I did. In 1977. (Notice the date. This was well before the Michigans Sellers Disclosure
Act that was signed into law in 1993)
This was also before home inspectors and agency laws.
During a tour of my first home prior to purchasing it I noticed two things that peaked
my curiosity and mentioned them both to the listing agent.
"My, there is a lot of distilled water bottles in the utility room!" (Her response: The
seller does quite a bit of ironing.) Stupid me. I believed that.
"Goodness, this basement is awfully clean and dry for being so close to the river!" (Oh
yes, the cement is so clean it looks new!) The cement overlay was new, but we
didn't realize that until months later.
My husband and I bought the house. The first day in our new home I put on a pot
of coffee. After the coffee brewed and I took my first swallow I had to run for the sink
to spit it out. It was so salty I wondered if I mistakenly added salt instead of sugar
to my cup. No, that wasn't it. The water was incredibly salty. In fact, you couldn't
drink it. The bottles of distilled water in the utility room suddenly came to my mind.
Yes, I'd been had. I cannot put into words how sorry I was that I believed the
sellers agent and didn't stop to think to taste the water before we purchased the home.
Note: We also weren't aware that well water could be tested.
Several months later in the early spring during the time that snow melts and
the rainy season starts our lovely basement started to leak. And continued to leak.
There was no stopping it. The overlay of new cement peeled and cracked and came
apart from the walls and floor.
For the first few years we spent time, energy and $$ diverting water away from the
home, not storing anything in the basement that meant anything to us. Our furnace
and water heater were lifted on to cement blocks to protect them.
Things have changed considerably since I purchased my first home.
We have sellers disclosure laws in affect. Sellers must disclose material defects.
Consumers also have access to home inspectors, engineers, licensed contractors,
and well & septic inspectors. Consumers are armed with those that can help them
determine the condition of the home they wish to purchase.
Consumers are also protected by the ability to have a real estate agent represent
them and their needs. Buyers agents are becoming even more valued in our area.
Do I remember what happened to me when I represent a buyer? You betcha! That
experience will never leave me nor be far from my mind. In fact, I think it has helped
to make me a more conscientious real estate agent.
Does anyone else have a story to tell about their first home purchase and if their
experience has helped shape them as a real estate professional?
Ask me about buyers agency and how to protect yourself when purchasing a home in Macomb County MI.
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