Realtors: would you have flagged an obviously leaning retaining wall?
About a year ago, I bought my first home using a close friend as my realtor. It was a hot market, and I made an offer without an inspection. I understand that was ultimately my decision and that a realtor is not a home inspector.
My realtor knew this was my first home purchase and that I was new to all of this.
The property had a retaining wall that was very clearly and visibly leaning. It was not a hidden issue or something that only became apparent later. Because I was new to homeownership, though, it simply did not register with me as a potentially serious problem. My realtor never mentioned it.
After possession, I had professionals assess it and was told repair was not realistic. Replacing it ended up costing about $25,000.
I am not suggesting that my realtor should have diagnosed the problem. I am just wondering whether it would have been reasonable to expect him to at least flag the issue as something worth looking into.
Because he is also a close friend, I am struggling with how to separate the professional disappointment from the friendship and how to address it with him. I've been silently letting it eat away at me for the last year.
Is that something you would normally point out to a buyer, or would you consider it outside the scope of your role?
