I did a home inspection yesterday with my buyers. The seller and his realtor were present as well. The home inspection did not go well, it actually went from bad to worse. The furnace had been altered and the duct work had been chopped up to enable the previous owners to finish the basement. There was a gas line that wasn't capped and it was still active. Potentially a lethal situation. The shingles on the back of the home are in desperate need of replacing and there is apparent evidence of rodents living in the attic. I requested the seller come look at a couple of the issues that we found.

When I asked him if he had a home inspection when he purchased he said he did. I believe he did not. The seller had purchased this property directly through the seller. He did not have proper representation when he purchased. When you are buying a house that is for sale privately, beware....do your due diligence, get a home inspection and make sure there is a clause in your offer that can provide you with an escape if the home inspection reveals deficiencies that you are not willing to accept.

I feel terrible for this seller, not only did he not know about many of the issues in his house but now he is aware of a lot of serious problems and will need to disclose.