Real Estate laws...need to find info

[Vega]

Hey all, as I've mentioned before I'm looking to move. I fell in love with a house, but it needs a LOT of work, but it also has SOOOO much potential. However, I'm trying to look things up to find out if selling it in the current condition is even legal.

Issues: there is well water, it tested positive for bacteria because the house has been empty for almost 2 years now. The selling agent told me that would be something *I* could easily fix by shocking it. But selling a home with undrinkable water?
Heat: in the disclosure it says there's no heat register in bedroom (3 bedroom home). From what I was told previously, all a room needs to have in order to be considered a "bedroom" is a heat source from the house. The selling agent doesn't know if this is an issue with just 1 bedroom or all 3. (we're doing a walk through this weekend) Yet, another problem he said *I* could easily fix.

I've been trying to find real estate laws online but all it's pulling up are realtors and attorneys. Any idea of where I can go to get this info on my own. I just want a basic run-down of what has to be in order before they are allowed to sell the house so I don't get taken for a ride.

PS, I live in Pennsylvania

[danforth3]

Try this link http://members.aol.com/StatutesPA/68.html and this link http://members.aol.com/StatutesPA/Index.html. The first is the PA Statutes regarding real estate and personal property. The second is the main link to the PA statutes index.

I live in NJ and you can sell a home without potable water or heat provided it is disclosed. You may not be able to live in it until the home has been brought to code, but it can be sold to you and you would have the responsiblity of bringing it up to code. Some towns have time frames for this, so you also need to contact the local zoning officer regarding the home to check this out and whether or not there are any violations existing for the home. Also ask if there is a list of what repairs are needed for a certificate of occupancy (habitability) and what permits you will need.

As for the potability of the water, you would need to run the test directly from the well--not the spigot. A house which has been abandoned rarely tests correctly for potable water. You need to have a sample drawn from the well, or run the water for about an hour or 2 to clear out the pipes.

[Vega]

Thank you for the links! It looks as if it's all legal, as long as it's in the disclosure...Oh well, was worth a try! lol

[danforth3]

Vega before signing any contract, make sure to check with the building department to check on what you need to do to bring it to code and to check for existing violations. Also you need to make sure it is not on the derelict house list. If it is on that list, it is scheduled for demolition and if you purchase it you will be responsible for the cost. Also have it inspected by a structural engineer to make sure there are not major structural problems that would preclude renovation and require demolition and reconstruction.