T|R|I|A|L|S
When we have trials, God can really shine through.
This time last week I was looking at a property that caught my eye. By Saturday, I had placed an offer (which was accepted with only one small counter) and by Monday morning, I was celebrating the fact that I was under contract. I prayed fervently throughout this entire process, asking God to lead me in the direction he wanted me to go. To open doors where there seemed like there was no way.
Throughout this entire process, it seemed as though SO many of my prayers were being answered and doors were opening without so much of me listening to Christian music and saying HIS name. I was not confident that all would go according to plan, however I felt peace with my decision to make an offer and felt a calmness wash over me as the ball began to roll with this whole first time home buyer business.
Effective 6:00PM today, I have walked away from the contract. After a two and a half hour inspection this morning, the inspector noted that two electrical outlets in the master bedroom were a combination of aluminum and copper wiring. When the switch for the aluminum wiring was turned off, the outlets still worked. When the copper switch was turned off, the outlets still magically worked. He could not determine where the aluminum wires met the copper wires.
A phone call to an electrician and lots of digging later, the realtor, electrician AND inspector all advised against me purchasing this home. They all felt that the cons outweighed the pros in regard to the safety of the aluminum and copper wires mix in the house. All felt that if I had other options, I should explore those because who would want to buy a place knowing that it is a fire hazard? Additionally, we found fire damage near the HVAC unit where the wires were bundled. Not sure what the story was there, however it was evident that wiring was probably the cause of the fire.
Apparently homes built before the 90s used aluminum for conducting electricity because it was so inexpensive. Weak or deteriorating connectors and switches that connect electrical circuits together (featuring aluminum) usually contribute to electrical fires. Although copper and aluminum can work together, they require special connectors to join the different metals. When these metals meet, the oxidize and this develops an unwanted voltage drop across the connection. As a result, three possible problems can occur:
This time last week I was looking at a property that caught my eye. By Saturday, I had placed an offer (which was accepted with only one small counter) and by Monday morning, I was celebrating the fact that I was under contract. I prayed fervently throughout this entire process, asking God to lead me in the direction he wanted me to go. To open doors where there seemed like there was no way.
Throughout this entire process, it seemed as though SO many of my prayers were being answered and doors were opening without so much of me listening to Christian music and saying HIS name. I was not confident that all would go according to plan, however I felt peace with my decision to make an offer and felt a calmness wash over me as the ball began to roll with this whole first time home buyer business.
Effective 6:00PM today, I have walked away from the contract. After a two and a half hour inspection this morning, the inspector noted that two electrical outlets in the master bedroom were a combination of aluminum and copper wiring. When the switch for the aluminum wiring was turned off, the outlets still worked. When the copper switch was turned off, the outlets still magically worked. He could not determine where the aluminum wires met the copper wires.
A phone call to an electrician and lots of digging later, the realtor, electrician AND inspector all advised against me purchasing this home. They all felt that the cons outweighed the pros in regard to the safety of the aluminum and copper wires mix in the house. All felt that if I had other options, I should explore those because who would want to buy a place knowing that it is a fire hazard? Additionally, we found fire damage near the HVAC unit where the wires were bundled. Not sure what the story was there, however it was evident that wiring was probably the cause of the fire.
Apparently homes built before the 90s used aluminum for conducting electricity because it was so inexpensive. Weak or deteriorating connectors and switches that connect electrical circuits together (featuring aluminum) usually contribute to electrical fires. Although copper and aluminum can work together, they require special connectors to join the different metals. When these metals meet, the oxidize and this develops an unwanted voltage drop across the connection. As a result, three possible problems can occur:
- Equipment damage due to low voltage
- Wasted energy and/or poor efficiency
-or- - ELECTRICAL FIRES
The electrician stated that the outlets could have been fixed with some aluminum/copper wiring skinamarinkydinkydink solution ... however that would not guarantee that the problem was addressed. The true solution would be to investigate all of the wiring in the house and then REWIRE everything. Either procedure could cost thousands of dollars.
Obviously I would be unwilling to pay for this as the interested buyer. And if I would be unwilling, there is a high likelihood that the seller would be unwilling to shell out thousands of dollars too when they could potentially find a buyer who did not care about this safety hazard. Needless to say, this single chic is moving on.
Obviously I would be unwilling to pay for this as the interested buyer. And if I would be unwilling, there is a high likelihood that the seller would be unwilling to shell out thousands of dollars too when they could potentially find a buyer who did not care about this safety hazard. Needless to say, this single chic is moving on.
Just days ago I could taste settlement on my tongue. The amount of excitement I contained for my pending contract was unreal. Only to be crushed this evening. Sitting on the colorful carpet in my classroom crying out in disbelief, dismay and devastation. It has been a roller coaster of a week, and I feel so defeated.
But then I remember that through our trials, God works in us. This is no doubt a trial. I am not sure what work God is doing. But I know my faith is being tested. And I am deciding through this all to praise HIM and trust in HIM. So back to the drawing boards again. He has to be up to something good...
"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." - James 1:2-3
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