Couple doesn’t want advice about vacation home shopping to turn into a family feud
Q: Last weekend, one of our relatives mentioned that they are thinking about buying a riverfront home on 5 acres in the Sierra foothills. My husband asked if the property was on a connected sewer system or had a septic tank, and she did not know. He politely inquired if the home and its detached garage and workshop were on a well or connected to city water. Again, she did not know. Granted, they are at the beginning stages. But it appears the buyer’s agent they are dealing with is not discussing issues associated with mountain living. We are concerned this weekend getaway vacation home might break their bank with unexpected costs. How can we help my husband, who is the eldest of six kids, help his youngest sibling and her family without stirring up old sibling rivalries?
A: Conduct due diligence by contacting an agent in that area of the Sierra foothills and ask that person about potential issues of concern within their mountain community. The vacation property should still have the suburban home-sale routine of a chimney cleaning followed by fireplace/ chimney, home, and termite inspections. The termite operator in that area might be looking for wood-destroying beetles or carpenter ants. And, if called for, a foundation and/or a drainage expert’s visit might be required. Inspectors want to focus on just the house itself. Insist that they inspect any other building on the property. In rural areas, for instance, one will also need to consider well water, septic tanks, water table, underground springs, permits, zoning issues, solar power, stream and lake issues, non-conforming uses, setback requirements, easements, shared roads, fire protection, fencing, availability of utilities, city or county jurisdiction, and distance to community services. Each topic has a cluster of issues, for example: If on a shared well, what is its depth, history, quality, quantity and location? Who maintains the well and is there a written agreement? In rural areas, as in ocean beach neighborhoods, there is another set of best practices. In the 1990s, I was asked to serve on a law firm’s Special Circumstances Disclosure Issues checklist for real estate agents. I know that providing questions your sister-in-law can empower herself with when speaking with the buyer’s agent is an act of love, not rivalry.
Questions? Friends don’t let friends make a move without consulting Realtor Pat, a certified real estate brokerage manager. 408-245-7700 or Pat@ Siliconvalleybroker. com. Broker License 00979413.