Vince:

You and I had identical days. Even with the water off I found holes on water and waste pipes. Literally the entire plumbing system needed redoing. Stone foundation failed, plenty of electric, shot shingles, mold throughout the basement.

I always plant a bug in the client's ear - no matter what I find in a repo, there's going to be more when they start working on rehabbing. A client who's expectations are too high is a client who's probably going to be calling me after they move in. I always like to prepare them for the great unknowns that lurk.

Today's client knew the house needed lots and lots of work. By the time I got half way through the basement he knew it was too much and he walked. I have had clients who go ahead with the purchase. Of those that I see again, many will say that the required work was more than they expected or budgeted for. Fine by me, as long as that bug did his job.

__________________
Eric Barker
Moraine Woods Consulting, Inc.
Barrington, IL