Please don't give my client a heart attack.. she's 88 years young! This was the thought going through my mind last night when I received a call from the local gas company.
My client is selling her home and is scheduled to close TOMORROW. Last night on my way to dinner, when I was 40 minutes away from the area, I received a call from the local gas company saying that when the buyer requested us to switch the utility into his name, he mentioned that he smelt gas in the kitchen... 3 weeks ago when he was there for the home inspection.
What the @#@%#??? Why wasn't this brought to our attention when the home inspection was going on? Why didn't the buyer's agent call me to let me know this? I was just in this home last week, and smelt NOTHING.
The dispatcher on the other end of the phone was understanding, but mentioned it was protocol to go out to investigate. Which I understood. I called my client who has moved from this location to let her know what was going on. She was very upset, and didn't understand this at all. "I've lived in the house for over 60 years and never had a problem with the gas". "I was just in there today with my family, and none of us smelt anything".
As we spoke she was getting more and more agitated. To put her mind at ease, I told her I would go and check everything out on her behalf, and would also call her son to come with me. This made her relax some, but I could tell that she was very concerned.
After we hung up I called her son, only to find out, he too, was not in the area. We both agreed to turn around and would meet at his mom's home ASAP. I called back the gas company and found out that they were already on the property, but would be glad to wait.
No sooner did I hang up, (I was now speeding on the highway to get to this home), I received a call back from my client's son. The neighbor who lives across the street called his mom to let her know that not only was the gas company there, but so was 2 fire trucks, and the lights are going and disturbing the neighborhood.
When I heard this I panicked, I thought for sure my client was going to have a heart attack. I called her back to hear the fluster in her voice. After a few minutes I was able to calm her down and told her I would call her when I got there and would keep her on the line so she could hear what was going on.
To make a long story short, by the time I got there, the fire dept had left and only the gas company was there. We went through the home, and there was NO gas leak in the kitchen. However, there was a *tiny* leak in the gas valve (aquastat) on the water heater in the basement. They turned off the supply of gas to the heater and recommended we get this fixed.
By the time I left the property, I had 3 plumbers quotes, spoke with my client (and her son) and they decided to go with one of them. This plumber is going out first thing this morning to change the value.
PROBLEM FIXED.
Obviously it was a good thing that the gas company came out, but did all the hoopla ha have to occur to panic my client?
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Info about the author:
Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.
For real estate.. all you need to know, is VALERIEO
If you're thinking about buying a home in Cromwell CT area, there are plenty of great buys in today's market. There is no better time than now to take advantage of these homes while interest rates remain at an all time low. For more information on Cromwell CT real estate's homes and/or condos please visit Johnson Real Estate to access the newest listings.
Copyright © 2011 - By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - All rights reserved...... ***PLEASE DON'T GIVE MY CLIENT A HEART ATTACK... SHE'S 88 YEARS YOUNG!!!***
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