Stand still

So - the contract was accepted - like it wouldn't have been since it was full price based on inspections.

So we had the inspections.  The owner disclosed that there was "cosmetic" grouting to be done on the chimney,  Uh,  no.  Probably cracked ceramic flue cracks.  The pool needed replastering.  Yes, BUT.  The first company would not give a quote on replastering because they thought the pool was popping out of the ground.  The second (and mechanical inspector) both said - yes replastering and not popping out BUT the deck surrounding the pool has dropped (therefore cracking badly) a couple of inches which has ruined the coping around the edge of the pool.  So a $5000 job is $18,000.

The mechanical inspector found the gas wall oven is leaking gas.  The main electrical box is defective and must be replaced (a neighboring area had their house burn down because of the same box - and ours here was done 15 years ago).  The dishwasher door will come open. When running.

When you total just the major problems, it comes to (actually more than) $20,000. So we amended the contract - offering 15,000 less on the price and they pay $5000 of the closing costs.

I know the woman has stage 4 ovarian cancer.  She is getting chemo and being a breast cancer survivor, my heart breaks for her.  They have asked to have until Monday to go over the amended contract.  I hope this is the real reason.

Their agent is (get ready for this one) the wife of the female owner's ex-husband, and has stated at the get go that she is protecting the seller.  I know this is what the realtor is supposed to do.  I was in real estate in the 1980s - when the first oil bust happened to Houston.  I had to quit.  No one was buying anything.  BUT she is not familiar with this area.  She had them price that property high, but we did sign for that.  They are selling "as is" and that is fine, but we will not pay the inflated price for a property with THIS many serious faults.

If it was meant to be - it will happen.  I know they now believe they are sitting on a gold mine and looked to make $100,000 on that house.  My inspector says different. 

So we will see what happens on Monday.