All Forum Posts by: Anna M.

Funny running into you here and , at first I had a tough time understanding all that mambo jambo about a BBB lady, and was like huh!!!  What in the world is he talking about?  But then again, I say that anytime you open your mouth....LOL.  No just kidding good for you!  Thanks for your advice by the way on the deal I had been considering, I called it off and funny how the universe closes one door and opens another.  I have since found a better deal, a little more expensive but less risk. :)

I have since move on and away from this, thank you however for the input.  I did get the inspection report and it was too much to take on.  Thanks.

Often I believe in not saying, “No I can’t!” but instead prefer to say, “How can I?” - How can I move forward with making an offer on an investment property with evident cracking?Home is in Metro Denver area, an up/down brick duplex with attached one car garage for each unit, decent size yard with mature trees.Really cute home that I immediately fell in love with.What I am not in-love with however, is the potential structural issues that come with this home.Thus I ask, “How can I move forward with making an offer on an investment property with evident cracking?”

This is a decision that gets a lot of different opinions and for some it is a simple, “Hell No!”I must admit, I am struggling a little on this one.We already made an offer on the home and the counter was decent, still keeping us below initial asking price.The offer was with indication that we would be doing an independent home inspection, always a smart idea.At first visit to property, there was concern on the diagonal/zig zagging lines in the walls, the few gaping holes where the stairs meet the home – evidence that the staircases had at one point pulled away/separated from the home.This cracking is by no means just settling, my limited knowledge of home construction was telling me, this here was a structural issue.But wait….. there’s more!For only $ABC dollar amount you get an additional potential mold issues inside walls.How do I know that?The existing tenants have mentioned separately (this is an up/down duplex) of smell of mold.This is not difficult to believe if in fact there are these obvious cracks on the home exterior.There is no doubt water/moisture is getting into the home and creating a condition for mold to grow.We had a structural engineer out to do our buyer’s inspection yesterday, report is due out later this evening (11/04/17).Verbal communication while on site, indicated a mutually shared concern over these cracks.The roof appears fine.A wall in the backyard will need replacing as the soil weight has almost pushed this wall over and it is only a matter of time before this thing comes falling over.Boiler may need replaced, windows as there is some clear cold.These are just concerns at this time but inspection report will lay all this out once received later today.I should have been a little smarter in not agreeing to a change in inspection objection deadline when it was presented by seller.My buyer’s agent and I should really have talked this one over, as I realize now that, it left us with only hours after inspection to come up with our inspection objection response and to be honest I will not have time to get bids for any of the extensive repair items which I do not doubt will be confirmed in the report received later today.Seeking any advice that you can give on the following:

1. Would you proceed with purchase of the above detailed home?( I am happy to edit the above details to include any more information that the group needs).
2. If you are brave enough to move forward, what would your counter with?i.e. What would be a reasonable discount request on a property looking at structural foundation repairs to include some re-grading to prevent repeat issues, potential mold treatment, window replacement (total 20 windows).I believe in being fair to both seller and myself and I keep hearing and reading (as I went online and started researching this as I wait to get inspection report), I keep hearing that in this market most homes will have some kind of foundation issues and that should not be a deal breaker.
3. What other advice would you give.I do like the home, it has great curb appeal, but I believe in the say, “A home without a foundation is not a home”, so I do want to be careful not to be taking on a home that will leave me stuck with a hefty bill.

I plan on continuing to do my research throughout the day as we wait on the inspection report and will eagerly also await any comments that group members can offer to help me make my decision before 12midnight tonight.I hate to lose this home, but I also hate to take a risk that may leave me with a hefty bill down the line.Any comments will be appreciated, good, bad, ugly…… brutal honesty, I will take it all with gratitude.Thanks.

PS.There is a great post right here on Bigger Pockets, the Landlord&Tenant Forum that I was able to also find some great information on, titled, “Foundation Problems 101 -- Buying a Place With a Foundation Problem”.

Thank you@Jon Holdman, for trying to understand what I set out to share.  

Nothing, because I self manage, but great tips up above. :)

@Dylan Vargas, you crack me up, LOL!

@Rachel Bjorklund, something you said really hit home, “Those who aid and abet discrimination keep the cycle going, and it can be easy to overlook their part because they are often "nice" people who avoid confrontation.”I think this is valuable information to us all, myself included and I have actually followed up with my agent to see about addressing this further than simply walking away for if he could do it to me, he will do it to another.Thank you for the positive feedback.It is a sure welcome from the few comments that are quick to want to condemn the post and/or want to turn the blame around.I have liked Bigger Pockets because I thought it was a safe place to come and share my experiences and learn from those going through the real estate journey.So I feel encouraged to keep going despite the few obstacles my search presents, but just slightly disheartened by those that perhaps are seeking only “positive” posts that may not always paint an accurate picture of reality.In life, we are faced with the good, the bad, the ugly.Mine just happened to be the bad/the ugly, but I am happy for the most part to have received great advice from many on BP and for those that may have felt otherwise, or felt that I was making too big an issue of it, I thank you too, for when I look closely to your words there is some wisdom there that I can take away and your input makes me strong in knowing to hold onto what is right.In life you will get those that will agree with you and those that will disagree with you.You have to know what is right for you and keep moving forward so I take all advice given as I continue to plough through any forms of discrimination in my search for that next property.

@Nathan G. I respect your comments and your advice.I find it slightly harsh in part and do not agree with it entirely, but I will respect your views.The great thing about forums is that we get to share our experiences, good or bad and that experience may in part help others going through something similar.In the comments received, some pointed out that it appears this is something that is happening, sadly enough.It was a shock to me as I had not experienced it.I am certainly entitled to share my experience on the forum.I do not view it as gossip for if you will notice from my post I have refrained from mentioning said listing agent, company and/or property.So again, I do respect your views, but please understand that when you ask me to communicate with said listing agents, my posts show you the lengths I have gone to.I would beg to differ on further outreach if not directed at finding a resolution, to someone that clearly is/was against me viewing the property in the first place based on my gender.What is that going to accomplish?  The stated message was sent over text that my buyer's agent forwarded and it was not one text but a few clearly indicating the hesitation on said listing agent's part.  So again, while I do not agree entirely with your comments and evaluation of the situation, I respect it, for they are your comments and it is your evaluation and that is the great thing about this forum, is that we all get to share and learn from each other.

Yes thank you @Jon Holdman.  I stand corrected and I hope others will take notice of this kind reminder too.  Thanks.

@Steve B. LOL!