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Why I LOVE Rain on Inspection Days!!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Properties, Inc.

A few years ago, one of my clients contracted  to purchase an older home in her idea of the "perfect neighborhood."  She had rented in this neighborhood for many years and was absolutely in love with the area. 

We found a fantastic looking home that was everything she was hoping to find in her price range.  On the surface (pay attention, this will be important later!), this home was perfect - original woodwork in great condition, just the right updating while keeping the character and charm of the home intact, and a beautifully manicured lot! 

A week after we contracted, we met the inspector to go through the home.  It was a gorgeous summer day - blue skies, warm temperatures, not a cloud in sight!  About an hour into the inspection we all noticed the sky was getting darker and it looked as though a storm was rolling in over the mountains (we actually get to watch this in Colorado Springs, how lucky are we?!).

Within 15 minutes, the sky opened up and it began to rain.  Not a few drops...I'm talking the cat and dog variety of rain.  As the rain continued, we went into the basement to continue the inspection.  As soon as we got down there, we noticed it.  IT was rain seeping down the walls of the basement.  It wasn't flooding the basement, but it looked as though it was headed that way if the rain were to continue. 

While the inspector tried to find out where the foundation was letting water in, my client sat with a look of horror on her face.  A little info about her might help here - she's single, works a TON of hours, and doesn't have a bunch of extra money or time to work on the house. 

I decided to turn the situation around.  Instead of being disappointed about the house, I told her that we should be thankful that it rained while we were here.  There were no telltale signs of water problems in the basement and the seller hadn't disclosed any problems.  Better to find out now than to find out a month after closing during the next big rain storm.  I told her that while it was totally up to her, my advice would be to run far, far away, very, very quickly.  She told me months later that she really appreciated that I wasn't just trying to get her to buy something...anything. 

Within 24 hours, she was out of the contract to purchase that home and we were out looking again.  She ended up in a totally different neighborhood in a much newer home and is absolutely tickled pink with her new home.

And THAT my friends, is why I LOVE rain on inspection days! =)

Show All Comments Sort:
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Great job, Michele. By recommending your client run, you have certainly set yourself up for some great referrals! Placing your client first - like a professional! Well Done!  Although we do not have basements here in Florida, I like the rain as well. The inspectors I have worked with love to inspect the underside of the roof during a rain shower. Also, it is great to see how the water drains (or doesn't). BTW, we don't have mountains to watch the clouds roll in from but we do have the coastline.... maybe not the same...

Apr 01, 2007 08:13 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator
We don't have basements here, but I like rainy days on inspections because you can double check all the windows and look closer in the attic to see if anything was leaking in.
Apr 01, 2007 09:26 AM
Troy Chowanec
RE/MAX Realty 100 - Franklin, WI
ABR, GRI, CRS

Hmmm....While the desired results were obtained (problems discovered now not later, happy client in the end)  I guess I would have had a different take.  I would have followed the line of helping the client know all options before making a decision.  Maybe in this clients case, it was best to just run to find another home.  In the heat of the moment it is our job as the experienced Realtor to educate and guide but let the client choose the path they are most comfortable with.  I agree that a client should never be pushed into a corner just so we can make a comission.  While I don't know all the specifics of your situation, I do know that I have encountered basement problems many, many times.  With the help of independant foundations experts the true nature of the situation can be discovered.  If the home is liked that much by a client I won't give up until we know the source of the problems and the cost of the solution as well as negotiate who will pay for it.  Worst case is that the client now has an education and will be more prepared to handle the next situation that arises.  

Apr 01, 2007 09:37 AM
Walt Fish
Bay Area Home Inspection, LLC - Marquette, MI
Upper Michigan's Most Experienced Home Inspector

Michele,

Although there is some truth in what Troy mentioned, I commend your decision.  You knew this particular client wanted a "stress free" home when it came to repairs.  Your action engendered trust with your client and she found the home she wanted.  That sounds like a win win for everyone...except the seller, who should have disclosed the problem to begin with.  I find sellers often have some memory problems when it comes to the disclosure statement.  That is why Inspections are so important! 

Apr 01, 2007 09:56 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Great post!  We had the same thing happen, and we took the same approach.  That was 12 years ago!  His roof has not leaked since we did the inspection, and identified the problem.
Apr 01, 2007 10:03 AM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate
Hi Michele- Great job advocating for your client, she was lucky to have you working in her corner! Sounds like you made a client for life!
Apr 01, 2007 11:55 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

WOW!  What luck for your client!  When we built our house here in 2002 and it was rainy in 2003 we were having problems with a french door leaking.  The builder's rep squealed "BUT ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO RAIN IN VEGAS!" ~ after the third time they "fixed" it.  That was such an LOL for me.  Fix it the first time and it won't happen again :)

 

Apr 01, 2007 06:59 PM
Richard Washington, RW Home Inspections
RW Home Inspections - Katy, TX
As an inspector having it rain sure does help to truly test that all important roof.  You will build your client base looking at the long term like you did in advising your client to run.  Exactly the kind of agent I love to work with.  Putting the buyers interests above all else. 
Apr 13, 2007 03:46 PM