There is a lot of wisdom in this short article. Taking a second look is often the smartest approach - even if it has only been a few days since the initial visit.
Properties can (and do) get vandalized. Properties can be neglected. Properties can be stripped by owners.
It just makes sense to take a second look...and then a thorough inspection later. One can never be too cautious on such a major investment!
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I got a call last week from buyers that had looked at a house over a month before and decided they were now ready to buy it. They asked me to draw up an offer. I told them that since it had been awhile since we had seen it, we should head back out to check the condition of this vacant property. I recommended we walk the perimeter and double check the inside before they proceeded ahead.
I contacted the listing agent, asked several questions and made my appointment.
When we pulled up to the property we were a bit taken aback at what we saw. The grass was several feet tall. This was definitely a city code violation, but the vacant house sitting next door, also for sale, had grass and weeds equally as high. It was dusk and the front culvert was filled with water. The mosquitoes were terrible.
We barely got up to the front door. This was a day I wished I had worn closed toed shoes. I usually dress for the occasion when I'm showing properties to investors, as I never know what to expect. But, this was no investor.
We couldn't see most of the lower half of the house and we couldn't get around to the back of the property.
When we walked inside things were different than the previous time we had looked at the house. It was evident that someone had been there. The ceiling fans and light fixtures were now missing, with bare wiring exposed. The mirror, sink and vanity had been taken out of one of the bathrooms. A couple of screens were missing or ripped and there was a window with several BB holes in it. The house had mold growing on the outside walls. The outside A/C unit was missing from the side of the house.
This was an FHA buyer. So, it took less than 5 minutes to determine that this was a house was no longer an option for them to buy, nor did they still want it.
It was surprising the difference in this property since we had seen it before.
This house had been on the market for sometime now. And, my guess is that it would be on the market for another year.
Funny, because I thought about how frustrated the neighbors probably were with looking at this place and the house next door.
It pays to ALWAYS go and look at a property again, BEFORE writing an offer to purchase!
Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR®
Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate
We have a team to facilitate your Short Sale.
Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate
321-253-4545
SandyShoresMelbourne@hotmail.com
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Serving Brevard County Florida for 15 Years
Brevard County Resident for 36 Years
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Cocoa, Canaveral Groves, Titusville, Mims, Melbourne Beach,
Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach,
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Gary L. Waters PLLC, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region.
Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.
