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Is "Extensive Waterproofing" Something to Boast About

By
Real Estate Agent with @Properties

I am working with a family that is relocating from the East Coast and looking for a home in the North Shore.  Today I sent them a new listing that had "Extensive Waterproofing" listed in the remarks section of the listing.

They emailed me and asked if that is needed often and are there "extensive" water issues here.  Wet basement

That made me think that perhaps that is not the best advertising.  Sure, the work has been done and supposedly the buyer can rest easy, but I wonder about stating the fact upfront. Sellers are required by law to complete the Illinois Real Property Disclosure Report.  Look at question #2:

Illinois Disclosure Report

If the seller answers the question with a yes there is room at the bottom of the form for explanation.  If extensive waterproofing was done, tell us there and provide the receipts.  And make sure that mold, if any, was remediated.

The Chicago North Shore villages have certain areas that are designated flood zones by the federal government.  But I will be the first to tell you that I have listed homes in the middle of the flood zone and the sellers never had a drop of water.  Conversely, I have owned three homes none of which were in the flood zone, yet all three have had various amounts of basement leakage. 

Buyers new to this area must be educated in flooding and water issues, particularly in their basements and yards. Winnetka is currently in the throes of beginning a large stormwater tunnel project that will alleviate the worst of the flooding in the affected areas.

Sellers must be forthright in disclosing defects in their homes, to the extent that they know them. Completing this form is mandatory and does give the prospective buyer important insight into the home.  

My opinion is that it's not necessary, perhaps it's overkill, to proclaim and advertise at the outset that this work has been done.  A buyer working with a good real estate broker will perform their due diligence and know what problems exist.  Why taint a home's reputation before stepping over the threshold?

 

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Specializing in homes for sale in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Northbrook, and Evanston.

Comments(7)

Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Is the problem solved or not? That is really the question & if it is it's usually under warranty. Would not have used that extensive word - makes you think 'under water'.

Mar 24, 2014 11:42 PM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Lyn - exactly my point.  We want to know if it's solved and a warranty would be even better.  

Mar 24, 2014 11:57 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Margaret:  Why raise red flags regarding what most feel is one of the worst issues a home can have ... water?  Not only will the wording of this listing possibly alarm potential Buyers ... but the Appraiser's going to likely see the listing as well.  Clearly best to avoid that ...

Gene

Mar 26, 2014 06:20 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Gene - I never thought about the appraiser!  It's a red flag, for sure.

Mar 26, 2014 09:48 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

That "extensive waterproofing" isn't going to impress this agent.  I've had experience with these properties and the "waterproofing" is not a cure for water intrusion. 

Foundation problems, drainage problems, etc. cannot be cured by any extent of "waterproofing".

 

Mar 28, 2014 08:34 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Of course, this does depend on area/context and if all the basements in the area have an issue, this can provide reassurance.  But, yes, this is a bandaid and it's best to solve the real issue.  French drains, or something like that is better as it can solve the issue. And, yes, you want to start with the benefits of the house, not the issues.

Extensive is a very poor choice of words and sets up red flags.  What's underneath?  I'm thinking there might be foundation issues and/or issues in ground which can cause additional structural damage.

Mar 28, 2014 08:58 PM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Lenn- I agree and I think buyers are going to be doubly wary of this statement.

Debbie - Exactly right - there are so many reasons why basements flood here and what works in one house might not work in another.  

Mar 29, 2014 11:46 AM