So where is Joe the Plumber when I need him?
I met with one of my favorite past clients today, who wanted to take a look at a home that seemed too good to be true. He was one of
the smart ones who sold his home over a year ago, when he anticipated a more than likely job cut and thought it might be hard to keep his mortgage payments if things got tough at work. Let's call him "Joe the buyer".
Now that he has a new job, he's ready to be a homeowner again. So, "Joe" and I went to look at a cute little home in Downtown Lancaster City that has recently been *renovated* and is being flipped by the investor/owner, who we can call "Joe the Seller".
I know from past experience that these are the homes that need to be looked over with a fine-toothed comb, this one especially since the current owner has only had the property for a month. How much work was Joe the Seller really able to do in just a month's time? A home inspection would definitely be in order for a property such as this, although I highly recommend one for every transaction.
The first red flag was the trickling water that we heard coming from the floor drain in the basement. It was more than a trickle, actually, more like rushing water. A sound I've never heard coming from a floor drain. Oh-uh, what if that drain is somehow connected to the waste line? Nah, couldn't be... Or could it? "Joe the Buyer" and I begin to do some investigating of our own.
Red flag number 2 was raised when we noticed the drain line coming out of the washing machine ran straight down into the concrete floor in the basement. Could that be hooked up to the floor drain? And if so, why is there water running when the washer is not on? Clearly, that drain wasn't being vented either and was improperly installed to begin with.
Joe and I then take a look at the main waste drain, and notice a rubber flexible hose attached (sort of) to it, coming through a hole in the basement ceiling. "Hey Joe, ya know, I have a feeling that it's the *pipe* that is connected to the kitchen sink, right above us".
Red flag number 3. A trip back up to the kitchen and a peek under the kitchen sink confirms our suspiciouns. Not only is this temporary flexible hose used as the kitchen waste pipe, there is no trap in place! The hose runs straight from the sink right down through the floor. Apparently a permit was not pulled for any type of plumbing work from "Joe the City Code Inspector".
A trip to the second floor bathroom revealed the toilet running. Bingo ~ that explains the rushing water sound coming from the floor drain in the basement. Although why the toilet would be hooked up to the floor drain is beyond me. Once we took the tank lid off and jiggled the mechanics in it, the water stopped running and the rushing sound stopped from the basement drain.
Huge red flag number 4 ~ which most likely killed any sort of deal going forward between Joe the Buyer and Joe the Seller.
Joe the Plumber, where were you? Why weren't you around to give these "flippers" some sound advice about how to properly renovate a house before attempting to sell it? Clearly, they did not seek your advice. Which, leads me to sound this alarm to prospective buyers ~ yes, it is a great time to buy a home while the prices are reasonably lower than they have been in this area in a long time. But, please don't overlook the importance of a home inspection. Also, don't overlook the importance of working with a qualified Realtor who could spot many of these red flags before you get too deeply involved in a transaction.
Sellers, when doing renovations to *flip* a house, please don't attempt jobs that are beyond your scope of expertise! There are a number of Joe the Plumbers, Joe the Electricians, and Joe the Roofers, to help you out. If you want "Joe the Buyer" to choose your home from the many that are on the market, you need to make sure it's in the best condition possible.
Buyers, when choosing a Home Inspector, don't choose just any ol' "Joe the Inspector". Here are a number of Lancaster area Inspectors who are members of the National Association of Home Inspectors.
Contact me when looking to buy or sell your Lancaster County Home, . And if it makes you feel good, you can just call me "Joe".
photo credits: adobemac @ flickr; warenski @ flickr
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For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.
Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com
Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.
All content Copyright â“’ 2008 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County
