Need advice!! I got fuked on a real estate deal!!

[Dobie-BOY]

I will try to make this as short as possible. I bought a house 2.5 yrs ago in Missouri. The people who sold me the house bought it as a foreclosure, covered up about $20k worth of problems and sold it to me. Of course they did not disclose any of it. I have a witness that they knew about one of the many problems because the seller told them that "there was a water problem in the breezeay, but that it had been fixed." I have had the house foreclosed on because I ran out of money to fix it and I can't live in it because of the mold. I cant sell it for the same reason. I can't get any lawyer to take the case unless I put down between 10-20k dollars. I HAVE found one attorney that would take the case on a contigecy basis if I can prove to him that they have assets. Does anyone have any advice of any kind on this? How in the hell can I prove to the attorney that they have money or equity that we can get out of them. I know their address and they live in a REAL nice and REAL big house.

Any advice or information would help a ton.

[J-Dogg]

Did you buy the home directly from them? or through a real estate agent/broker?

Was a disclosure statement filled out?

[Kratos]

do you have anything in writing on what repairs were performed? You're going to end up getting fvcked here. let the house go and repair your credit. Get a home inspeciton next time.

[Dobie-BOY]

Did you buy the home directly from them? or through a real estate agent/broker?

Was a disclosure statement filled out?

they had an agent and so did I. I am thinking about suing the agent and the agents broker because I am almost certain that the agent they used to sell me the house is the same agent they used to buy the house. So, the agent would have had prior knowledge of the water problems also and the dsclosue statement clearly states that both agents and their brokers are responsible for making sure that it filled out and completed to the st of their knowledge. I would have a much easier time getting an attorney to represent me if I sue their agent because the agents and brokers have insurance and we could definately collect from them.

[CBGB]

Where about Missouri is it. If it's not to far I could go and burn their house down. Then they'll have insurance money.

[spywizard]

you have to sue, then do a discovery, they must list assets.

[J-Dogg]

they had an agent and so did I. I am thinking about suing the agent and the agents broker because I am almost certain that the agent they used to sell me the house is the same agent they used to buy the house. So, the agent would have had prior knowledge of the water problems also and the dsclosue statement clearly states that both agents and their brokers are responsible for making sure that it filled out and completed to the st of their knowledge. I would have a much easier time getting an attorney to represent me if I sue their agent because the agents and brokers have insurance and we could definately collect from them.

I buy and sell properties, but in Michigan. But I've never had issues, so I'm not sure how much help I would be.

But the first thing you should do is contact YOUR agent.

Unless you are very familiar with homes, always get an inspection, and it's normally a good idea to pay 2 different inspectors.

Don't use an inspector suggested by the real estate agent either. That agent wants this deal to go through, so they can collect that commision.

Once it is inspected, and problems are found, those MUST be listed on a disclosure statment. Short of that, they can play dumb.

[Dobie-BOY]

do you have anything in writing on what repairs were performed? You're going to end up getting fvcked here. let the house go and repair your credit. Get a home inspeciton next time.

I had a home inspection done. The inspector is not liable because they were problems that he could not have found. They covered it all up so that it was undetectable, until it rained. Ya, I got all the documents an receipts of all the work that was done. I dont think there is any way I can repai my credit for quite awhile. the foreclosue will stay on my recrd for something like 7 years.

[Dobie-BOY]

Where about Missouri is it. If it's not to far I could go and burn their house down. Then they'll have insurance money.

HAHA!!! The house was in the K.C. area.

[Dobie-BOY]

you have to sue, then do a discovery, they must list assets.

Ya, the problem is that the attorney wont take the case unless he knows before hand that they have money to get.

[Dobie-BOY]

I buy and sell properties, but in Michigan. But I've never had issues, so I'm not sure how much help I would be.

But the first thing you should do is contact YOUR agent.

Unless you are very familiar with homes, always get an inspection, and it's normally a good idea to pay 2 different inspectors.

Don't use an inspector suggested by the real estate agent either. That agent wants this deal to go through, so they can collect that commision.

Once it is inspected, and problems are found, those MUST be listed on a disclosure statment. Short of that, they can play dumb.

My agent is a f'n douche bag. He don't gve a shiit. The inspector I used was refered to my by my agent. Man, I tell ya what. I could really use someone withsome real estate experience here. I realize you are in michigan and that alot of state laws vary, but would you mind if I PM'd you about this?

[Nooomoto]

Get an Austrian brother...everyone should have an Austrian brother.

[Kratos]

I had a home inspection done. The inspector is not liable because they were problems that he could not have found. They covered it all up so that it was undetectable, until it rained. Ya, I got all the documents an receipts of all the work that was done. I dont think there is any way I can repai my credit for quite awhile. the foreclosue will stay on my recrd for something like 7 years.

You've got documents that say what exactly. Did a contractor do the work?

[spywizard]

Ya, the problem is that the attorney wont take the case unless he knows before hand that they have money to get.

no one works for free...

and no reason to sue someone if you can't collect from them.. so you have to front the $$$ to do the discovery..then he can do it on a contingency..

[higherdesire]

Not trying to be offensive, but was this deal too good to be true upfront?

[J-Dogg]

My agent is a f'n douche bag. He don't gve a shiit. The inspector I used was refered to my by my agent. Man, I tell ya what. I could really use someone withsome real estate experience here. I realize you are in michigan and that alot of state laws vary, but would you mind if I PM'd you about this?

Sure, I'll do what I can.

[Bojangles69]

do you have anything in writing on what repairs were performed? You're going to end up getting fvcked here. let the house go and repair your credit. Get a home inspeciton next time.

Yes and I should note by a GOOD inspector.

We use to see this ALL THE TIME and people never got any sort of reimbursement for it.
But you don't know how many times we'd go into houses to do an inspection (for water leaks in the basement) and so often its new owners who wind up paying for it.
Even if you get an inspection that doesnt mean you're covered, you really need to find one who checks everything. The problem is people are always trying to cut costs, so they get the cheapest one they can, and the inspectors half ass the job.
Last house this happened too was a 1.4 million dollar home in Northern Jersey (Washington) and the guy called us for an inspection.
Turned out the inside of his foundation walls were starting to collapse on themselves (which cause A LOT of money to fix).
He said "I just bought the house" is there anything we can do about it?

And even though we said he can *try taking it to court, we've seen if happen hundreds of times before where nothing happens, the courts don't give a shit, and the owner winds up paying for the work.
Its fvcked up but you gotta understand how easy it is to gey away with. I'm sure next time you'll drop a nice dime on an inspector but not have to ever put up with this shit again.
But don't give up on account of me, I still say you do whatever is in your power to hold the original owners responsible, but I still think in the end it will be a featless task.

[Mooseman33]

burn the fvking house down and collect the insurance...

[Kratos]

burn the fvking house down and collect the insurance...

jewish lightning

[Dobie-BOY]

-Nooomoto; I got a brother just like that. He's a mean son of a bitch too. Maybe I should introduce my brother to the sellers.
-Kratos; documents being all the typical real estate transction documents,, disclosure statement Etc...
-Spywizard; so how do I get the discovery done? Does my lawyer and I have to take them to court first to get the discovery done? or is it something that is done before you ever go to court?
-Higherdesire- Nope, it was a good price for a good house.
-bojangles; I didnt try to get the cheapest inspector. I used the one my agent suggested. and I wish I could just give up and move on. As a matter of fact I tried, but a couple of days later I realized that I could never come to terms with this until I have exhausted all options. I would LOVE to get a chunk of change back from them, but its about alot more than that now.

I really appreciate everyones input. Its cool to know that I can come to this board and get useful feed back from people.

Im gonna continue to seek justice. I just hope I dont eventually have to take the law in my own hands. These fukin people are gonna pay one way or another eventually.

[Mooseman33]

i want kidding when i said burn the fvker to the ground man...

[CBGB]

Whats the companys name. We live close, if anything I can make sure nobody I know uses this company.

[Kratos]

You aren't going to get anything...the lawyer wants the money cause he's got a business to run.

You have to prove they had knowledge of the damage and it was pre-existing when you bought the house. Both impossible since over 2.5 years have gone by. In addition the fact you had a home inspection and the problem you speak of wasn't found at the time of purchase only hurts your case...how could they have known if your home inspector couldn't find it.

Unless you find the smoking gun...some type of proof they knew of the problem and tried to pass it off. If a contractor did the work on this problem you speak of and didn't fix it correctly you could possibly sue them, force them to fix the problem correctly. But a licenced contractor wouldn't cut those corners, and you have to prove they were negligent in their repairs.

You're going to end up eating it, or letting the house go.

[spywizard]

the saying goes

"I can hurt you more with a pen than with the sword"

it's very true

[Dobie-BOY]

You aren't going to get anything...the lawyer wants the money cause he's got a business to run.

You have to prove they had knowledge of the damage and it was pre-existing when you bought the house. Both impossible since over 2.5 years have gone by. In addition the fact you had a home inspection and the problem you speak of wasn't found at the time of purchase only hurts your case...how could they have known if your home inspector couldn't find it.

Unless you find the smoking gun...some type of proof they knew of the problem and tried to pass it off. If a contractor did the work on this problem you speak of and didn't fix it correctly you could possibly sue them, force them to fix the problem correctly. But a licenced contractor wouldn't cut those corners, and you have to prove they were negligent in their repairs.

You're going to end up eating it, or letting the house go.

That's some of the only good news there is, that I have proof that they knew about at least one of the problems because they told a guy that I met that "there was a leak in the breezeway, but it had bee fixed". the guy they said that too wrote a letter stating that and will witnes in court for me. Also, the house sat vacant for several months before they purchased it because it was a foreclosure. I have witness also that I xperienced water problems the first time it rained after I purchaed the house. Their would be no way for there not to hav been obvious water damage when they began rehabing it.