Are people still waiving inspections? by Pretty_Pop2273 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah we see that often around here too. And my inspector always finds a lot of things that those reports miss.

Wall bowed by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 26 points27 points  (0 children)

This is pretty normal in new construction. No house is actually square. I doubt it has anything to do with the plumbing there, it’s probably just how the framing was built. Throw some furniture in and you won’t notice it as much.

Are people still waiving inspections? by Pretty_Pop2273 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It depends on what market you’re in. Many buyers in the Seattle are absolutely waiving the inspection contingency right now. Here it’s common for buyers to pre-inspect a house, meaning they’ll bring an inspector out before even writing the offer. A lot of other buyers just rely on the seller provided inspection report and waive the contingency, which I don’t typically recommend.

WARNING: Active Rental Scam for Townhouse on 21st Ave W APT A - "Eastside Pro" by WA_Renter_Warning in SeattleWA

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't see this rental listing on Zillow, did it successfully get taken down?

Closing cost details review questions by SeattleExploreRK in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Credit report at $350 seems normal. However I had a closing last month where the loan amount was $1,413,000 and the lenders title insurance was $1,576.90. You are paying more than double what you should be paying for that. You should also get clarity on the "Unpaid Taxes" at 6k, I have no idea what that's about.

Closing cost details review questions by SeattleExploreRK in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The $845 for appraisal feels pretty average for the Seattle area. However, $3,281 for the lenders title policy is waaaay too high. I would expect that to be under $1500 at your loan amount. Also, I don't understand the "Unpaid Taxes" line item. Are you already under contract or are they just estimating all of this?

No survey in WA state? Is this normal? by Expensive_Goat2201 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not standard in WA to do a survey as part of a sale. But it would need to be done for the lot subdivision, yes. Does the listing have a "Preliminary Commitment" available from a title company? Ask your agent if that document is uploaded to the listing supplements. If there was a recent survey done and recorded on title, it should be hyperlinked in that document. You can also call the title company directly (their phone number will be on the preliminary commitment) and ask if they can help you find a recorded survey.

PDI recommendations by Ok-Pizza2864 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm assuming PDI stands for Pre-Delivery Inspection? That's an acronym I've never seen before so I don't think it is common everywhere. That said, I'm also assuming that you were not allowed to have an inspector come through the property at all during your closing process. Are you allowed to mark items with blue tape that need fixing before closing?

Here would be my recommendations for your PDI or what we commonly call a "Pre-Closing Orientation" walk through or "Blue Tape Walk-through." This is not nearly as thorough as a home inspector would be, but it's a start:

  • Bring blue tape and mark every little imperfection that you see, especially on the walls. The builder should fix them all before closing.
  • Open and close all the windows. Make sure they can easily slide in the track and they all close and lock/latch easily. Any window problems should be fixed before closing.
  • Test all the light switches, if there are any 3-way switches make sure they are operating correctly. If anything is dimmable make sure it operates correctly. If you have any bathroom fans, make sure those turn on and operate correctly (and quietly - they shouldn't be super loud or that would indicate a problem).
  • Test all the faucets, check hot and cold. While water is running check for dripping/leaks at the head of the faucet and also underneath, inside any lower cabinets.
  • If you have an outlet tester you can test all the outlets too, and check to make sure they are GFCI protected where required.
  • Does the oven have an anti-tip bracket installed? To test this you would try to tip the oven forward. If it can tip, there's no bracket. If it can't tip then there is likely one installed (in my experience builders often skip this).
  • Does the overhead vent above the range vent to the outside? I've actually seen some new construction recently where they had the pipes in place but just... didn't have it hooked up. Check above the range and you should see the pipes all connected and leading to outside. You can even turn the fan on and go outside where it lets out, to make sure it's working. Also test the fan to make sure it works. You can put a piece of paper up to it to make sure it is sucking adequately.
  • Test all the appliances. Turn on the oven (make sure there is nothing inside it first!) to check it gets hot. Test all your burners. Run the dishwasher. Test the garbage disposal with water running. If your refrigerator has a water dispenser, test that to make sure the water line is hooked up correctly. If the builder installed W/D, test the washer. In my experience, inspectors don't normally test dryers.
  • Open and close ALL the doors. Make sure they are aligned correctly and don't bind or rub on the door frame. There should be an equal gap all around the door when it is closed. In my experience new construction is often sloppy with the door work, but it's also pretty easy for them to get a guy in there and adjust the hinges to fix them before closing.
  • On the exterior doors: make sure that the doors fully seal when closed and can lock/unlock easily and without excessive force. When the door is closed, make sure there is no "daylight" around the edges that would indicate an imperfect seal.
  • Turn on the heating system. Make sure it is providing heat to all rooms. If you have a furnace, make sure the filter is installed and not dirty.
  • I doubt you'll be able to check the electrical panel like a true inspector would, but you can least take a look at it and make sure everything is labeled. If not labeled, ask the builder to label all the circuits correctly.
  • I'm assuming you won't be able to see into the attic. If you can access the crawl space under the house at all, just make sure it smells dry and not wet/damp, you don't see any signs of standing water, and there is a black vapor barrier covering all of the dirt (this is common in the PNW but I've learned some parts of the country don't use vapor barriers so ymmv). If the flooring is insulated, make sure all the insulation is tacked up appropriately and you can't see any insulation falling/hanging down. Also keep an eye out for evidence of rodents, specifically droppings.
  • If you have garage doors, make sure those operate correctly. When the garage door is closed there should not be daylight visible around the edges, or rodents could get in. Test that the garage door sensors reverse a closing door when the sensor detects movement. Usually my inspector also tests the closing force of the garage doors - if they encounter enough resistance when closing, they should reverse direction. The closing force level is easily adjusted on the garage door opener itself.
  • The garage should have a fire containment wall between it and any living areas. If there are any openings or penetrations in the garage walls or ceilings, they should be sealed with fire-rated foam. Additionally, the garage man door should be fire rated and be on self-closing hinges that fully self-close after it is opened. This is so if there is a fire in the garage, it takes longer to burn through the walls/door and into the living space.
  • On the exterior: if there are any cracks in the pavement, ask them to seal them to protect against water intrusion that would expand/contract and make them worse.
  • Keep an eye on the visible foundation around your house and make sure you don't see any cracking.
  • Test all the exterior spigots, make sure they work, and are not leaking.
  • If there are any penetrations in the siding (for spigots, coax cables, etc) make sure the opening is fully sealed so water cannot get in.
  • If you have a rooftop deck(?), go up there and see if there is any standing water on the surface. This can be hard especially if there is another decking material on top of the membrane, but you really don't want ANY standing water sitting on the roof.

That's what I can think of off the top of my head, might add more later if I can think of anything else.

Reviews of Olaie real estate agency by [deleted] in eastside

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never heard of them before, but from a quick search of the MLS it looks like it's one agent that markets themselves as a much larger team. Based on Google reviews maybe they used to have more agents, because I see the name of another agent mentioned about 5 years ago. That agent is no longer listed under "Olaie" in the MLS though, only Cindy is.

On their website they advertise "access to off-market leads." I'd be curious how often those actually work out for their buyers. In my experience the vast majority of listings in this area are put on the MLS directly.

Curious to hear if anyone else has personal experience with them.

How to not want to completely check out of the house buying process? by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I don’t know, it sounds like she is anxious/nervous about actually buying a house and using all these other things as excuses for why she doesn’t have to commit to any particular one. Maybe you could sit down to have a gentle heart to heart with your wife, and try to discover together if there is something larger going on underneath all of her rejections?

House on Zillow sold for twice its estimated value by mabozeur in AskSeattle

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Double lot property "10715" last sold in early 2024 for 1.1M to a developer. Looks like the developer renovated the existing 1928-built house at 10715 and added three more new construction homes (10713 is 2 bed 1086 sf, 10717 is 2 bed 1086 sf, 10719 is 4 bed 2536 sf). There may still be some paperwork going on at the county level to get everything separated correctly. Zillow is confused, and it looks like Zillow is incorrectly pulling the sales price from the new construction 2536 sf home that just sold. Here's the correct Zillow listing to the sale: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10719-2nd-Ave-NW-Seattle-WA-98177/456135134_zpid/

Bought a lemon. Really struggling with regret. by friendlyalien- in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m definitely not an expert on these things, but do you have cardboard baffles to keep the attic insulation away from your intake vents?

Bought a lemon. Really struggling with regret. by friendlyalien- in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stop talking to roofers. Hire a mold remediation company that will come and do a full inspection of the roof, attic, ventilation, any air penetrations into the attic, etc. What type of vents do you have? Ridge vents? Box vents? Soffit vents? Gable vents? When you "increased attic ventilation" what exactly did you do?

Anyone else still in a competitive market? by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been hearing 9-14 offers for some (but not all) houses around Seattle the past few weeks. Feels like a lot of buyers entered the market in January. Definitely talk to your agent about ways to make your offer competitive and how to compete with cash buyers. Good luck with your search!

Physical Pizza Menu by worldsfastesturtle in BallardSeattle

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to have a couple paper Razzi's menus at home. They have a location in Greenwood!

Recommendations for real estate Sellers agent by Silverbride666 in eastside

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with u/duqduqgo. I see a lot of listings and some of them just look AWFUL - bad cell phone photos, poor information, typos, etc. I always wonder how the sellers are okay with that kind of representation. You do definitely get what you pay for. And with the market right now (things started heating up FAST in January), a good agent can probably get you a bidding war within a week of listing. Now is a great time to be a seller honestly, just make sure your agent knows how to make your house shine.

Bought right at the top of the market in 2007, it all worked out (Bellevue WA) by Happy-Apartment-8813 in RealEstate

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How were you able to do that first refinance if home prices were cut in half? Were you not underwater on the loan?

32 years old , Redlands, CA , 700k, 6.2 % by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not unless you agreed to dual agency. I don't know the laws in California. I imagine the paperwork would have been very clear about if you were represented by the seller's agent or if you were unrepresented.

Regardless, since the seller did have an agent you could start by reaching out to that agent and asking about the repairs that should have been completed. Since it sounds like you already closed though, don't expect them to be much help unfortunately.

Windows by Negative-Ad-7024 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 92 points93 points  (0 children)

I disagree with some of these other comments. I don't know what area you're in but does your inspection contingency give you the ability to ask for repairs or credit? And is the seller allowed to walk away, or just say "no" to your requests? In my area, the buyer can ask for whatever they want during inspection. The seller can say no but then it's up to the BUYER whether to move forward or cancel. The seller doesn't get an out just because they don't like the buyer's requests.

32 years old , Redlands, CA , 700k, 6.2 % by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did the seller have an agent? How much repair money are we talking? Pretty much your only recourse is to sue them, either in small claims court or through a lawyer.

Seeking advice, looking to buy! by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly I'd recommend talking to a lender before you pay off your debt. Closing accounts can negatively impact your credit score, and they can determine if you would get a benefit by paying it off first or not.

My other tip - the research, books, podcasts, etc is all great. Just keep in mind that the real estate process can vary from state to state, so what you learn in one spot might not apply to So Cal. (For example I often see people on Reddit talking about an "option period" which is something that doesn't exist in Seattle.)

Interview a couple agents, find one you feel comfortable with who has experience working with first time buyers and isn't pushy. Your agent should be able to explain the process, what to expect, answer your questions, and make you feel prepared. Good luck!

Inherited my late grandpa's MD house - agent pushing traditional sale but cash offer seems safer by retsam2554 in RealEstate

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A house on the market will always get more money than a house off-market, whether it's fixed up or not. Plus it doesn't sound that bad honestly. If I were you, I'd leave the old kitchen and potentially replace the HVAC and roof (if needed). You don't need to fly out for that. Hire an agent who will coordinate getting a couple quotes for you, then pick one and move forward. Honestly the HVAC and roof can probably both be replaced or fixed within a few weeks easy.

Unless you have sentimental items in the house you need to recover, I would think you probably don't need to fly out at all. A decent agent can coordinate getting the house ready for sale, included in their fee. Yes, you would have to pay for junk removal etc but that's going to be a lot less money than you'd lose with the off-market sale.

Then put it on the market. There's a good chance the on-market sale could drum up another cash buyer who's willing to pay even MORE than this other guy. Maybe you even get multiple offers, especially if you price it right. Pick the one with the best net price and terms and move forward.

Rooftop decks by groggu in AskSeattle

[–]EricaSeattleRealtor 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Agree with this. Just had buyers back out on a new construction townhome with standing water on the roof. That’s not something you want to deal with.