One simple question ended up equaling $3,000 going to my first-time homebuyer clients.
I’m not sure that it hasn’t happened before, but in my experience it is one of the harder issues to get a Seller to acquiesce on.
The issue was one that we see throughout the Salt Lake valley all of the time. No grounding of electrical in a home built in the 1960s, 1950s, 1940s, etc.
This really is a standard “problem” around Salt Lake, and legit my home doesn’t have a ground wire in the electrical. This is because when it was built to code in 1952, and in 1952 the code didn’t require a ground wire.
Fortunately, I know the solution and it costs about $3,000.💰 At least in this case the solution cost that much. By the way, if you’re curious as to how this is solved it all happens at the electrical panel. The breakers were changed out to GFCI breakers and helps with the no grounding issue.
The standard response from a Seller, or Seller’s agent, is that the house was built to code back then and that’s just how it is. 🤷♂️
Nobody with more experience than me has told me they were able to get a concession from a Seller for a grounding issue on a house that old. I always say it is worth a shot to state what you think is reasonable to ask for when purchasing a home. In this case, the buyers were concerned about this electrical issue.
I was able to help find the solution and get the Seller to pay for it!
Honestly, I surprised myself!! 🤯
I was proud that I was able to ask the right question to get the Sellers to consider making this credit happen so the electrical panel could be upgraded. I had to text my Broker and let him know I made it happen.
A few more days and this couple will be new homeowners walking into $35,000 of equity, and getting even more than they asked for!
