Does anyone have legal advice about a house sale and inspection issues?
960742
It sounds to me like the buyers' lawyer is trying to shake you down.  Depending on the state you're in, the closing ends all debate unless an issue is agreed in writing, there is a violation of a statutory warranty, or misrepresentation can be proven.  Since there are other factors that may be in play here, I can't give you an air tight solution, but my first impression is that you are not liable ($6000 to fix flashing?), and you are not liable - with some exceptions - for other repairs, as a matter of law.  You should take the problem to the lawyer that handled your closing, for advice.  Like it or not, you may need legal representation, and your original lawyer is the logical one to contact.  Hope this helps.
754358
Wow, I'd hate to be the agent representing the sellers. Our opinions: Tell your lender the story and watch what happens. Don't ask the lender to do anything but tell them to act in their best interest.\nDid you get a seller's property condition disclosure prior to the inspection? Was the inspector provided with such a disclosure?\nIn any event you really do need to do some detailed research on what can and can not be done not just according to the feds but according to your state laws. Here are some links to get you started:\nLAWS: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/socialsciences/legal/st_stat.htm\nState’s Laws passed in 2004:   http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CL/ACT/20040.HTM \nState bar Association: http://www.pabar.org/  \nYou should go to our educational research page and research what the feds and other government agencies say about all that.\nhttp://www.realestateformnm.com/ResearchLink.html \nBuena Suerte
266160
Take your contract to a lawyer and look for an opt out.  Homeowner associations are notoriously corrupt.  For instance they can force a sale of property by claiming they never got your money and then their friend buys it up at a forclosure auction that isn't advertised.
1072767
I hate to be a devils advocate but if I were you I would take it to a Real Estate lawyer, and quick! Most of them will give you a free consultation and if they think you have a good case they will take it on for a piece of the winnings.  A lot of them won't charge you if you lose.
685872
Well, the law in specifics is different from state to state.  But my best advice (I'm only a former legal secretary, not a lawyer) is to remove the rubbish to the appropriate dump or whatever, and charge their escrow account for its removal.  If you dump it on their new place, you would be liable for their damages in cleaning it up.\n\nIf escrow has already closed, you can still sue them in small claims court for the costs of removal.\n\nRemember, you want the problem resolved, not escalated into a feud.
386339
Retrieve your copy of the rental agreement. Go through it, and there will be a section which should specify the division of liability for general house-keeping and repairs. I'm quite sure that pipes are considered part of the structure of the house, and are therefor the responsibility of the landlord, and not yours.\n\nYour best option is to issue a demand notice. State your claim for the money, and say that you will take the matter to the County (or equivalent) court if the money is not received in 14 days. She should know (especially if this is not her only property) the rules and regulations for construction issues. A simple threat is likely to yield results.
998439
There are several issues here.     Let's start with the appraisal.  Appraisers are regulated and appraisals are valid if performed in complaince by a licensed real estate appraiser.  If your buyers are getting financed on the purchase, an appraisal will, in all probability, be required.  If they are not financing it, no appraisal will be required so you may never know the home's real value.\n\nThe fact that your sister's home may be valued higher than yours would not be unusual if her home is bigger, in better condition, or just not comparable to yours.  Just because a house is next door doesn't mean the values will be the same.  There are a lot of things that factor into value. \n\nNext, if you signed an agreement to sell the home for $200,000,\nyou have entered into a contract to sell at that price.  it may, and I stress MAY, be too late to change that now.  The may comes in because the Realtor must disclose that the buyer is a licensed Realtor.  If he did not do so in writing on the sales agreement, you may have a case to void the contract.\n\nFinally, that Realtor has absolutely no business bringing in anyone to move you or tell you what can be moved.  He has no rights to enter your property at all without your permission until such time as the buyer's loan documents and your deed awarding them the title to the property have been signed and recorded.  Until that day, the home is yours and yours alone.\n\nAt best, what has occured here is an example of horrible communications.  At worst, you're being swindled and taken advantage of. \n\nYou say you cannot afford a lawyer.  I say you cannot afford not to consult one.  You can pay the lawyer's fee from the proceeds of the sale. \n\nAt least make an effort to protect yourself.  Call legal aid, call  your pastor, call an advocacy group for people with your disability.  Help is out there, please go get it.\n\nI'll pray for you.
549187
It took me 6 months of just going to the court house and watching the sale before I bought my house.  it is very risky, there is sooooo much information that needs to be looked at and fully understood before buying a house on the courthouse steps.  there is a lot of things on paper that affect the house than just what you see when you drive by, when you win the bidding you also win whatever encumberences that come along with that house.  bottom line do your homework first and know what your buying or it can become a huge headache.
120730
It could be if an inspection shows a severe problem with the foundation. I personally suggest, and most lenders require, a professional inspection prior to a property sale. The sale may involve the seller to repair the problem or the buyer to be responsible for it, depending on the terms of the sale. Severe settling will definitely reduce the value (and safety) of the property and should be taken care of right away.
550025
This is not a simple question - if you live in the USA, especially. There are laws that cover Security Deposits and Fair Housing Guidelines and to ensure that you have no problems in the future, you need to comply with the Fair Housing law(s) of your State\n\nBoth Landlor and Tenants have rights under this law.\n\nYour tenant, for example, has the right to request/expect (and should be done) that the landlord conduct a walk-through of the rental unit time (1 or 2 weeks, depends on your laws and contract) prior to the official termination of the tenancy contract.  It is thru the walk-thru that you tell the renter if you will withhold any of his/her deposit  if repairs or cleaning are not performed by tenant.  After removing all personal property, the tenant can again request a final walk-thru wiht the landor to ensure thatll obligations have been fulfilled.  Accdg to your contract and laws, you have a certain number of days after vacating the place the landlord (you) has to  mail the renter the deposit or an itemized statement of any deductions taken out y the landlord.  If more than a certain amount of witholding is kept (limits by State law) by the landlord, you are required to accompany the itemization with copies of the receipts and documents showing the charges deducted.  There are other 'time limitations' but again depends on the State.I believe, but I can't remember, that the tenant can waive receipt of these documents.  There is other little things that you need to ensure you do to ensure that this tenant doesn't come back and bite you in small claims court.\n\nThe Letter can be simple:\n\nLetter to (legal/full name of tenant as in contract) and address he provides you.\n\nSubject: describe here the rental property (full legal address, unit number and renter name)-Rental Dates to-from\n\nDear Mr XXXX\n\nOn date you notified me that you would vacate the xxxxxxxx property.  We inspected (if you did) the xxxxx on date and xxxxxx date.  \n\nNo damages where found or damages where found as follows\n\nand consequently repairs had to be made for a total cost of $$ receipts and description of work done are enclosed.\n\nFinal walk thru was made on xxxx. This letter confirms that All your personal property has been removed from the property.\n\nSincerely,\n\nyour name\naddress\n\n\n____________\nLetter received by (name of tenant and date)  \n\nnote: make sure that you have the tenant sign receipt of letter and date it.
544711
It's going to be based upon your state's contract law. You can look up your state's statutes online, then look under contract law. Also, read the fine print on your contract; it may stipulate arbitration.\n\nThe problem that you will have is proving that a defect didn't occur after the inspection. I've used several inspection services and most of them were worthless. The best inspection will be done by an engineer; you will pay more (I paid $400 for an engineer as opposed to $250 for the regular inspector) but you will get a real report with photos and a detailed analysis.
694953
I'm not an expert,but the buyers had the option to have an expert appraisal done on the home before the final sale, I'd say they are out of luck, don't go spending your hard earned money on a lawyer, ask your R.E. agent, he/she should be able to answer that question, or better still ask your Bank Mtg Mgr they see all kinds of stuff.
1044558
Contact the banks in your area and they should put you in touch with the person who oversees forclosures.  It may take some calling around to find someone who knows who to direct you to, but it can be done.  Smaller banks are easier to find it.  Also check the county website for a list of soon to be auctioned homes.  They are always posted in advance either in the paper or county website.
1073258
There is this concept called "caveat emptor" which means "buyer beware". It essentially means that courts are going to place buyers with the responsibility to ask questions about things that look out of place when buying a home. Since you saw their belonging on top of crates and didn't ask "why", this may be used against you but I doubt it. (Was there anything else that was obvious something was wrong iwth the house?--if so, you are gonna have a hard case).\nBut besides this concept, I am going to say "yes" you have a case for fraud. Please remember that there is a statute of limitations (meaning the end time when you can sue) for fraud, depending on your state statute which is typically 2 years from the date of the incident which I suppose in your case would be when you viewed the home. \nWhat would even strengthen your case is if you directly asked them, with a witness of course, "Are there any problems? Is there any damage?etc.---something along those lines" because then you can point to the previous owners as directly committing fraud on you. However, if the owners simply did not say anything about the sewer system and you didn't ask any questions like this that required and received an affirmative answer, you might be in for a harder fight.\nConclusion- Gather your facts more specifically and consult your state statute for the time limit on the staute of limitations.
573753
A home inspector is a private company and their qualifications vary widely from company to company. The home inspector should write a report of his findings.  If the floors were obviously bouncy, and he didn't examine the cause and report on this, then he didn't do a very good home inspection.  Your recourse to to go back to the owner of the home inspection company and complain.\n\nThe real estate agent represents the seller with a written listing agreement.  If she also represented you, then you should have had a written agreement with her.  She doesn't have to disclose bouncy floors if they are an obvious fault.  It's not like she or the owner tried to hide anything.\n\nTry to get a number of estimates on fixing the problem with the floor joists.  Some solutions cost less than others.
1171919
There are laws that u can go after them if they didn't disclose something major like previous flood damage and such.  Talk to the Realtor who hooked u up.
152614
Easments and other areas of property law vary by state.  You should consult a local real estate attorney.