Disclosures and Estate Sales

[epalencar]

What is the name of your state? MI
I purchased a house as part of an estate in August 2004. I just found out that the previous owner had been paid $2700 by the Water and Sewer Department in 2003 because they were going to cut down one of her trees. The agreement was signed by the home owner and her personal representative. The homeowner died and I ended up purchasing the home with the tree still part of the property. Nothing was disclosed regarding this at the time of the sale. The tree was cut down today and I was able to get all this information from the Water and Sewer Department. They also said they had been sending notifications for the past couple months to the address of the personal representative. Is this legal? Please help. Thank you.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by epalencar

What is the name of your state? MI
I purchased a house as part of an estate in August 2004. I just found out that the previous owner had been paid $2700 by the Water and Sewer Department in 2003 because they were going to cut down one of her trees. The agreement was signed by the home owner and her personal representative. The homeowner died and I ended up purchasing the home with the tree still part of the property. Nothing was disclosed regarding this at the time of the sale. The tree was cut down today and I was able to get all this information from the Water and Sewer Department. They also said they had been sending notifications for the past couple months to the address of the personal representative. Is this legal? Please help. Thank you.

**A: yes, it is legal for them to be sending notifications for the past couple months to the address of the personal rep.

"...The homeowner died and I ended up purchasing the home with the tree still part of the property. Nothing was disclosed regarding this at the time of the sale...."

That's because the death warrant for the tree was not a matter of public record (i.e., the land deed records in the courthouse).

[HomeGuru]

Although estates are exempt from disclosure, you may have a case since the personal rep was aware. But you would spend $5000+ in legal fees to collect $2700.