Tag Archives: home inspection

What to do when you buy a home when the seller intentionally hid repair defects

Posted on September 19, 2016 | Leave a comment

Question: a large foundation crack resulting in moisture seepage on the floor and surrounding walls in one of the seven rooms in the basement. Since this room is unfinished, we wanted to install insulation and drywall, but first we had to remove the “new” carpet that the seller installed on the floor in this room. This is when we discovered the crack and large wet areas. After removing the carpet in this room, the stench of dampness was very strong and quickly spread throughout the house.

Because there was the “new” carpet, this condition was undetectable during the inspection process.

A: First, let me caution you about calling someone fraudulent; if it’s not true, you can be sued for libel.

There is in the law a concept known as “the discovery rule.” Your case starts — and the applicable statute of limitations begins to run — when you first discover a problem. While I cannot provide you with a legal opinion, it would seem you still might have a case based on your recent discovery. More importantly, the typical statute of limitations is two or three years; you just bought the house.

However, you need proof. Did your seller know about the crack? Did he instruct the carpet company to cover it? Have you discussed the matter with the carpet company to see if you can get the proof you need? And I suspect that company may be very reluctant to talk with you for fear they may also be sued.

Get yourself a different attorney to determine if you have a case.

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Five things sellers hide at an open house

Posted on February 2, 2016 | Leave a comment

1) Termite damage

When you’re in a property that has been freshly repainted, look very carefully, warns wHeregroup buyer’s agent Todd Hunter.

“Painting is the biggest giveaway, especially when one or two rooms in the property have been repainted recently,” Mr Hunter said.

“This can conceal a repaired termite-damaged wall or water-leakage problems from a ceiling,” he said.

Be sure to get a thorough building inspection, including a termite inspection with thermal imaging, to make sure you can see beyond the new coat of colour.

Want to know what the appraiser will be inspecting and how it will effect value? Contact the appraisers at http://www.scappraisals.com

2) Structural damage

A big red flag should be raised when you are denied access to to an area of the house, Ms Parker warns.

“We’ve noticed that, clutter aside, sellers who have something to hide will block [or] lock access to manholes, sub-floor spaces and under-house areas to avoid inspectors being able to accurately report on any issues here,” she said.

These issues can be wide-ranging, from pest damage and structural damage to drainage issues and poor DIY attempts.

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Can You Trust Your Home Inspector?

Posted on May 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

You are ready to make one of the most important decisions of your life. You found your dream home, worked with a real estate agent to prepare an offer and hired an inspector to look at the property. But you might not know your inspector that well, or if that person plans to ask all the right questions. Not knowing those things could cost you.

Why doesn’t the appraiser do a “home inspection?” Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your appraisal questions.

The inspector plays a critical role in the home-buying process. To the extent you can, it is imperative that you verify that person’s credentials are up-to-date and that all of the important details are covered during the inspection.

The National Association of Realtors has compiled a 10-point checklist to verify your inspector meets industry standards. Among their recommendations, the association encourages you to ask direct questions about how they maintain their credentials.

Most Realtors will provide their client with a list of at least three home inspectors to choose from, and most inspectors are willing to send you a sample report so you can see an example of their work. Some use specialized reporting software. Others use written checklists. We also recommend that buyers attend the inspection if possible as it is helpful to discuss an issue while looking at the area of concern together.

Ask if the inspector will look into a potential problem with the home you noticed during a recent visit, and be sure to inquire about their price structure and if there are any variables.

Verifying the condition of the home is imperative and helps determine whether the home is right for you. Do not assume all inspectors and inspections are equal. Find a qualified individual you trust and you will be able to buy with confidence.

Linda Lee, president of the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors, is the author of this guest post. Reprint from San Diego Union Tribune

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