

Quote from @John Teachout:

The AC works, you didn't have to replace it. Thus I don't feel the seller owes you the credit. They did pay the repair. It's almost impossible to predict the failure of HVAC equipment. It may last 36 days or 6 years. Just have funds available for when it needs to be replaced...

 Thanks!! 

Hi, I am in the process of purchasing a 3 family.  The house is 130 years old, so I understand that there will be inevitable issues.  The central AC wasn't working, so the sellers offered a $5000 credit for me to repair/replace it.  My real estate agent had someone look at it to make sure it wouldn't cost more than that.  The mechanic ended up replacing something in the unit so that it would work again ($400 fix that the sellers paid for), though the mechanic told me that the system will nickel and dime me until I finally replace it and it will only last about 2-3 more years.  The seller's rescinded their $5000 credit because it works now.  Should I fight to get the credit or let it go?  (I have spoken to my agent.  I'm looking for other opinions).  Thanks!

Quote from @William Anderson:

Allison, your agent is probably correct, from what I see this is minor and can be fixed for a few hundred dollars.  I am guessing that she recommended you get a quote and try to get the seller to pay for it.  Your agent knows of contractors who can go over the home inspection report and give you a quote.

I just sent a home inspection report to a contractor for an estimate. I also made a video of the entire house inside and outside focusing on the issues so that the contractor could gain some perspective. I own an STR that was built in 1880, we just discovered active termites on the floor and replaced it. That's life in most of the U.S. There may be more hidden damage from past termite infestations.

You may want to have the bait station system installed "Sentricon".

I'm not worried about current termites.  I'm worried about the cost to repair the wood holding up the column.  My agent didn't recommend that I get a quote or ask for the seller to pay for anything. My agent told me not to worry about it.  I would like to know for sure if the repairs will cost $100 or $1500.  Is it easy to replace wood underneath a column that is holding up a porch?  Maybe but I don't know.

Quote from @Russell Brazil:

Every house in my entire region of the country, the midatlantic, has had termite damage if it has a yard where they can live.  So this wouldnt be an issue for us in our part of the country. It is generally recommended here to have a termite treatment done every 5 years.

My concern isn't that there once were termites.  My concern is that the support column needs to be repaired and I have no idea how much that will cost.  It is a STRUCTURAL part of the home, so it seems important.  The wood holding up the column is wet, rotted, and has holes throughout... That's what I'm concerned about.

@Dustin Allen Thanks, my agent told me it's not a big deal and not to worry about it.  I wanted other opinions.

Hi, I am purchasing my first 3 family which I plan to owner occupy.  The inspector found previous termite damage at the base of one of the exterior support columns.  I do not know how much this will be to fix or how much of a problem it is.  I am wondering if I should request a decrease in price or something because of this issue or a seller's credit to repair it?  I am attaching pics of the damage and of the exterior of the house.  The damage is at the base of the middle column.  Is this not a big deal or should I try to get my agent to ask for something?  House is about 130 years old, if that makes a difference.  Thanks!