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Wayne Zuhl, The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate (Remax First Realty II)

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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

What exactly are they buyers nervous about?

Buying a home in general ... or buying a home that had a fire 20 years ago? 

Here are some encouraging words.  36 years ago I got pregnant. It was a one-time event. My son is 37 today.  Nothing bad happened from that one-time event. It is highly unlikely that will happen again - either another fire in that home, or me getting pregnant. 

Apr 15, 2018 08:40 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

One word. Inspection. I have bought, fixed and sold fire damaged homes. Checking the structure by a qualified inspector is like any other home. 

Apr 15, 2018 09:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,186
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Someone needs a fire distinguisher! LOL

Apr 15, 2018 09:51 AM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 Inspection.

 Permits.

 Fire Department records.

 CLUE 

Apr 15, 2018 12:10 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,967
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hmm. Is there an inspection contingency?  A due diligence period? Nervous is a natural reaction for many buyers. Listen.  Explain .  Advise.

Apr 15, 2018 09:09 AM
Ambassador
2,061,632
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

what's the buyer worried about?  That a house once afire, will once against be afire?? 

Apr 15, 2018 09:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

How ridiculous is that? 20 years? I'd be more worried if it was just rebuilt recently. Just be sure that the home inspector knows it's history before hand.

People make a big deal about it & it's totally unnecessary. You drive a car after a crash repair right?

Apr 15, 2018 12:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

They should be happy as the winner of this one. Imagine all of the homes that haven't experienced a fire. The odds are definitely in their favor not to have another fire if that's all they're nervous about.

Apr 15, 2018 10:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wayne,

Once again, I agree with Michael Jacobs 

Apr 15, 2018 09:59 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,143
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Order Chinese take-out and enjoy it all....

Apr 15, 2018 09:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Inspection and a fire extinguisher!

Apr 15, 2018 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Solid inspection, get copies of permits for all work done. Find out cause of fire. Not sure why they'd be nervous... what are the odds of a house burning down twice? It's been 20 years, afterall and wasn't this disclosed before they bid on the property? Probably now a much "newer" home than others in the neighborhood.

Apr 15, 2018 09:19 AM
Ambassador
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It's been quite a while but a thorough inspection should alleviate concerns.

Apr 15, 2018 01:15 PM
Rainmaker
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Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Get an inspection.

Apr 15, 2018 10:10 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,329
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

A professional home inspection should overcome their worries.

Apr 15, 2018 10:04 AM
Rainmaker
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Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Apr 15, 2018 09:49 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

make sure you have a well-versed home inspector...and if there's a question about any facet of the home, have a specialty inspection performed on that facet.... 

I'd check with the building dept. in the town to see what was done for reconstruction.... they had to pull a permit and have it signed off....

Apr 15, 2018 09:40 AM
Rainer
44,891
Dan Capra
LAER Realty Partners - Lowell, MA
Listing/Buyer Agent

if it was rebuilt not sure what the nerves are about but a home inspection will certainly help

Apr 16, 2018 05:05 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl - good news, Buyer! The home is 're-build' so enjoy.

Apr 15, 2018 11:09 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

It has been 20 years...

Apr 15, 2018 10:44 PM
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I actually would recomment a structural engineer inspection.

Apr 15, 2018 09:42 PM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Twenty years ago?  What are their concerns?

Apr 15, 2018 08:40 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,427
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I'm sure the embers have cooled by now. 

Apr 15, 2018 04:26 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Had to give reassuring words without knowing why they are nervous about

Apr 15, 2018 03:44 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

If the home was rebuilt it had to go through codes and the more updated requirements. The codes inspectors would have looked at everything with a fine tooth comb even more so than if it had been new construction. Tell the buyer to take a deep breath and look forward to his new home.

Apr 15, 2018 03:36 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Home inspection

Apr 15, 2018 02:12 PM
Ambassador
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

It's great that they know about it but, when a home is re-built after a fire, there are countless inspections before the home can be occupied again. Those inspections are done by both the insurance company and the city/county - at least in NC & SC.

As well, the sellers have been living there for 20 years - lightening strikes, grease fires, tipped over candles - those are all accidents or natural occurrences that bear little to no chance of ever occurring again.

They will also have their own inspections to allay their fears. 

Good luck, Wayne & Jean Marie!

Apr 15, 2018 02:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Bring a good inspector or few.

Apr 18, 2018 11:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

If it was rebuilt, it has updated wiring, so should not have that same issue again, especially after twenty years.

Apr 18, 2018 07:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I would say no more risk then buying any other 20 year old house.

Apr 18, 2018 06:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

A fire extinguisher would be a great closing gift.

Apr 17, 2018 08:34 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I'd ask them questions that would reassure them such as:

  • Does the home fit your family's needs?
  • Do you love the location and community?
  • Could you find a better home at the price?
  • Do you know that we can have any and all inspections prior to moving forward?
  • Do you have any other questions or concerns?
Apr 16, 2018 09:05 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Get a good inspector.

Apr 16, 2018 05:53 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Fred Griffin nailed this one!

Apr 16, 2018 05:30 AM