Dumb question, but I’m not familiar with real estate transactions that involving a RE lawyer instead of an agent. Do these circular conversations happen more often? Agents certainly have a desire to move the deal forward and I imagine are more likely to “work on the expectations” of their client.
More transactions around here are pocket listing and off market, which starts to erode the value of a RE agent. So I’m wondering if more buyers will move to using lawyers for a flat fee to handle the contract.
It is a good question. It depends on your market but I don’t see most buyers going toward lawyers, in the near future at least. In Denver there is at least one Real Estate company that is similar, they charge a flat fee for buying or selling. When they arrived in the Denver market a lot of established realtors didn’t like working with them because they were attempting to change the game. Two years ago their flat fee for either buying or selling was $2,500. A buyer in Denver doesn’t pay their agent. As a seller you pay 3% listing fee to seller agent and 2.5% to buyers agent. We used them, earned and saved thousands of dollars and it was a good experience but it isn’t for everybody.
Unless this is a complete remodel, what was the code 100 years ago. If it is all pre existing and it predates code call it out as an awareness or recommendation only.
Yeah, I wouldn’t be talking with any attorney’s, sellers agents, or sellers about this. I work with the person paying me, and the buyers agent in most cases with the buyers authorization. With that said, keep it simple. If you’re questioning say confined space (which unless it opens up behind you), Blah appears to be installed within a confined space with inadequate combustion air. Recommend further evaluation by a qualified plumber, HVAC, etc.
Panel clearance doesn’t meet current acceptable standards, recommend blah. Some will say that we’re the pros and that you know what’s right or wrong and to be more specific. Some will say pass the responsibility on to a specialist. Honestly in this situation with so much wrong I’d probably state that the installs are unprofessional and that HVAC, Plumbers, and electricians need to further evaluate and correct.
That is the old school way, everyone used a lawyer to purchase a home, and was the ‘norm’ long before Realtors took control in most areas.
Hell, years ago, Realtors ONLY listed and showed homes… and was the errand girl chasing down paperwork and other minor functions. They got greedy as the prices of homes increased, and formed the NAR to gain more control and power, spewing their ‘con’ that lawyers weren’t needed so why pay the extra $$$ for them… sorta like home inspectors nowadays!!
Maybe the buyer and The Lawyer would feel better about if you said, you are Right, silly me…The Furnace and Electrical Panel is OK…Just yank out the Toilet, Sink… oh yes…and the Door …
toilet doesn’t have 15" from center of bowl to side and doesnt have 21" in front as required. breaker panel doesnt have 36" clearance at front. dont see combustion air venting. condensate drain has no trap or vent. dont see and secondary condensate drain. romex at bottom of panel isn’t properly fastened.
I believe you can’t draw coombustion air from a bathroom, however, since when wa that a code and is there access to the open space. Also, I see there is a toilet but should we really consider that bathroom?
I agree with everyone else, we are just pointing out what we see. If the seller is upset, they could always remove the toilet. (assuming we have fresh air vents or louverdd door)
Alos elctrical panel is too close to water heater
I too sometimes don’t know how to call out toilet in gas fired mechanical roomn
IMO, Yes!
From what we can actually see, it is a traditional Half-bath (minimum), Toilet, Sink, Mirror, Towel rack, that doesn’t appear to meet standards. .
