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nikki6 
New Orleans Saints Fan
Dallas
Member since Jul 2011
1582 posts
| Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:01 pm)
My sister is in the process of buying a home outside of Dallas, TX. She had inspection done on Sat. and the inspector said house is in very good condition with exception of 2 things. The A/C is 20 years old. It still works, but he said it could go out at any time. The water heater is also old, he didn't know how old and isn't vented properly. The water heater doesn't concern me too much b/c that's relatively cheap to replace($500 or so). But the A/C has got me worried. If it goes out, that can be a very expensive repair for her.
She is getting a home warranty paid for by seller, but she wonders if she should still try to negotiate some off of the price now that she knows the A/C is so old, as well as the water heater. There are some other minor issues as well.
What would you guys suggest? I told her to try and see if they'd give her an allowance of $2-3k for the repairs that are needed and for some costs toward A/C. This usually comes off the selling price in my experience.
She's worried about offending them and screwing up the deal. She really likes this house, and other than those issues, it's in great shape. I think all they can tell her is no. It's worth a shot imo.
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guttata 
LSU Fan
prairieville
Member since Feb 2006
18233 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:06 pm to nikki6)
I would have thought the owners knew how old their a/c was a figured that in their asking price.
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nikki6
New Orleans Saints Fan
Dallas
Member since Jul 2011
1582 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:14 pm to guttata)
You'd think so, but they were asking more than comps sold. My realtor said they were proud of their house 
I thought asking for an allowance for repairs, etc was common.
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Chad504boy
New Orleans Saints Fan
Five Oh Four
Member since Feb 2005
64687 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:15 pm to nikki6)
quote:
What would you guys suggest?
Don't buy a 20 year old house if you want new house amenities.
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nikki6
New Orleans Saints Fan
Dallas
Member since Jul 2011
1582 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:26 pm to Chad504boy)
It's actually much older than 20 yrs old.
I'll let her know she should be buying a new house instead
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tom
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2007
2224 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:31 pm to nikki6)
quote:
The water heater doesn't concern me too much b/c that's relatively cheap to replace($500 or so)
Venting a water heater can be pretty expensive.
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Jason9782003
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2007
3003 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:37 pm to nikki6)
If buying a new AC is going to break her then maybe she should reconsider whether she's in a good enough financial position to be buying a house.
All honestly the new AC will pay for itself given they are much more energy efficient. A 20-30 year old AC can run up a sizable electric bill during the summer.
This post was edited on 11/12 at 3:39 pm
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nikki6
New Orleans Saints Fan
Dallas
Member since Jul 2011
1582 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:42 pm to Jason9782003)
It won't break her, but would you want to pay another $5-7k right after paying a lot of money for a house? The house wasn't listed "as is" or anything either. I figure it can't hurt to ask. I know I gave my buyers an allowance for repairs I didn't want to have done that showed up in the inspection. They asked for $2500. I gave them $1500.
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notslim99
LSU Fan
City of Bossier City
Member since Feb 2005
3427 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:44 pm to nikki6)
Home warranty is a must, but that will only help for a year.
quote:
She's worried about offending them and screwing up the deal.
Tell her not to be so worried that she over pays. What if she has to move and can't sell it? Always buy a house with resale in mind, even if you have no intention of moving.
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Jason9782003
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2007
3003 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:56 pm to nikki6)
Was the age of the AC unit disclosed in the purchase agreement? If the inspector found something wrong with the AC that wasn't disclosed then that's a different story.
The main thing is the plumbing, structure, electrical work in good condition? I wouldn't worry too much over an old AC.
This post was edited on 11/12 at 3:58 pm
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Layabout 
UNO Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2011
4442 posts
 Online
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 4:13 pm to nikki6)
quote:
She is getting a home warranty paid for by seller
Good luck getting those thieves to pay for a new system. They'll either patch it together to get through the year or soak you for a new coil or compressor when the other part goes out, telling you that only the part that failed is covered but they both have to be changed to the new r410 refrigerant at the same time.
This post was edited on 11/12 at 4:14 pm
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slaphappy
LSU Fan
BR
Member since Nov 2005
949 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 4:17 pm to Layabout)
Also, the warranty company will tell you that there are no records that the A/C unit was regularly maintained and deny the claim. I had the same issue when I bought my house, but felt somewhat secure with the warranty. After the first year, I continued the warranty for three more years. The A/C went out, claim denied b/c I couldn't verify the maintenance record PREVIOUS to my ownership.
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Athanatos 
Vanderbilt Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2010
5594 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 5:58 pm to nikki6)
Ask them to back %80 of the a/c cost out of the price or to buy a new unit. Don't be afraid to offend them.
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RetiredG8tr 
Florida Fan
Pensacola Fl 32503
Member since Nov 2012
44 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/12/12 at 6:39 pm to Athanatos)
Wait until late Jan/Feb to replace the a/c. The prices will be down and HVAC companies will need the work. Research the replacement unit...as some companies make their brand..and an off-brand. The duct work probably needs to be replaced...spend the money. I'd replace both the a/c and furnace at the same time. It will save money in the long run....joe,,,JMHO
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CoolHand 
USA Fan
Member since Dec 2011
1454 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/13/12 at 7:41 am to Athanatos)
quote:
Ask them to back %80 of the a/c cost out of the price or to buy a new unit. Don't be afraid to offend them.
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nikki6
New Orleans Saints Fan
Dallas
Member since Jul 2011
1582 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/13/12 at 8:12 am to CoolHand)
She had an A/C guy over there yesterday evening. The A/C is old, but the heater doesn't work at all. The guy put a smoke bomb type thing in the system and turned it on. Smoke filled the house. She said he told her that would be carbon monoxide if the heater was working or something. That's kind of a big deal imo and I told her to tell them that needs to be fixed or give her allowance so she can get it fixed.
She isn't buying this house at some rock bottom, bargain basement price. They are actually getting a very good price per sq ft compared to comps, so I don't think death by carbon monoxide was taken into account when they listed.
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notslim99
LSU Fan
City of Bossier City
Member since Feb 2005
3427 posts
| re: Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended? (Posted on 11/13/12 at 8:45 am to nikki6)
quote:
She had an A/C guy over there yesterday evening. The A/C is old, but the heater doesn't work at all. The guy put a smoke bomb type thing in the system and turned it on. Smoke filled the house. She said he told her that would be carbon monoxide if the heater was working or something. That's kind of a big deal imo and I told her to tell them that needs to be fixed or give her allowance so she can get it fixed.
She isn't buying this house at some rock bottom, bargain basement price. They are actually getting a very good price per sq ft compared to comps, so I don't think death by carbon monoxide was taken into account when they listed.
Since your friend is armed with a HVAC inspection, she should go to the seller and offer a reasonable price with the condition that a new central a/c and heating unit be installed. If not, no deal.
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