Thank you for your information. It does seem that the problem is there is no route of secondary escape. Since posting this I have been reviewing egress window installments and they seem to be reasonable. So it might not be too big of a issue. Just frustrating that we are so close to closing and this has to come up.

I am neither an attorney nor have I ever played one on "Law and Order". You should consult an attorney if you really want this house and you are too far into the transaction to stop. Which I think you may be. That being said, your agent stated that it will be up to the sellers to get this addressed. I am assuming that there is no "route of secondary escape" from the basement, correct?

The inspector would not know about the problem unless they knew all of the township codes in the area. Which would be impossible. Perhaps this is a new rule for basements to have a way out seeing that many did not. I wouldn't fret too much.

There are ways of continuing in the sale, though. Especially if you really want the home. Money, from the seller, would go into escrow until the issue is fully addressed. Either by the township bowing down or the seller fixing the issue. This is if all parties agree to this.

Hope that helps,

Terrence Charest, e-Pro

Hi, Deb,

Your best source of information is to go to Norristown Borough and speak to the Code Enforcement Officer. there are certain things that were grandfathered....and others that were not. Some boroughs/townships come out and inspect the houses...others just drive-by or do nothing. It is a case by case situation.

It is my understanding that the window needs to be large enough for someone to escape from the basement in a crisis. Is there such a window? I can't imagine that there is no window. Maybe an existing window can be made larger. Start with Norristown, and then get you ducks in a row.


Carol Murray Cei
ReMax Millennium
carolcei@remax.net
215-643-9661
215-357-1100 x1720