We toured a home that had many updates from a new concrete driveway to updated kitchen and our buyers were excited about the further changes that they could make to make it "their own" from wall colors to flooring choices.
Then we all went to the lower level.....which was typically stacked with boxes and looking as you would expect it to with someone moving a household of some of everything.
The walls had been painted and in some areas the ceiling dropped with acoustical tile ....a rec room and laundry, plenty of storage,
Along one wall there were steel beams that had been neatly painted and matched the walls. Beams are not an uncommon sight in Wisconsin basements. Walls sometimes need reinforcement and can be out of plumb. We have the ability on our MLS to attach reports...the required property condition report, lead base paint addendum, list of updates, etc. Some agents take advantage of this feature and when working with a buyer it is helpful to have this information at the touch of a keystroke.
No mention of any basement issue...perhaps the work was done by a previous owner...hmmm...seller has lived on the property over a dozen years....contact the listing agent.
"When were the supports added...why....was every wall evaluated? Why wasn't this mentioned on the condition report ?"
The bracing beams were a recent addition...engineering report, receipt and explanation of work done were sent over....but should have been explained on the condition report....buyers and agents become suspicious when major details are left out this report.
As a listing agent...Be a detective....and a historian...make sure sellers tell all they know and you relay it to everyone who needs to know...in Wisconsin...it's the law.
If you are looking to be a buyer in the Badger State...call the Hansons...they will find the house you will want to call home !
Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS
We definitely need to act as sleuths to help our buyers and sellers both. In California we have a zillion disclosure forms and reports that make up a transaction. They can be annoying, but truly serve as an aid--to sellers to disclose everything they know about the property, and to the buyers to investigate thoroughly.
Sally & David, Congrats on the feature!!! Another good example of dotting your i's and crossing your t's...
Yicks...I didn't even know...well thanks...a good way to start the week !
Sally & David:
Great detective work. There should be a permit for this type of work at the town hall (or city hall.) But, I would first ask the sellers to provide information. When was it done and why?
Good point Claudette....the city that this house is located in has a city hall made of permit forms...we know, we live there...:)....we write that in to every contract that open permits must have proof of city inspection and provided to the buyer...we have seen the engineering report and receipt...on to city hall in the am !
Sally and David, another reason why buyers should work with an experienced buyers agent who looks out for their best interests.
Yes, its our duty/responsibility to make sure our clients are aware of anything that could affect their buying decision
Good job Sherlocks. Just one of the many hats agents have to wear.
Actually, this post gives me an idea to do the history of a home in a document.
Hey Cheryl...very cooool...we do that with update history...hats are my thing Charita...watch for Halloween posts and my collection..good catch Bernadine...it is our responsibility to tell all we know...You bet Michael..one more reason that counseling is a great asset !
What's a basement? Texas uses a state-promulgated disclosure that each seller completes on single family homes. It covers a wide range and is designed to make them think. We still see issues from time-to-time.
Tom
Yes, this would certainly make me, and any buyer I would think, suspicious...the lister should have known to provide this info on the datasheet/in the docs in the first place!
An excellent post about being on the look out for "red flags". You don't need to be the expert on what is right or wrong - but you do need to bring these red flags to the attention of the Buyer if you see them!
Normally, if I see something worrisome on a home my clients purchase, I make sure the inspector is aware of our concerns. Basements are a big deal here and buyers want them dry and sturdy.
It's always best to disclose these things at the outset. This obviously suggest structural issues.
we don't necessarily think that beams are worrisome...rather have them there than not...just want to know when they got there and if all the walls were evaluated....beams are a good thing...no old heave ho of the walls to have a leaning foundation...
Wow, interesting! Although we see basements in older homes in our area, they're really not very common. And I don't think I've ever seen beams like these.
Always tell sellers to include absolutely everything in the Sellers Disclosure.
Sally & David, your clients are lucky to have you as agents. Great job! Glad to hear nothing was wrong with the beams, but it has to be checked. Better safe than sorry.
If you saw it, it now belongs to our history and now qualifies for disclosure....That is why when you go room to room, say more than no problem. Say what you saw......for every-ones sake....thank you
Sellers have a duty to disclose whatever alterations/repairs they made....if the beams were placed by a prior owner, it would be another story.
Disclose and Inspect!
Just call you two super sleuths - dynomite duo knocking out the competition with amazing accuracy and attention to historical detail! Many times we'll have a home inspection before the property goes on the market - as they are best qualified to find all the things we may not notice or know anything about. Sellers have a duty to disclose all that they know about and most do around here.
u got it Fred...hey AB...we don't do the pre-inspection here...at least not licensed...people would be suspicious it was your brother...mother....
That looks like a major engineering effort to forestall intruding walls, if not try to push them back. They should have been smart and put up a wall, with the mention that "engineered supports" for the foundation wall are in place. No future problems!
Beams are very common here Jay....shifting...fill that wasn't done in the olden days...weather and ground heave here and there...they are actually a comfort...but you do have to say if you had them installed and what brought that installation to be...problem, etc.
Sally & David - there are times you just have to ask more questions, to know more about the history of a house, just to be safe - great post!