Hey folks! I bought a house three years ago, and since I moved in, I've faced quite a few major issues. The home was in a rough state before a flipper bought it, did some renovations, and then sold it to me. Here's a quick rundown of the biggest headaches:
1. **Insulation Problems:** There's one room that isn't insulated at all, plus overall poor insulation in the house makes my energy bills sky-high and winters/summers tough to handle.
2. **Unexplained Odor:** One room has a persistent bad smell, and despite spending a chunk of money on inspections and professional advice, no one can figure it out. The lack of crawlspace access makes it hard to check underneath for any issues.
Before buying, I did have a home inspection, but the flipper had just renovated, so the inspector missed these hidden problems. Now, I'm wondering if the seller must have known something was up and what my options are. Is there any legal recourse after three years, or am I stuck with these issues? I'm in [insert state/country for specific advice]. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Typically, after three years, your options are limited depending on your state’s laws. Most places have a statute of limitations for hidden defects, and if you can't prove the seller intentionally concealed issues, you're likely out of luck. Plus, if your purchase agreement had an "as-is" clause, it complicates things further. Best to consult a real estate lawyer who can give you specific guidance.
I feel for you! Unfortunately, once you buy a house, especially as-is, going after the seller can be pretty difficult. You’ll need to prove that they knowingly hid these issues. If the house had just been renovated, they might not have even known about the insulation problems. As for the smell, if it wasn't apparent before the purchase—well, that's tough luck. You might want to check your state laws regarding seller disclosures and possible recourse, but often once you’ve moved in, you’re responsible for fixes.
Right? If the smell is major and could be a health risk, that might give you some leverage. Just make sure to gather evidence.