RE/MAX CENTRAL

during the second serious-note-taking tour i asked very detailed questions about the major aspects of the house. Ted provided answers and the caveat that the recent reduction in price would likely resurface a previously interested investor so i would need to get moving on arranging an inspection and financing. i did both. here are the results:

• ROOF: Ted stated a roofing contractor deemed the roof a poorly installed single layer - which was perfect for the more decorative roof i would have installed in a couple years. inspection showed 4 roofs - leaking in various places from attic to basement and requiring a knee wall installation. explanation? Ted can not be expected to vouch for the qualifications of the roofer he quoted.  "good thing you got a home inspection."
• ELECTRICAL; Ted claimed a "new box" was indicative of a recent system update. inspection showed shoddy, unsafe work attic to basement needing a complete overhaul. explanation? the claim was "newer, not new" and yes it is "updated" because it is clearly a breaker box, not fuses. public records show a permit pulled in 1993 but inspection was never completed.
• HVAC: Ted promoted a new a/c and gas furnace. permit shows 9 year old a/c only - furnace installed in 1985. explanation? "I said newer a/c and a gas forced air furnace."    the "a" gas forced air furnace is 28 years old and already functioning on only 3 of 4 chambers. it needs immediate replacement.
• HOT WATER HEATER; advertised in flyer as "newer" is actually18 years old, has an unsafe safety valve and gas leak in connection requiring immediate replacement as well. explanation? "the tenants didn't know its age."
• GARAGE FLOOR; Ted said the large upheaval in cement was likely caused by tree roots - with only one small tree on a side wall? inspection shows it was built on a single slab without support for the walls and the upheaval in the floor is being caused by the settling of the building itself. no permit was pulled for its construction. explanation? "good thing you got a home inspection".
• KITCHEN: Ted said he is personal friends with the installer and knows it was done in 2010. inspection showed newest appliance to be 2008 and all are not working. again, no permit pulled. explanation? "guess the friend's date was off and tenants didn't care for the appliances properly."
• OFFER/COUNTER OFFER - within 2 hours of completing the inspection  i instructed Ted to take steps to pull the accepted counter-offer. at his encouragement i shared the inspection report within the next 24 hours so it could be discussed with the attorney in preparation for a new offer.   four (4) days later Ted informed me the lawyer for the estate is frustrated with my "lack of prompt response" - turns out Ted had failed to open/read/share four (4) emails i had sent over the weekend and waited until Wednesday to contact me! explanation? his secretary was out on Monday. then he stated i'd better pull my counter offer (?!?), the attorney is not interested in dealing with me any longer, why would i expect him to reimburse my house inspection costs? etc. etc  and it goes on from there....
• OUTCOME: Ted refuses to take any responsibility for the sales pitch which caused me to spend $280 on a home inspection and $180 on home equity loan costs. the estate is planning to list the house "As is" without reimbursing me for the inspection report I shared with them at Ted's direction. i am looking into a report to the Board of Realtors.
• DO NOT TOUR A HOUSE WITH THIS MAN! IF HE IS THE LISTING AGENT, GET ANOTHER AGENT TO SHOW IT TO YOU!