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Started By
Message
Buying a House W/20 Yr Old A/C...What is Recommended?
Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:01 pm
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.
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.
7
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.
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.
I thought asking for an allowance for repairs, etc was common.
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.
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
I'll let her know she should be buying a new house instead
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.
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.
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 11/12/12 at 3:39 pm
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.
Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:44 pm to nikki6
Home warranty is a must, but that will only help for a year.
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.
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.
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.
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 11/12/12 at 3:58 pm
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 11/12/12 at 4:14 pm
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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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