“What, Somebody’s Going to Steal the Copper Again?”

[Editor’s Note:  before I lose all my Readers, I promise to switch to sunnier posts . . . next week.]

Normally, when I need to re-schedule a confirmed showing, I make a point of calling the listing agent’s office to let them know.

For one thing, it’s just professional to do that.

For another, I’ve always figured — just for liability reasons — it’s smart to make sure that the owner knows I never came in the house.

Finally, assuming you’re planning to re-schedule the showing, why start out by annoying the Seller?

No One’s Home

So, when my client needed to change their appointment to see a $20,000 (!) foreclosure, I was about to call the listing agent.

Then, I realized:  the house’s (copper) plumbing has been stolen (it says so right on MLS); the house is extensively damaged and being sold “As is”; and the Buyer is to assume responsibility for correcting — my guess — $30,000-plus in city-required electrical, plumbing, windows, siding, and roof repairs.

What more could happen to such a home??

And who’s going to know if it does?

 Certainly not the bank — at least not for a long time.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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