5,104,931
In North and South Carolina this will always be written up by an inspector because code requires these windows open for egress in the event of a fire.
We don't consider this a material fact for a disclosure statement, but most buyers will ask a seller to unstick the windows prior to closing. After that I remind my clients it's now "their look-out." It's definitely hard to keep them unstuck, but I remind clients with windows like this to regularly open/close them once they have been unstuck.
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
-
Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
-
Eve Alexander
Tampa, FL
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
1,153,794
The first couple of homes I purchased had this issue Judith. An appraiser would not likely search for them unless it was a government insured loan but a home inspector would. A putty knife strategically tapped between the sash and frame should eradicate the problem. I would hate to find out the windows were painted shut while there's a fire going on in the house. any house!
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Azle, TX
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
1,725,996
As the previous comments have stated, windows must be operational.
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
2,781,173
Interesting as this could be a problem. Lets face it though, smashing it and everything else to get out is all I know if there was a fire
-
Richie Alan Naggar
Riverside, CA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
290,969
Since you already know the windows are painted shut, and not stuck, you would have to disclose this, and yes, it's a fire hazard. It would be good to be able to 'open' a window in a fire, as opposed to 'breaking' it. If the Seller knows, and I'm thinking they do, they can either fix the problem or replace the windows themselves, or wait for the Home Inspector to write this up and then they will have to still resolve the issue - kind of a 'now' or 'later' situation Judith Sinnard?
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
5,772,575
Judith,
I agree with Nina Hollander . A
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
108,016
Sure. Windows are a source of egress from a home in the event of a fire...Particularly if the window is in a bedroom...
A crowbar is known to cure the issue...
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
3,988,007
I have sold old homes and one of the life safety issues is that the windows have to open for fire escape. The appraisal may call for this to be repaired.
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
6,393,609
No hazard as long as they are breakable, but those homes with bars on the windows likely are a hazard.
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
216,904
The first home I purchased an odd thing came up in the inspection. ALL of the windows were permanently locked. The Seller, an engineer, sealed all the windows with locked/bolted/screwed in bracing, so there was no way to open any window! I hadn't even noticed prior to the inspection. They would not make any repairs, nor change it, until closing day. Wife felt "safer" with house bolted down and husband thought it saved on utilities.
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
564,720
846,475
They would not be a "fire hazard" themselves but they may become a hazard to the person trying to escape a fire through them.
-
Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
3,345,091
I hope you know the answers to these questions. If the windows are painted shut ... and there is a fire in the home ... and one cannot get out ... is that a hazard. Yes, I would say that it is. And, yes, material defects need to be disclosed.
-
Judith Sinnard
Houston, TX
1,513,143
If it is a rehab house sell it as is; if not disclose and have the seller aware of the problem that if the buyers are using FHA, VA or USDA it will be a problem.
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
911,338
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20053941,00.html If house is on fire, and window is only way out, I'd bust windows or jump through them. But, they should be in working order. Sometimes a mat / utility knife will cut through the seems and you can get them to open. I bet you can find some more ideas on " This Old House"
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
5,049,450
1,215
Hi Judith, it seems like you have gotten lots of answers already but just to make it simple the Sellers Disclosure has a space in Section 2. that asked if the windows are operational and that is where the seller would put Y or N. If you as the agent have knowlege that they do not work based on them being painted shut and the seller puts N, meaning that they work then it is your job as a licensed agent to either at that time explain to the seller they must correct the disclosure or you cannot be their agent to protect yourself from hiding something that you now know as an agent.
It is then up to you to give them advice to either fix the stuck windows to get max pricing for the house as once disclosed it ould have an adverse affect on the price a buyer is willing to pay. Then they will either get it fixed or properly disclose. If they dont fix it and disclose, I would recommend having the seller have a budget set to give a credit to any buyer to satisfy the cost of having that done so the new buyers could see that the option to correct it would be at closing in the funds credited and if the new buyer does not utilize the funds for that after they close on the house then it is then their fault for not doing so, and no guilt should be felt at that point becuase you did you job to it fullest.
Hope this helped and it is a great questions.
5,868,554
I would definitely ask the homeowner to have these fixed, as my inspector would call them out as a hazard.
152,661
My home inspector discloses this on a home inspection report. As a Buyer I would definitely want to address the problem after moving in for the very reason you mention. I have never had a Buyer ask the Seller to "unstick".
2,759,812
They are a safety hazard as windows are a primary means of egress in the event of an emergency.
2,538,633
Good morning Judith. Dangerous situation, windows must work, if the don't that would be a contingency.
3,164,294
2,684,109
Make them operational. The only exception I can think of is to offer the home as a fixer-upper, so that the Buyer can get a rehab loan. Or, hope for an as-is cash offer.
823,579
Windows must be operational and painted shut shouldn't pass inspection.
4,936,705
1,844,301
Yep, need those to work in case of fire for emergency exits. Seller needs to repair those. If you see it, tell the seller they are in for a nice write up on the inspection.
1,502,998
3,986,258
1,712,676
321,564
I believe it's an issue. Maybe getting them open is the best option. I would list on sellers disclosure.
1,466,207
Judith Sinnard Disclosure is required for an adverse material fact. Something that negatively affects the value of the property. I don't think painted windows will adversely affect the value of the property. Is this a fire hazard? Yes, if you cannot get out in the event of a fire. This is an easy fix. It will require some labor cutting through the paint with a utility knife.
4,800,082
Definitely an inspection issue. Not sure if it would be considered a fire hazard or not.
3,383,334