We are attempting to buy a house (in Westchester) and we had the contracts sent to our lawyer 3 weeks ago. We had the inspection done prior and it went well, but there were 2 items that we wanted to have checked before signing. Unused underground oil tank and the possibility of mold!
We spent over $2,000 having testing done and we just found out its going to cost thousands of dollars to fix. Everyone thought we were crazy spending all that money on the tests - well thank goodness!! and just when you think you can't get anymore bad news .... the neighbors sold their house to a company that is going to make it a 'group home.'
Now we have to decide whether we want to cut our loses and start over...what would you do? I'm so depressed!
missmmpr
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
I think I would move on... I don't think I would want to live next to a group home...that's just me...
dgtlsunshine
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
As much as I am a penny pincher I would have to say cut your losses and move on. You do not want to live next to a group home.
That all happened for a reason. I believe a better house is out there waiting on you guys.
Charly
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
I know - its just hard to give it all up! My FH is SO MAD at me...he said I'm being negative and he hates talking to me about this stuff. Unfortunately - I'm the one who's being realistic. He called the lawyer today and tried to negotiate that the sellers pay for work. I just can't get through to him! I just don't want him to resent me for this!
jennbaby
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
I would also cut my losses and move on. Sorry
Lisa Rose
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
The first house we wanted, we did all the house inspections and tank inspections and all I can say is THANK GOD we did!! We found out that the roof was soooooooooo old it wasnt going to last another winter and the tank was leaking. The roof could be repaired but the tank...now youa re talking about $20K to $50K to clean up...not to mention the EPA, the state, county and town on your ass!!
Cut your losses and move on! Something MUCH better will come along!!
Good Luck!!
KarenG
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
Don't mess around with mold - I say move on.
The group home is just the icing on the cake.
You should be proud of all the research you have done. Bravo! Buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make. You are doing the right things - keep up the good work!
groovypeg
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
whats so wrong with living next to a group home? i am not trying to be arguementative, i just want to know people's reasons. i am working on a commitee to open a group home for the school that i teach at. i would be interested in knowing what some of your concerns would be.
thanks.
KarenG
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
Just curious - did you conduct indoor air quality testing to find the mold or did your inspector see it on his/her inspection?
Charly
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
Karen - Thank you!!! The inspector found it and then we paid someone to go in and perform tests. The test cost us $1,100, the removal/repair will cost approximately $7,000!
Groovypeg -There are all kinds of group homes - some are for ex-cons, disabled people, drug rehab, etc. For me the reason I'm opposed - safety, additional traffic (its a dead end), and in all reality whether its right or wrong it brings down property values. Be prepared for some opposition even if its for a good cause. Sorry
KarenG
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
Posted by Oct04Bride
Karen - Thank you!!! The inspector found it and then we paid someone to go in and perform tests. The test cost us $1,100, the removal/repair will cost approximately $7,000!
I know a little about this from my job (commerical end of real estate). Mold and other Indoor Air Quality issues are a big deal with insurance companies now. If you spend the 7K and have it 'fixed' and it isn't really fixed and it comes back, most insurance policies will have an environmental exclusion that means they will not cover any claims relating to the mold. (not to mention the health problems that can arise from living in a home with this type of problem). If you opt to go for it, I suggest you run the scneario by your insurance company and get their feedback. If you need an agent referral, LMK.
I'd really let it go. I know it doesn't seem like it now but you will find a home that works for you.
junebride04
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
What part of Westchester are you moving to? Just curious b/c FH and I are looking in that area too.
allure
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
I vote also to move on I wish you & Fh all the best
Charly
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
Junebride - we are looking to buy anywhere between White Plains and Ossining. THe closer to White Plains the better - we both commute to NYC, but we have been looking since September. THis is the second time a deal fell through. I'm not going to have a house or a wedding at this rate.
I wish you (better) luck! Let me know if you have other questions - I feel like a pro now!
HappyEverAfter
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
Before we found our house, we had an inspection done on another house, and found out that structurally it was a mess. I was so sad as I thought we were finally at the end of the househunting road, but in the end we decided it was not worth the extra expense, worry and aggravation of negotiating w. the seller on the cost of repairs. I am glad we did, as we ended up w. a better deal. Sorry, but I would say that you should cut your losses. Plus, as non politically-correct as this is, a group home may drive down the resale value of the house, and you could get stuck w. a loss. That is how I talked my DH out of the first house, he did not want to give it up but he came around when he thought about how hard it may have been to sell the house. You will find a house that is right for you Good luck!!
curly2003
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
I was in a very similar situation and we cut our losses It hurt so much b/c we KNEW that was the house for us and we had invested so much already but it wasn't worth it.
Charly
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Re: What else could go wrong? Long sorry
Thank you all! I'm still thinking we should bail but the FH is STUBBORN. So we made some calls....
We are still waiting for a call from the village to confirm whether or not the house across the street is being renovated for a group home or if it was a new buyer. The seller and town think its just a new buyer - but that's not good enough for me! SO i'll wait!
I spoke to the mold people and they said the mold is contained to the crawl space and its due to the fact that the dryer exhaust was fed into the crawl space rather than outside. He feels it is fixable and shouldn't 'break' the deal as long as the sellers agree to pay the $7k - $8k to fix it.
Same with the abandoned underground oil tank - as long as they agree to have it removed and the soil tested - we are fine with that.
So I'll let you know what happens....thanks for your advice and support. If you think I missed anything or have any additional advice please let me know!!! Many minds are better than one!
