How do I locate a buyer’s report?

We are planning to make an offer on a home that had a prior sale fall apart. Is there a way to get a hold of the buyer’s reports from the sales that fell through? We’d liked to read the reports before we submit a purchase offer.

You are assuming there were inspections from the sale that recently cancelled. Many sales fall apart before the buyer’s inspectors step foot on a property. During cancellations, many buyers and their agents withhold written inspection reports from listing agents and sellers although most purchase contracts state that buyers are to share their written findings with all parties.

Often, however, they don’t. Many sellers and their agents don’t want so-called tainted buyer’s inspections in their possession. If the sellers and the agents receive reports, they are to pass them along to the next buyers. Because of that, most listings agents will not ask for buyer’s inspections upon cancellations. However, anyone can contact California’s Structural Pest Control Board in Sacramento for a termite report completed on a property. I’m sitting in an apartment waiting for my escrow to close. I was rushed out of my home and another mortgage payment is due. Now they are asking for another ten days. The real estate agent is telling me the financing is the problem. What can I do? If you have lost faith in your list agent, or if you want to go around him or her for answers, you can call the supervising broker of the buyer’s real estate agent. You also can call the buyer’s loan officer. If you decide to take these important steps, do not lose your cool. You are gathering information and need to hear what is happening firsthand. By now, agents, buyers and loan personnel are stressed to the breaking point regarding this transaction. Don’t provide anyone of them with motivation to break the sale. The fact that you are calling and reminding the parties what’s happening from your point of view will speak volumes. Enlisting their help, not their scorn, is paramount.

Pat Kapowich is a full-service Realtor representing first-time buyers to re-sizing sellers. Take a Saturday morning class with Pat at De Anza College or contact him a 408245-7700 and Pat@ SiliconValleyBroker. com.