68MEVY

Hi,
We've just had a building and pest inspection done on a house we're looking at buying.
We're first time buyers so not entirely sure how these things work.
The report has come back with a few things wrong, we're just wondering if we can ask that these things are sorted out by the seller? Without going into a long list it's things like moisture in shower wall, leaking toilet cistern, gyprock repairs, few tiles on roof need repairing.
If all this is down to us to sort out it's not a huge problem as hubby is a handyman. It's just we'll be that busy with other stuff and he can't get time off work to fix things up as he's just used his holiday up whilst I had an operation.
Anyone know where we stand on this?

Thanks guys
Marie

derf

You contract would have stated that it was dependant on a satisfactory report. These faults makes it NOT satisfactory. You can walk, or get the seller to fix the problems, or negotiate a reduction in price.. Just been through this ourselves. I am not sure if it is different in other states, we are in Qld.

wanderingwombat

Moisture in the shower wall is not uncommon, depends if there is a leak resulting in rot of the framing $$$. The other bits are wear'n'tear as you would expect (about 15-18 yr old?) with an established house.

NEVER get the vendor to fix! If you were the vendor, what would you do???? The cheapest/quickest/dodgeiest solution, of course as it wouldnt be your problem.

Renegotiate or walk away. If it is still a seller's market and there are few houses that meet your requirements then it is a harder decision.

Good luck.

WW

68MEVY

We've had the real estate guy round and we've had a chat with the inspector. We've struggled trying to find the 'right' house so I think we're gonna bite the bullet after a bit of renegotiation and go for it. Like I said before, the maintainence is no problem for Steve to tackle himself, and we've also decided if we do it ourselves we know it's done properly.
Thanks for the advice and the pms everyone.
Marie

wanderingwombat

Stretch the time out as much as you can before renegotiating. Keep the agent out of the loop as long as you can as anything you say about what you intend to do will go straight back to seller and could work against you $$$.

Buying established is always a compromise but dont try convince (rationalise?)yourselves that you can make-do and the house will work for you.

We tried to buy a house that had some organisational problems, however we rationalised we could make it work.. In hindsight we are now glad the purchase never happened as we never could have made the house work to its potential without overcapitalising.

Miss the view out across Trinity Inlet tho...

WW

cazz

Hi Marie,
I work as a real estate agent in Buderim, under the Real estate institute of queensland's code, if you are not happy with the pest or building report you should get your solicitor to notify the sellers of this (it must be in writing) prior to the building and pest date in the contract this enables you to get out of the contract if this is what you wish which therefore should enable you to renegotiate the purchase price taking into account the cost of these repairs. In this market it is likely that the seller would agree however if you do recind this permits the seller to get out of the contract if he wishes. If you feel you have in the first instance negotiated a really good price it may be wise to continue with the contract and do repairs yourself. Talk to your solicitor they are there to help.


Cazz

ps. if the seller wishes to do the repairs themselves make sure you have them checked by your building inspector after they are done and make it a clause in the contract.