Importance of a Home Inspection
Today, one of my first time homebuyers was doing a home inspection on a foreclosed home he was purchasing. The home seemed like a great deal and, as is the case with most of these homes, was priced well below market value. I had the electricity turned on so that we could test all we could in the property and see a little bit better. As a started to head for the garage, the inspector ran in.
“Make sure you don’t power the furnace! The copper lines have been removed.” Thinking nothing more than simple vandalism, I shrugged it off and started flipping breakers to get us some power. As a return from the garage, the inspector also returns from outside to reveal that not only did the thieves remove the smaller cooper tubing but they stole the compressor and condensor from the unit - just leaving a chassis.
Something new every day!
This, unfortunately, looks to be a deal killer. HVAC repairs are expensive and in the case of this two year old house, it had 10 SEER equipment originally installled. The other side to this tragedy is that now the whole system will have to upgraded to 13 SEER, adding to the expense, which my buyer can’t afford.
In my calls around to get quotes, I inquired if any HVAC companies would be willing to come out and remove these units from foreclosed homes. While a few shrugged at the idea, NASCAIR Heating and Cooling here in Charlotte said they would do the work at a reasonable price. My thought is that if the units were evacuated and placed in the garage or basement out of plain sight, a thief may think someone has stolen the entire unit and move on.
Copper theft is huge these days and vacant foreclosed homes seem to be a goldmine for preditors looking to hock these materials from drug money. Maybe this can be one step that may help stop some of this crime.
Sincerely;
Jonathan Osman
The Charlotte House Hunter
Charlotte NC Homes, Charlotte Real Estate