Page 22 - Buying Your Home with RAREnorthwest

The RAREnorthwest Difference
Sometimes, the most important thing is not buying the WRONG home.
Recently we worked with a couple who were interested in buying a home on the eastside. After several months of looking, they found what felt right to them. This home was presented and marketed as totally remodeled. It appeared to be a lovely home, and our buyers were excited. The house went on the market on Thursday, with a pre-inspection provided by the seller and a plan to review offers from prospective buyers on the following Tuesday.
KEEP
CALM AND
TRUST YOUR REALTOR®
This is where the RAREnorthwest team’s experience came in. We reviewed the seller’s inspection report and it didn’t feel right. There wasn’t a glaring oversight, error, or comment that stood out. There was mention of the roof needing maintatined and a photo of moss on the roof. There was no mention of the attic or crawl space at all. It was just a few things that seemed off. Working with agents who are not afraid to ask questions, seek transparency and have developed instincts about the industry, is an undeniable benefit in the home buying process. We counseled our buyers that it would be in their best interest to get a second inspection.
This is where the RAREnorthwest team’s relationships in the industry came in. We had such a tight timeframe to work with, as the offer review was only 36 hours away. Our usual, trusted home inspector had a completely full schedule, but he knows and respects our team and was willing to come to the home and give us his lunch hour!
What he discovered was a roof that completely needed to be torn off and replaced. An estimated $20,000 repair. He also discovered a gun safe in front of the electric panel. Gun safes are heavy and fairly unmovable, meaning the pre-inspection hadn’t included the electrical system at all! The pre-inspection stated that the home had copper wire. What our inspector discovered was aluminum wiring - sometimes used in the 1960s. Replacing aluminum wiring is a $8,000-$10,000 expense!
Our buyers decided to proceed with an offer based on the new information that was available and a lower price point to cover the repair expenses. The sellers received 9 competing offers. Our buyers did not win the house. But they also weren’t stuck in a home that they would have overpaid for, in addition to $30,000 in undisclosed repairs!