h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, we had an inspector out to look at the property and we just heard back from him today.
The well is contaminated with bacteria and the basement has hazardous levels of radon gas.
Pretty much, unless the homeowner decides to fix these defects, we're not going to buy the house and we're right back where we started, except for spending $400 for the home inspection!

The ball is back in their court and they've got until Thursday to let us know...

Aww! That's bad news Jimi. Still it was $400 well spent - especially the radon thingy!

We're hopeful that the homeowners will fix the problems because they've already committed to moving to another place and can't go without our money.

It'll cost them a few thousand to fix, and our mortage lender will not allow us to move into that place in its present condition even if we wanted to!

It should be an interesting week...

Radon?!?!

Yet more evidence that all matters related to real estate are....at the very least odd...

Good luck Jimi!!!! Keep us posted on how it goes...

Thanks Kate! That's why I keep smiling when I read about your fun with the real estate people.

What a fun world! I'm ready to head out to the h2g2 commune.

Hmph. That sucks. But hopefully it will resolve itself. Just as an aside, especially if you're going to take the place after a problem is supposedly resolved (but you should have been doing this anyway) make sure you have an attorney (not from the mortgage people, not from the real estate agency, not from the sellers of the house, an attorney that YOU choose and pay for) look over everything before you close. It just might save you a big headache later. (This advice comes from me listening to way too much old man Bruce Williams on talk radio, but judging from the issues regarding houses that people call in with, it's the best advice ever.) Good luck Jimi!

BRUCE WILLIAMS!

On nights when the Phillies aren't on the AM radio, his show is on in their time slot. I never intend to listen to him, but I think his voice has some hypnotic quality that keeps me tuned in until a commerical break.

Yeah, what's the cost of an attorney on top of all the other hidden fees that you have to pay. They say Pennsylvania has the most bureaucratic home-buying process in the nation...

HOORAY!

It's pretty repetitive actually. People call in about similar things week in and week out. I only listen if I happen to be in the car at that time of evening.

Anyway, Pennsylvania has the most bureaucratic *everything*.

And since I work for a public school district....

Hooray for 'bureaucratic *everything*'!! The more forms we have to fill out in triplicate and then post to the Department of Education's website, the more time I can justify being online and having h2g2 or the Floor up in a different window!