My dad has several rental houses. One of his renters called and wanted to know if he had anything bigger they could rent since they are having twins. He is a good renter and since dad can't get a decent interest on his cash he decided to look for a bigger house to buy. He found one that's a really good price $210K and large enough. The last time it sold it was for $250K. The owner died and his parents are selling it from out of state. They are even including all the furniture, a big screen tv and all appliances. The renters like the house so dad went ahead and bought it. He will get $1200/month rent. After he bought it the renter found out the owner had hung himself in the garage. He wasn't upset about that, but wasn't planning to tell his wife or kids. Mom says he needs to because the neighbors are bound to tell her.
Anyways my question is shouldn't the realtor have mentioned that someone died in the house before selling it? Some people might have serious reservations about that kind of thing. I think ethically she should have said something. Dad found out she knew it before selling the house.
I finished reading the library book Cast in Silence by Michelle Sagara. Paranormal - excellent series.
ethical question
April 21st, 2010 at 09:22 pm
April 21st, 2010 at 09:33 pm 1271885627
I would think that the realtor should disclose information which might factor into someone's decision making. I believe that things like sex offenders in the area should be disclosed as well.
April 21st, 2010 at 09:35 pm 1271885731
April 21st, 2010 at 10:23 pm 1271888588
April 21st, 2010 at 10:41 pm 1271889704
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:06 am 1271894772
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:30 am 1271896218
That said... I think the family should be told about what happened before they go through with it. While that would not bother me, it may bother them. And this could become a real tenant problem if they should find out after the fact.
And yes, they're bound to find out eventually.
Let them know what happened, assure them the best you can, but let them decide if this is something that will bother them or not.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:53 am 1271897631
April 22nd, 2010 at 02:06 am 1271901963
April 22nd, 2010 at 04:02 am 1271908963
If the death is more than three years old, it must be disclosed if the buy asks.
April 22nd, 2010 at 04:23 am 1271910180
According to Colorado law (a qick perusal and question to attorney in Colorado-friend) the only disclosures required are:
•Plumbing and sewage problems
•Water leakage of any type, including in basements
•Termites or other insect infestations
•Roof defects
•Heating or air conditioning system and electrical or other mechanical system problems
•Property drainage problems
•Foundation instabilities or cracks
•Problems with title to the property
•Environmental conditions such as hazardous materials located on the property
•Whether a methamphetamine lab was located on the property, and that the remediation cleanup has not occurred
•Whether property is part of a homeowners' association
•Designate the water source for the property
•Lead paint (required under the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 for homes built prior to 1978)
But it is a good ethical question. Now, will you dad disclose to both of the renters? That is the legal question for your dad to know. The only required notification was the lead paint in buildings built pre 1978. But there could be others?
April 22nd, 2010 at 04:43 am 1271911408
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:09 pm 1271938197
April 22nd, 2010 at 05:34 pm 1271957668
If a buyer is that superstitious they should have to specifically tell their agent that they need to be notified of any deaths in the places they're looking at. If the agent concealed info at that point, sure, way unethical. But why would they assume the potential buyers are superstitious? It's like assuming someone is one religion or another.
April 23rd, 2010 at 09:00 pm 1272056413
April 23rd, 2010 at 09:02 pm 1272056548
April 25th, 2010 at 09:14 pm 1272230079
April 25th, 2010 at 09:17 pm 1272230255