Amanda Lopez

i agree with Brucce. You can ask the current owner what there usage is with their oil heat. They probably have a budget billing which spreads out the cost of each tank throughout the year. I have seen bills from people recently that are the same as gas. And again, these prices fluctuate. In the eighties, gas was much cheaper so people often converted. The most important thing to look for in either oil or natural gas is the efficiency of the system. There is generally a tag on the unit itself that will tell you if it used most or least energy. An efficient oil furnace can be quite good.

You can also get a convverter that utilizes bio diesel, which can be more expensive but is better for the enivornment.

Well and septic? You need to make sure your water is potable and that the pressure system you have is going to be pumping enough water for your needs. You also just want to be more careful with chemicals that you put on your system and try to be as natural as possible which will prolong the life of these.

It is also your lifestyle that will determine your usage with your bills like getting a programable thermostat, etc. - Earlier today

You may find that things will pick up again in the next few weeks. August is slow as people are vacationing and getting back to school, etc.
September should be busier through November with people wanting to sell before the December holidays and before it gets too cold.
I've found this cycle to be fairly consistent and things busy in January and then slow again in February then back to spring market. - Wed Aug 13 2008, 10:07

Racquel,
Sorry to hear of the things you have found out. Agents though, are not electricians and if your home inspector did not find these issues, then it is highly doubtful that your agent would have. It doesn't sound like they were being negligent, although that is a legal issue and should be discussed with the appropriate parties.
Technically also, the door would be an item of maintenance and not something structural, or mechanical. Although, since it was part of the addendum, it should have been taken care of. Did you do a final walk through prior to settlement? This may have uncovered what had not been fixed before.
You may want to contact your agent to discuss these things and the home inspector that inspected the home.
If you used a standard MAR contract, it states in there that agents are not deemed responsible for pointing those types of items out to you since that is not their area of expertise.
Good luck!

Cheers,
Amanda - Wed Aug 13 2008, 09:14

I would bring a chimney inspector, a home inspector may not be qualified to give you the approval. Also, in your addendum, did you ask that it be repaired by a licensed or qualified chimney person? If you have a license involved, this will also hold more weight and you may be able to get a warranty for workmanship.
But you should be able to bring an inspector back by without any problem. But as long as they fixed the problem you specifically asked for just remember you can't ask for any other repairs that may be found. - Mon Aug 11 2008, 19:31

Jeff,
Depending on how the contract is written will determine who pays what. Your 3% based on what you have described will go towards split taxes, prepaids, etc. Basically anything on your settlement sheet up to 10k. If the contract says 3% PLUS seller to pay all recording taxes etc, then that would be over and above and could be more than your underwriter will allow. But whatever you end up paying for, you just get the first 10k towards your closing and you would be responsible for the remainder of your settlement costs.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Amanda - Mon Aug 11 2008, 11:43