Undisclosed underground oil tank!

Undisclosed underground oil tank!

Investor · Stamford, CT · Member since 2012 · 247 posts · 63 votes

…and so the fun begins. :-/

I just had a formal inspection done today on what's supposed to be my first rehab, a Fannie Mae REO.Lo & behold, the inspector found evidence of a buried oil tank underneath the deck (the only indication was the short pipe sticking out of the ground).Mind you, there was no mention of one in the listing (which stated gas heat and "n/a" next to "oil tank"), nor anything on the disclosure—so I thought everything was cool.

I went back and told the LA that I wouldn’t be closing unless the bank took care of testing, removal & any remediation.(As the owners, aren’t they responsible for this, especially if they didn’t disclose?They claim they were unaware, but don’t they have people checking these things out?)

Any thoughts, guys?I could try renegotiating w/ the bank & getting the price further down to offset any of my UOT expenses (seems the average is $650-700 for soil testing only, $1200-$1500 to remove & test; of course they also have to rip up the deck to get to it, lol)…but then again, as this is my first rehab, I also don’t want to get in over my head & I’m really thinking of just saying, “Next!” (Luckily I always put “oil tank” as one of the inspection contingencies on my offer!)

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Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
12y

When buying REOs DO NOT rely on the seller disclosure.  You usually don't even get one, of get one that says "unknown" for everything.

For that matter, never trust any seller disclosure.  Always do you own due diligence on the property.

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  • Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 744 votes
    12y

    When you get ready to sell let the buyers know that the ground could still be contamination from the oil tanks. How do you know the ex-neighbor that is a Real Estate Agent has a leaking tank did you have it tested?


    Joe Gore

  • None · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2014 · 126 posts · 50 votes
    12y

    I know that some states take care of underground oil tanks for free or a small fee.  However, the deck will cost you for removal etc...  You have to decide if the property is worth doing the work to remove the tank, if this is a flip.  Now you have disclosed the property to the world, you may not get away with renting the property with the tank.  You could not get away with it anyway if you allow section 8's.   Now before I buy any property, I get a home inspection to make sure I don't run into these things, however, like I said, "Check with your State Environmental Agency" and see if they will provide for the removal of the tank.  You just may get surprised.  If the numbers don't work, they just don't work.

  • Real Estate Investor · Kingsville, MD · Member since 2012 · 21 posts · 1 vote
    12y

    Hey Joe,

     I do not know for sure that her tank is leaking. However 50 years ago steel was the material of choice for tanks. There is another house 1 street over that had the same issue. The only way to know for sure is to dig it up.

    Tom Elam

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