Sunday, November 22, 2009

Home inspections on Short Sale homes short circuited

So, after waiting months for the Seller's lender(s) to respond to your offer to purchase that Short Sale home, you finally have an approved contract and are ready to start the home inspections on the vacant home.   Right? 

Maybe not if the power company is Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative!  According to the Tampa Tribune, WREC has been refusing to temporarily turn on the power at vacant homes for inspections if there is an unpaid balance remaining from the "previous" owner.  You can't properly inspect the HVAC, major appliances, etc. without power, and the owner who is "short selling" the home with an unpaid electricity bill balance may not have the money to pay to get the power turned on. Buyers aren't too eager to pay unpaid balances on electricity bills just for a home inspection.  This impasse is frustrating many in the short sale process which is already riddled with delays.

The situation has now received the attention of State Sen. Mike Fasano who is attempting to work out a compromise.

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