patrick.net

It was likely red-tagged after the fire. Just make sure permits were filed for the restoration of the property. Check for electrical.

I thought "prior fire" was code for "meth lab".

I'd have the sale subject to an inspection and (fer sure!) get an experienced inspector.

How bad was the fire? When you sell this house in the future will the fire need to be disclosed again. why, or why not?

Contact the local jurisdiction's fire department and obtain the fire report that was filed by the fire officer. Usually a small fee to get the report. This will give you the causation reason(s) for said fire. then make sure that the problem is rectified! Fully check and confirm that all smoke, fire, water, and overhaul damage has been repaired. Most fires caused by smoking, electrical, and/or those combined with negligence.

thanks for the advice folks. The fire is not recent, it was about 12 yrs ago. Listing agent tells me the entire interior was re-done with permits. I will pull the permits, but nothing pops up on the city on-line system which worries me.

When I ask the listing agent about a fire report, she tells me there is nothing but a termite report. That also freaks me out and frustrates me...I mean come on, if you stand to make 20g's or more on this sale, could you at least not give me terse one line responses?

> I'm looking at a house and the redfin agent tells me there was a previous fire in it...

My answer is so what? So long as the house was repaired correctly, what difference would a fire make? A house isn't like a car where when you get into an accident it's ever quite the same, no matter how much body work is done to it. Water damage is what I be most concerned with. (water used to put out the fire) Without proper drying out, mold can grow. Second would be smoke damage is the worse thing I can think of and with proper cleaning, new rugs and a coat of paint there shouldn't be any lingering smells or health hazards. House fires don't scare me, Meth houses do!

Just more proof of how nutty the housing situation is in the Bay Area: When previously burned houses are the only means to land a bargain.

TechGromit says

Water damage is what I be most concerned with. (water used to put out the fire) Without proper drying out, mold can grow.

This is one of the biggest problems with fire damage. Water damage like this also makes the house harder to insure sometimes because of the risk of mold if things aren't properly done.

i kinda feel the same way, i have no idea how bad the fire was and everything appears okay and fixed. BUT, when i'm plunking down $600k+ and might have issues later on, i'd like to know how bad it was and just what issues it may have.

I don't have any experience with this, just looking for collective wisdom.

TechGromit says

My answer is so what? So long as the house was repaired correctly, what difference would a fire make?

ih8alameda2 says

BUT, when i'm plunking down $600k+

600,000? What sort of house is this?

A typical non descript sfh in alameda. Things actually look slightly better for me after putting the 20% down compared to my current rent. It's nuts.