How Would You Handle This? Attic Cannot Be Inspected

aurera profile photo

I'm in contract to purchase a duplex. Inspection has been done and everything looks good. The inspector however was not able to get into the attic as it has been sealed off and seller is not willing to cut a hole in the ceiling.

The roof is a few years old and in good shape. Everything is already set up and ready to close. I am hesitant though bc of the many horror stories I've heard with the attic being a major source headaches.

Aside from backing out of the deal, what else could I do?

Comments(4)

  • naxtell21st November, 2003

    Request a warranty from the seller. Just a thought.

  • acjrII21st November, 2003

    tell him you will cut the hole and if you find a mess you close the hole and walk away.

  • BAMZ21st November, 2003

    Hi aurera,

    You may or may not have a problem here. I will tell you that I purchased a property this summer from a lady who owned her house for over 30 years. I knew the house needed some work but the price was right. Guess what area I neglected to check? That's right, the attic.

    She had filled the attic Jam-Packed with everything over the past 30 years that she wanted to discard. From typewriters, old dish sets, christmas trees, 30 years of old clothing etc. Needless to say, it cost me $1400 to have it taken out and hauled away!

    If the seller is stil weary about cutting a hole in the ceiling so that you can view the attic, tell them that you will put a little money in escrow with your attorney to have it repaired, if you find something up there that you do not agree with!

    Best of Success!

    BAMZ

  • aurera21st November, 2003

    Quote:
    On 2003-11-21 14:54, BAMZ wrote:
    If the seller is stil weary about cutting a hole in the ceiling so that you can view the attic, tell them that you will put a little money in escrow with your attorney to have it repaired, if you find something up there that you do not agree with!

    Thanks for all your replies.

    BAMZ,
    I presume you mean that it is the seller's money that would be put into escrow, right? And, would you know how long the money can be kept in escrow? For instance, if nothing goes wrong in the first few years or so, then obviously everything was fine at the date of purchase, right? Therefore, does the money go back to the seller after a certain time?

Add Comment

Login To Comment