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Recently updated-Are you sure?

An inspection that I did Tuesday night made me think, what a concept!!!!!

When Realtor ® advertises a home that has been updated do they verify that this is true?

On this, the Tuesday night inspection, I found that the electrical and the plumbing systems had been ‘replaced'. It only took me a moment to know that none of the work had been permitted or inspected, as required in this jurisdiction. It all (the work performed) needed to be repaired or replaced.

Good news for the buyers was that they were not inheriting a $5,000.00 fix. Bad news for the seller was that he did not have this work performed. It was performed, in my estimate at least 6 years prior. He has only been in this home about two years and the previous owner about the same. So now this is his problem.

I doubt if the current owner would have purchased this property had he know of these defects.

Was this advertised as updated?
Did he have a Home Inspection?
If not why?
Is the Home Inspector or the Realtor® on the ‘hook'?
Should a Realtor® verify what is advertised?

Would like to know if you verify what is advertised.

Posted by Mike Parks ESI, RBO ,RPI ,RIUI ,OMHI- Ohio on 09/24/2009 05:05 PM

Comments (10)

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10 Comments on Recently updated-Are you sure?

SEP

LOL, there are some agents in our area that state updated and the only thing updated is the toilet, so funny.

Mike,

I've learned that "recently updated" means different things to different people, especially agents. The roof could be 15 years old and they might advertise it as a newer roof because it is, in fact, newer than the old one they replaced.

That's just too bad for sellers. The ball was dropped somewhere, either with their agent not verifying or passing on a home inspection to save a buck.

I mean funny in the sense of the False advertising and they should be slapped with a fine.

Kim & Brian

You both understand my point.

SEP

I frequently have to advise rental prospects that the property they are interested in is INVESTOR-OWNED and is therefore in EXCELLENT CONDITION.....Many Owner OCCUPIED homes tend to be in poorer condition with funky colors and deferred maintenance.....FYI * a new bath floor because the toilet leaked and the floor rotted is NOT an UPGRADE!!!

SEP

I don't know, Wallace. I've seen quite a few INVESTOR OWNED in CRAPPY CONDITION and quite a few OWNER OCCUPIED homes in really EXCELLENT CONDITION.

When I find INVESTOR OWNED, I know I need to dig a little deeper to find what they hid with fresh paint and carpet.

Interesting points. What is "updated". I thought I knew, but after reading this I will be very careful in what I say and represent. Thanks for the awareness.

Erby

I wanted to say something but glad you did first.

Excellent condition?

Jim

That was the point of the post. Hope this helped.

Realtors® aren't on the hook if they are taking the sellers word for that it has been updated. We don't inspect plumbing or electrical and the like. But, this is a big but, if the Realtor® can visually see that something has not been updated then he shouldn't report it as such.

SEP

Gene

You may or may not be correct. I do not know.

I just think it is a good idea to verify the information provide.

We have all seen homes with bedrooms advertised as such that are not 'real' bedrooms.

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