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The Utilities are off? Seriously?

By James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes

Real Estate Agent with Real Living | At Home

July 01, 2010 02:42 AM

Foreclosed homes should always, always, always have a home inspection. Really every home should - but especially foreclosed homes because so many of these homes have been abused by their past owners or just not maintained. If they didn't have money for the mortgage - they probably didn't fix anything either.

Now comes the frustrating part. Setting up and completing the inspection. Most always the contracts (especially with foreclosed properties); you will have 7- 10 days (at most) to complete the inspection. Also so many times; the utilities are turned off.

Needless to say - somewhere between the buyer's agent, the listing agents and the utility companies - communication breaks down. Often I am told. "YES" the utilities are on. Only to find out they got the water and electric - but forgot the gas.

I am now doing an inspection (2nd time) and was told "all set"; only to find out the gas is in fact not turned on. Gee I love foreclosed properties.

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Stephanie Stringer

First Choice Loan Services NMLS#210764 - San Antonio, TX

Mortgage Loan Originator

Yes, this is a problem on our side too with the utilities. It's frustrating when we have to send an appraiser out to look at the property and come to find out the utilities were not on like we were told they were. The bad news on this is that I can not charge for the reinspection because of the new GFE so I have to eat the cost of it. It STINKS!!!!

Jul 01, 2010 03:09 AM

Lindsey Hasford

Edina Realty - Elk River, MN

Bringing you home...

It really is dependent on the holding bank. The properties that I've watched have required utilities on at time of listing until sale. Do you write into the agreement to have utilities on? Most banks I've worked with have been flexible on that time frame if I have it requested in the purchase agreement.

Jul 01, 2010 10:16 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

I have been able to get the bank to have the utilities turned on to get the inspection done without any problems - perhaps I am just lucky -

Jul 02, 2010 01:56 AM

The Utilities are off? Seriously?

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James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes

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