Dateline Dayton — Last Friday we closed on the condo we are purchasing to rent to our son. The purchase has been an ordeal from the start, due to the lack of interest and poor service from the seller’s realtor.

We first made a great offer, with owner financing, as was suggested in the listing. Either the realtor didn't understand the offer, or she wasn't able to explain it to the seller. It was not accepted. Our counter offer was for less money, with conventional financing. This offer was accepted.

When we viewed the property, the water was not on. Since it was vacant, we didn't think much of it. At our inspection, we asked for the water to be turned on. It wasn't. We turned the water on, made the necessary checks of the drains and water pressure, and turned the water off, as it was found.


We did discover a leak, and we couldn't get the dishwasher to work. We asked that these items be corrected along with replacing the electrical panel. The seller agreed, giving us the funds to take care of the electrical panel and having his plumber – the realtor’s brother — check the dishwasher and correct the leak.

Close the Door

The plumber said the dishwasher problem was that the door did not shut tight. Once that done, it worked. He took care of the leak and checked out the water heater and the supply line valve, which he found leaking. Upon correcting the supply line value problem, he left the water on for the unit.

On Friday morning, with our closing scheduled to take place at 4:30, I got a call from the manager at Carriage Trace asking if we had closed on the unit. She told me water was dripping from the ceiling in the unit below ours. I could envision the place being soaked from the ice-maker line that might have been left on by the plumber. The line isn't attached to anything.

As it turned out, it was the supply line valve which they tightened but did not replace. Maintenance determined the problem, turned off the water and it took care of most of the problem. Now we had to determine what to do.

The plumber was due on Saturday to correct the situation. But we were closing today. We really wanted to get that done to accomplish our schedule for this week. We did close, but the seller’s funds were placed in escrow. Since neither the seller nor his realtor were present, our realtor had to deal with the owner via phone. He was aware of the problem because the owner of the unit below ours had notified him.

Saturday the plumber came. Confirming a leak, he said “I will need to turn the water off to all units in this complex. But we will not be able to do this until Monday, after consulting with the manager.”

What More Notice?

On Monday, it was determined that all the eight condos involved in the shutoff, needed more than a short notice. The work was delayed until Wednesday. On Monday, I had my plumber there doing other repairs.

Tuesday was the day for the electrician to replace the electrical panel. Although he did experience problems, the panel was replaced. In addition, he installed lighting fixtures, ground fault receptacles and replaced a switch.

Wednesday the plumber was back. I finally convinced him the problem was more involved than replacing a valve. It ended up that a section of drywall had to be removed and copper tubing replaced. It appears we are dry – for now.

Today, the electrician returns to install a tract light for the fireplace.

Friday we load the truck, as much as we can, for the move on Saturday.

Saturday is moving day. They are predicting snow! It is November in Ohio.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net