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Musings from a variety of people from Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
12/13/2015
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UNREAL Estate in Delaware County
The "Real Estate agencies in Delaware County have one thing in common. To SELL. Hey, that's what they are expected to do when you approach them when you want to sell your property. But what most people don't know is that they all conspire with each other in my opinion (I do not have hard proof mind you) to keep the "Market Price" as high as they can, regardless of how the economy is doing.
I have worked for several of them over the past thirty years, from wiring new townhouses and single homes from the ground up, to providing safety inspections for a "U and O" "Use + Occupancy" certification. Many times I was told that the "Owner" thought that the price was too high, and what could be done to "Hide" or mask over problems, Being the good honest Electrician I am, I chided them for caving in to their client, and either correcting the problem, or telling them to find someone else.
The last dealing that I had involved a "Friend" (Insert Name Here), back in November. She called me after dinnertime and told me that She needed a GFI replaced in a house that was to be inspected in Clifton Heights Boro the following day. So I went to Home Depot as the supply houses were closed and purchased a White 15 amp, tamper Proof GFCI receptacle and cover plate. Upon entering the house I met a young couple, already living there. They guided me to the kitchen where I tested the GFI receptacle to the right of the sink,
I went down to the basement to shut the power off and found an old Murray "split buss" service panel. Illegal to sell a home with replacing. The owners "Electrician" installed a 100 amp breaker enclosure, and used the existing rotted out service cable (He/She taped it with electrical tape lol) and fed the panel with it. The new owner asked me if it was ok, as it looked like to him that it was unsafe. I told him I wouldn't buy this house unless they knocked the price off $2,000 to replace the whole service. He informed me that they already bought it and the inspector was coming back for the corrections the next day, hence me being there for the GFI. I guess he passed the panel job prior.
what gets me so pig biting mad is that I replaced the GFI, then the selling agent, (Not my "Friend the listing agent) shows up and points out an outlet on the counter hidden by a coffee machine that was to be replaced. Still waiting for my friend to show up (She never did), the agent insist She go to Home Depot and buy another one. so i wait, and wait, and wait. finally She comes back, and i explain what I found with the original GFI. I show Her and the owners the burnt line side "Hot" terminal on the device. I replace the other receptacle, label the panel, and go home.
My charge from the onset? $75.00 plus materials for my "Friend". Her response at the time over the phone? Ok, just fix it. I;m in a bind here. Well now, it's now December 13th, and She is bitching about the price, telling my wife that that the seller (House Flipping Asshole) thinks I'm gouging him.
Really dude? you ought to be sued by the buyers, as the house is noting but old wiring, cosmetically done over, to appear like it's renovated. That is fraud. A lot more than my bill of $83.87, completed on 11/03/15. and to make matters worse, several of the local district judges are also Real Estate Agents! Imagine me going into their court to have a judgement in my favor? Not a chance! I want to be payed for the 2 + hours spent on the job. no wonder I am reluctant to deal with Real Estate Agencies!
So, to all of you who are buying or thinking of buying a home or commercial property in Delaware county. Have an independent inspector thoroughly inspect all aspects of it before buying. I have made it a habit of inspecting all places I am called to for any job, just for piece of mind and to let the owners know what to fix for their own. if you live in Clifton Heights Boro, and have any issues concerning complaints about possible code violations,contact cliftoncodes@cliftonheightsboro.com
Cheers.
I have worked for several of them over the past thirty years, from wiring new townhouses and single homes from the ground up, to providing safety inspections for a "U and O" "Use + Occupancy" certification. Many times I was told that the "Owner" thought that the price was too high, and what could be done to "Hide" or mask over problems, Being the good honest Electrician I am, I chided them for caving in to their client, and either correcting the problem, or telling them to find someone else.
The last dealing that I had involved a "Friend" (Insert Name Here), back in November. She called me after dinnertime and told me that She needed a GFI replaced in a house that was to be inspected in Clifton Heights Boro the following day. So I went to Home Depot as the supply houses were closed and purchased a White 15 amp, tamper Proof GFCI receptacle and cover plate. Upon entering the house I met a young couple, already living there. They guided me to the kitchen where I tested the GFI receptacle to the right of the sink,
I went down to the basement to shut the power off and found an old Murray "split buss" service panel. Illegal to sell a home with replacing. The owners "Electrician" installed a 100 amp breaker enclosure, and used the existing rotted out service cable (He/She taped it with electrical tape lol) and fed the panel with it. The new owner asked me if it was ok, as it looked like to him that it was unsafe. I told him I wouldn't buy this house unless they knocked the price off $2,000 to replace the whole service. He informed me that they already bought it and the inspector was coming back for the corrections the next day, hence me being there for the GFI. I guess he passed the panel job prior.
what gets me so pig biting mad is that I replaced the GFI, then the selling agent, (Not my "Friend the listing agent) shows up and points out an outlet on the counter hidden by a coffee machine that was to be replaced. Still waiting for my friend to show up (She never did), the agent insist She go to Home Depot and buy another one. so i wait, and wait, and wait. finally She comes back, and i explain what I found with the original GFI. I show Her and the owners the burnt line side "Hot" terminal on the device. I replace the other receptacle, label the panel, and go home.
My charge from the onset? $75.00 plus materials for my "Friend". Her response at the time over the phone? Ok, just fix it. I;m in a bind here. Well now, it's now December 13th, and She is bitching about the price, telling my wife that that the seller (House Flipping Asshole) thinks I'm gouging him.
Really dude? you ought to be sued by the buyers, as the house is noting but old wiring, cosmetically done over, to appear like it's renovated. That is fraud. A lot more than my bill of $83.87, completed on 11/03/15. and to make matters worse, several of the local district judges are also Real Estate Agents! Imagine me going into their court to have a judgement in my favor? Not a chance! I want to be payed for the 2 + hours spent on the job. no wonder I am reluctant to deal with Real Estate Agencies!
So, to all of you who are buying or thinking of buying a home or commercial property in Delaware county. Have an independent inspector thoroughly inspect all aspects of it before buying. I have made it a habit of inspecting all places I am called to for any job, just for piece of mind and to let the owners know what to fix for their own. if you live in Clifton Heights Boro, and have any issues concerning complaints about possible code violations,contact cliftoncodes@cliftonheightsboro.com
Cheers.
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