Nightmare situation for young home buyers

[Cajuncowboy]

Soon after John Bates and his wife moved into their first home, the euphoria of realizing the American Dream gave way to a nightmare of foul odors, unexplained illnesses and spiraling costs.

A standard home inspection had revealed no problems with the home, in Suquamish, Wash., near Seattle. Bates, a Navy veteran and pipe fitter, and wife Jessie were thrilled to get the home on a 2-acre lot for $235,000, and they moved in with their then-7-year old son, Tyler, in March 2007. But soon after, the boy developed breathing problems, John Bates became "perpetually sick" and Jessie Bates developed strange skin rashes. It was a mystery until a year and a half later, when a neighbor casually mentioned what the previous occupant did for a living.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/2...tmare-for-unwitting-homebuyers/#ixzz1z12FaTJP

 

[WoodysGirl]

I can't even imagine having to deal with a situation like that? I get jeebies if I'm around stinky trash too long.

 

[CashMan]

If the neighbor knew it was a meth lab, why wouldn't you say something right away?

 

[JBond]

You always talk to the neighbors before buying a home. I thought most people would know that.

I feel bad for the folks that got stuck in that type of situation.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

You always talk to the neighbors before buying a home. I thought most people would know that.

I feel bad for the folks that got stuck in that type of situation.

I didn't when Mrs CCF and I bought our place. I don't know of anyone who does that, maybe it is more prevalent in your neck of the woods than up here in the Pacific Northwest.

 

[WoodysGirl]

You always talk to the neighbors before buying a home. I thought most people would know that.

I feel bad for the folks that got stuck in that type of situation.

I didn't talk to the neighbors where I live before I got my home.

However, I did come by at night to check out the area.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I didn't talk to the neighbors where I live before I got my home.

However, I did come by at night to check out the area.

I barely even know my neighbors and I have lived there over 10 yrs. When we see each other we just kind of wave.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I barely even know my neighbors and I have lived there over 10 yrs. When we see each other we just kind of wave.

Ditto that.

I've been here for 12 years and while I recognize them all who live nearby, I only "know" one of them.

 

[Aikmaniac]

Probably safe to say that the "standard" inspection was not a four-point walkthrough.

I'm buying my first house right now and am learning on the run.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Probably safe to say that the "standard" inspection was not a four-point walkthrough.

I'm buying my first house right now and am learning on the run.

I wish I had know more than I did. I'm paying for it now.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

A neighbor of my parent's living next door committed suicide (allegedly in the garage with the motor on). The house went up for sale. A couple came to see the house and spoke to my mom for 10 minutes after looking at it and asked a few questions. The couple never specifically asked about a suicide or anything like that nor did my mom feel it was appropriate at the time to volunteer anything about the suicide to a total stranger. Right or wrong? Should my mom have said anything or just let it go?

My parents and the couple became good friends. Several years later the couple got wind of the rumor and thought it couldn't be true because my mom never said anything about it before they bought the house. The couple asked my mom and she told them about what allegedly happened. I think the couple was kind of hurt but they still remain friends to this day.

Perhaps it would be wise to do a criminal background check on a property before buying. See if someone was arrested at that location ever. Do they offer those criminal background checks on homes today? Seems like a good business opportunity. I'd want to know if someone committed a murder, suicide, molestation, etc. before buying.

 

[Illini88228]

A neighbor of my parent's living next door committed suicide (allegedly in the garage with the motor on). The house went up for sale. A couple came to see the house and spoke to my mom for 10 minutes after looking at it and asked a few questions. The couple never specifically asked about a suicide or anything like that nor did my mom feel it was appropriate at the time to volunteer anything about the suicide to a total stranger. Right or wrong? Should my mom have said anything or just let it go?

My parents and the couple became good friends. Several years later the couple got wind of the rumor and thought it couldn't be true because my mom never said anything about it before they bought the house. The couple asked my mom and she told them about what allegedly happened. I think the couple was kind of hurt but they still remain friends to this day.

Perhaps it would be wise to do a criminal background check on a property before buying. See if someone was arrested at that location ever. Do they offer those criminal background checks on homes today? Seems like a good business opportunity. I'd want to know if someone committed a murder, suicide, molestation, etc. before buying.

Why would something like a suicide matter? That's not contagious. Meth labs are a big deal because they will make you sick if you live there.

 

[Jammer]

Ditto that.

I've been here for 12 years and while I recognize them all who live nearby, I only "know" one of them.

One of my neighbors is moving after being the original owner of the house for 10 years (I'll be the only original owner left on my cul de sac after he moves). He came by my house Saturday to ask for help moving some furniture. It was the first time I had ever been in his house. We've had numerous block parties but there was never a reason for us to go into his house. It isn't the only house I haven't been in either on my cul de sac.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

You always talk to the neighbors before buying a home. I thought most people would know that.

I feel bad for the folks that got stuck in that type of situation.

Even though we live in a pretty secluded community we even talked to our neighbors before we bought. One of them is Gretchen Wilson and she was real helpful about the area and how the land handles water from storms. It helped us when we negotiated the purchase.

Always talk to your neighbors before you buy.

 

[Aikmaniac]

I wish I had know more than I did. I'm paying for it now.

Luckily, I've had excellent support and advice through the whole thing. Not to sidetrack, but the seller didn't want to use realtors so I had to do some quick studying and lean on some friends who are in the business.

It is cut-throat to say the least if you go in unprepared.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Why would something like a suicide matter? That's not contagious. Meth labs are a big deal because they will make you sick if you live there.

It's kind of creepy to live in a house where someone offed himself don't you think? What if the house is haunted like the one in Amityville Horror?

 

[Hostile]

I've shared this before on this forum. Take a can of Aqua Net hairspray and spray a little bit on the wall. If Meth has been smoked there the spot you sprayed will turn blue.

I do this on home inspections I do for buyers. They need to know.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I've shared this before on this forum. Take a can of Aqua Net hairspray and spray a little bit on the wall. If Meth has been smoked there the spot you sprayed will turn blue.

I do this on home inspections I do for buyers. They need to know.

I have been told that the hair spray thing doesn't work conclusively. But that using spray starch does and will turn it a reddish purple. And even with the starch, if you don't hit a contaminated area it won't show up. It needs to be done in each room of the house and at different locations of the rooms.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

Why would something like a suicide matter? That's not contagious. Meth labs are a big deal because they will make you sick if you live there.

A suicide, murder or other violent crime can stigmatize the property and thereby affect the resale value.

 

[Hoofbite]

I didn't when Mrs CCF and I bought our place. I don't know of anyone who does that, maybe it is more prevalent in your neck of the woods than up here in the Pacific Northwest.

Why wouldn't you?

I see no reason why not.

Regardless of neighborhood, *******s are everywhere and living next to one is not at the top of my wish list.