As
a potential buyer of someone else’s home you have an obligation to protect
yourself by doing certain things before making an offer to purchase. Iowa law goes only so far in protecting you as the buyer. The law cannot protect you from
yourself. If you are lazy, don’t want to think or don’t care to investigate the
real estate you buy then blame no one except yourself if you buy a lemon. As a
buyer you do have certain duties that laziness will not excuse.
Get used to the
idea it may cost a little money now to protect you from having to spend a great
deal more following the closing. It is better to spend a few hundred to
investigate before closing, than to have to spend several thousand after the
closing because the furnace didn’t work as you had anticipated. A leaky roof, a
bad AC unit, clogged sinks or a poorly insulated attic can cost a new buyer
considerably.
As
the buyer what are your initial duties?
Buyers’
Duty
- Get a copy of the disclosure.
- Read the disclosure.
- Ask questions of your agent.
- If the agent won’t provide answers speak directly to the sellers.
- If neither answers your questions, walk away from the deal.
- Ask in writing for clarification.
- If the disclosures are anything other than a “yes” or a “no”, then ask for a new disclosure form properly filled out.
- If that is not provided, walk from the deal.
- If you don’t like the answers you are getting or the answers are so vague they provide no useful information ask more questions.
- If the answers still don’t answer your questions, walk from the deal.
HOW
TO CONTACT US
5000 Westown Parkway, Suite 440
West
Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Telephone:
515-222-1110
Fax:
515-222-0718
Write
to Steve or Katrina
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