Same here, I insulated,sheet rocked,put up walls,fire resistant doors,air flow vents,recessed lights,outlets every 3 feet,leveled and tiled the floor,enclosed storage/refrigerator/wine storage room and was able to feature it as a family/entertainment space which helped to market the house. We went through many back and forth's on the inspection list before an agreeable compromise was finally settled on . So unless the basement reno is masking some structural,electrical, or safety issue, I can't see why the OP would want to walk away from not 1 but 2 deals simply because the buyer is a lawyer...Lawyers beget Lawyers. so hire yourself a doberman of a lawyer and let them settle it in their own indeterminate way.

 

 

 

 

Exactly, why walk away from a deal in a buyers market. The buyer is using that to his advantage. As a seller you just counter his list. That is all. I do believe in pulling the permit though. It saves the buyer's a** if something happens.

Exactly, why walk away from a deal in a buyers market. The buyer is using that to his advantage. As a seller you just counter his list. That is all. I do believe in pulling the permit though. It saves the buyer's a** if something happens.

 

Agreed.

Exactly, why walk away from a deal in a buyers market. The buyer is using that to his advantage. As a seller you just counter his list. That is all. I do believe in pulling the permit though. It saves the buyer's a** if something happens.

 

 

Did you ever feel uncomfortable dealing with someone? This is a decision that will have lifelong ramifications. Am I afraid? No... am I afraid of getting screwed? Yes...

 

This has been going on since August.. negotiations, changes, broken promises. I was upfront with any or all concerns....maybe that was stupid, but i would like someone to be honest with me. However, we are running out of time (settlement in 3 weeks) as this dragged out so long.I did not think it was fair to the people in PA and it was putting me and my wife through turmoil. 21 days to still be uncertain about settlement. Dragging out every single negotiation... some of these demands were totally irrational and would be impossible to settle on. We have negotiated to a point where I can not negotiate any further. Last time I sold and bought was 17 years ago. It was not a perfectly smooth ride but both parties pretty much worked together. Not so much in this case.. I am not totally blameless either as maybe I expected too much. However, you give , give and give at some point you have to take a little. Like I said almost 3 months of negotiations, lost time and through that time period our kids lost the time slot to get into the private school in PA. However, I told him I would stick to my word and sell.

 

BTW, I will get the permit for peace of mind after the first of the year.

 

Believe me, there is nothing more than I want to do more than get out of this state. My wife, kids, money, etc all aligned perfectly. However, this ongoing, perpetual nickle and dime had to either "put up or shut up". Too close to settlement to be negotiating for another week or so.

 

Say what you will, but I think it was getting to the point where both parties will have a bad taste in their mouth. That is never good... I'd rather lose the deal than know both parties walk away ticked.

Does your town require a Certificate of Occupancy? If not then the permit is only good for the town to charge you more taxes. If they do require one and you already got one despite the lack of permit than he can go pound sand.

 

All houses are sold as-is. As long as you weren't hiding anything then nothing is actionable.

Does your town require a Certificate of Occupancy? If not then the permit is only good for the town to charge you more taxes. If they do require one and you already got one despite the lack of permit than he can go pound sand.

 

All houses are sold as-is. As long as you weren't hiding anything then nothing is actionable.

 

Thanks... he wanted this stuff done. Some was no big deal and some was pretty expensive because how it was worded and left a lot to be determined later. He sent his letter and my lawyer is working on his. I really wanted to move to PA, but ultimately some things are just out of my hands.

 

Thank you all for your input.

Thanks... he wanted this stuff done. Some was no big deal and some was pretty expensive because how it was worded and left a lot to be determined later. He sent his letter and my lawyer is working on his. I really wanted to move to PA, but ultimately some things are just out of my hands.

 

Thank you all for your input.

 

OK. If you feel that uncomfortable dealing with the lawyer then call his bluff and refuse to make any concessions on the inspection and see if he caves. You'll be out any monies you have already spent on the transaction but you may be able to walk away relatively unscathed.

Does your town require a Certificate of Occupancy? If not then the permit is only good for the town to charge you more taxes. If they do require one and you already got one despite the lack of permit than he can go pound sand.

 

All houses are sold as-is. As long as you weren't hiding anything then nothing is actionable.

 

Wow - the sheer stupidity of some of the commentary on the forum somehow continues to amaze me. The singular purpose of permits is to certify that work is built in accordance with the appropriate construction codes. The only thing that separates us from the dark ages is plumbing. Sewage and general lack of hygiene (open sewers and dirty drinking water) along with rats spread the black plague. Prior to building permits, boilers exploded, buildings fell down, people died from contaminated drinking water, etc. Don't believe me? Go to a 200 year old house and marvel how the floors are not level and ask yourself did the master carpenters of that time really not have levels back then?

 

All houses are sold as-is SUBJECT TO THE LAW. As-is without a stove is not a legal dwelling. As-is without hot water is not a legal dwelling. As-is with unpermitted modifications requiring permits inside the home are equally illegal. As I mentioned before, permits remain with the structure so if you as the current owner manage to sell the house having made modifications without permits and the town finds out later and requires permits, they don't require them of the guy that sold the house and is long gone, they require them of the occupant at that time. Also, any open permits (ie not inspected and closed) upon sale of a home are now the responsibility of the new owner...

 

But yeah - they're gonna tax you more for that new 40 gallon water heater, that roof, those replacement windows.

Wow - the sheer stupidity of some of the commentary on the forum somehow continues to amaze me. The singular purpose of permits is to certify that work is built in accordance with the appropriate construction codes. The only thing that separates us from the dark ages is plumbing. Sewage and general lack of hygiene (open sewers and dirty drinking water) along with rats spread the black plague. Prior to building permits, boilers exploded, buildings fell down, people died from contaminated drinking water, etc. Don't believe me? Go to a 200 year old house and marvel how the floors are not level and ask yourself did the master carpenters of that time really not have levels back then?

 

All houses are sold as-is SUBJECT TO THE LAW. As-is without a stove is not a legal dwelling. As-is without hot water is not a legal dwelling. As-is with unpermitted modifications requiring permits inside the home are equally illegal. As I mentioned before, permits remain with the structure so if you as the current owner manage to sell the house having made modifications without permits and the town finds out later and requires permits, they don't require them of the guy that sold the house and is long gone, they require them of the occupant at that time. Also, any open permits (ie not inspected and closed) upon sale of a home are now the responsibility of the new owner...

 

But yeah - they're gonna tax you more for that new 40 gallon water heater, that roof, those replacement windows.

 

Not necessarily... nobody can answer that question for sure. Each town has its own permit requirements. For example, my town does not require permits for new windows, doors, non-load bearing structures, toilets, sinks, stoves, flooring, etc. and certain other modifications UNLESS you are altering the framework. Some towns let you do quite a bit without permits and some require permits to change carpets. Some areas you can get a CO by simply walking into the township building and requesting one, most simply use a fire Marshall to check detectors and make sure faucets work. Yet some locations check records and do a full inspection before transition.

 

Bottom line, you need to check with your township. I have mixed feelings on permitted codes and inspections. I have seen obvious shoddy work pass code that was obviously not to code and I have seen inspectors abuse their power and giving people a very, very hard time over trivial details.

 

Either way, I feel having independent code inspections and approvals by PRIVATE companies would work much better than the system you have right now. Reason being, if someone buys your home the company you work with will have all your code information on hand. Also, this will create competition, better service and much less ABUSIVE power. Anyway, that is my feeling on the permit system and improving it.

Wow - the sheer stupidity of some of the commentary on the forum somehow continues to amaze me. The singular purpose of permits is to certify that work is built in accordance with the appropriate construction codes.

 

Yeah maybe ideally but we all know that is in practice that statement is just silly.

 

A DIY-er who does their homework and doesn't cut corners doesn't need permits except that they may hinder a sale.

A DIY-er who does their homework and doesn't cut corners doesn't need permits except that they may hinder a sale.

 

Whatever man. Do it your way. Just pm me your real name so I am sure not to ever consider buying your house.

Word to the wise... make sure you get a good and knowledgeable agent. After the contract got cancelled there were several misunderstandings and "story changes" from seller to agent to other agent to buyer and then back. Now I see why the agents put several clauses that they can not be sued. I believe this deal would have went much smoother had all parties been informed properly.

 

After hearing the buyer's side via quick emails after the fact we could have had this resolved.I believe he knows where I am coming from as well. I think next time I will sell myself, get a lawyer to do the paperwork and go from there. I guess I relied too much on the agent and that is my fault. Some life lessons need to be taught the hard way, unfortunately.

 

Signed,

 

Almost seller.

ahh - and now we get to the bottom line issue... agents. A good one is worth it, a bad one can screw up a deal as you just found out. The thing I guess I ask at this point is, knowing both sides now, could the two of you (buyer and seller) manage to hammer out a deal and still get this done??? If so, the agents will still get their commission (it's in the contract...) but you might still be able to sell your house.

ahh - and now we get to the bottom line issue... agents. A good one is worth it, a bad one can screw up a deal as you just found out. The thing I guess I ask at this point is, knowing both sides now, could the two of you (buyer and seller) manage to hammer out a deal and still get this done??? If so, the agents will still get their commission (it's in the contract...) but you might still be able to sell your house.

 

Am I allowed to contact him directly? The contract has been voided on both the buy here and in PA.

Am I allowed to contact him directly? The contract has been voided on both the buy here and in PA.

 

At this point, what do you have to lose by contacting him directly? The problem becomes that both agents are entitled to their commissions as per the listing contract UNLESS you can show that their actions resulted in the loss of a sale. With the buyer being a lawyer he will know what can and cannot be done legally but my guess is that you will still need to pay their commissions, but if you preserve the sale on this end and the buy on the other, do you really care?

At this point, what do you have to lose by contacting him directly? The problem becomes that both agents are entitled to their commissions as per the listing contract UNLESS you can show that their actions resulted in the loss of a sale. With the buyer being a lawyer he will know what can and cannot be done legally but my guess is that you will still need to pay their commissions, but if you preserve the sale on this end and the buy on the other, do you really care?

 

 

Exactly,

I would have gotten their #, called the lawyers and asked for a sit down. Get everything out in the open with buyer, seller and lawyers in one shot. Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns to get things done.

 

I had an issue with the builders agent and said so words I can't post (I am sure those that know me can imagine) anywho, she basically tried to keep me out of my final walk through on my house that we had built. So I hired a home inspection guy. Not just some guy, the head on the State od NJ home and building inspectors association. $400 and this guy found stuff I didn't even know or think of. Was on the roof and found nailed shingles on the non nailed part. Found issues with my fireplace covering. I can go on. Guy was there 5.5 hours and printed out a report right there. She had to sit there all for being a D!ck.

 

Was there things I found after the fact, sure but I did the best with what I have and the truth is, they didn't see it coming. Sometimes you think outside the box.

 

I think you should contact the guy and ask if he is still interested. Go back to the lawyers and see what you can do. Who cares if you pay the fees. I will tell you that selling by yourself is extremely hard and in the state of NJ, agents will not show people FSBO's. They just pass right by them.

Bryan, I'm going to bet that you got your $400 inspection fee back at closing...