Homeowner Forum / Construction / July 2008

Need some seasoned veteran response.

My daughter's companion/boyfriend contracts homebuilding for a living.  A
day or 2 ago, she told me about his latest project.  He's doing fixer-upper
on a burned out home.  She says alot of the walls are still standing, and
sheetrock is intact on many of the walls.  That's all she knows for now, she
says.

This raised some flags for me.  I told her, either the fire was in the
attic, or, worked its way to the attic.  Most likely, the standing walls
still contain some water and alot of moisture.  Most likely, I said, the
house will be a major mold concern if the house keeps those remaining walls.

She inquired to me how the current owners are going to sell the house.  I
told her that in this neck of the woods, there are no municipal building
requirements, and most likely, such an inspector would not be aware of a
potential problem unless he/she ran into its prior history.  And, most
likely, the buyers won't be seeking help from a licensed home inspector.

Further, if it were me, I would find a way to back out of the contract if
fixing this house.

Comments?