Move in Disaster

[Tiffmh]

What is the name of your state? WA

Hello, we've been moved in for a little bit but I am still peeved about the conditions upon move in. I am a stay at home mom so I was left out of most of the process(although I am the more detail oriented one).

1. The day we got the keys to move in we drove to our new house and found it had been broken into leaving a window broken over the sink in the kitchen. Our homeowners said that our deductible was higher than the cost of the window so we were liable although we didn't actually have rights to the property or any abilty to stop it from happening. Apparently the sellers left the house empty for weeks or months prior to the sell, or so the neighbors say.

2. Upon move in day, my husband told me not to worry about transfering the electricity to the house because the realtor told him the escrow company handles this. We did nothing, we were left without power for a week after moving in.

3. We noticed there was no mailbox upon move in...not a BIG issue...but it was odd

4. The BIG issue. When going in to sign the final paperwork we were unable to get a sitter so we took our 2 and 6yo with us. I was told I would just have to sign a couple things along with my husband so I kept an eye on the kids primarily and just kept one hear to what he was explaining and came over to sign every so often. I thought I read or listened to the explanation of most of the documents, especially those I signed, but there was one we got later in the mail I particualarly know I did not wish to sign, I imagine i was dealing with the kids and it must have been the ONLY document he did not explain, we got a quit claim deed a few weeks after moving in with my signature on it. My husband claims not to know anything about this and I do not remember this document. I am really upset about it.

I know this is a lot, but it was a particually bad experience. I want to know are we liable for the window(1), whose responsibility was the power(2), isn't the mailbox part of the property(3), and what is the deal with 4 and how can we fix it(my husband says he wants me on it and I am offended this happened) also why would this be done with neither of our requests, I'm not on the mortgage because they insisted it would only hurt our credit because I don't have a job right now. Thanks for your help

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Tiffmh

What is the name of your state? WA

Hello, we've been moved in for a little bit but I am still peeved about the conditions upon move in. I am a stay at home mom so I was left out of most of the process(although I am the more detail oriented one).

1. The day we got the keys to move in we drove to our new house and found it had been broken into leaving a window broken over the sink in the kitchen. Our homeowners said that our deductible was higher than the cost of the window so we were liable although we didn't actually have rights to the property or any abilty to stop it from happening. Apparently the sellers left the house empty for weeks or months prior to the sell, or so the neighbors say.

**A: Ok, welcome to home ownership.
********

2. Upon move in day, my husband told me not to worry about transfering the electricity to the house because the realtor told him the escrow company handles this. We did nothing, we were left without power for a week after moving in.

**A: so you now know that that was wrong on your part and your husbands part.
**********

3. We noticed there was no mailbox upon move in...not a BIG issue...but it was odd

**A: install one.
********

4. The BIG issue. When going in to sign the final paperwork we were unable to get a sitter so we took our 2 and 6yo with us. I was told I would just have to sign a couple things along with my husband so I kept an eye on the kids primarily and just kept one hear to what he was explaining and came over to sign every so often. I thought I read or listened to the explanation of most of the documents, especially those I signed, but there was one we got later in the mail I particualarly know I did not wish to sign, I imagine i was dealing with the kids and it must have been the ONLY document he did not explain, we got a quit claim deed a few weeks after moving in with my signature on it. My husband claims not to know anything about this and I do not remember this document. I am really upset about it.

**A: I don't know why. I don't even know what you are really upset about.
********

I know this is a lot, but it was a particually bad experience. I want to know are we liable for the window(1), whose responsibility was the power(2), isn't the mailbox part of the property(3), and what is the deal with 4 and how can we fix it(my husband says he wants me on it and I am offended this happened) also why would this be done with neither of our requests, I'm not on the mortgage because they insisted it would only hurt our credit because I don't have a job right now. Thanks for your help

**A: see above.

[Tiffmh]

I meant to say for #2 that it was about a month before he told me...upon move in day was when we found out there was no power...sorry i wrote that wrong.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Tiffmh

I meant to say for #2 that it was about a month before he told me...upon move in day was when we found out there was no power...sorry i wrote that wrong.

**A: not relevant since even if escrow was in charge, you as the homeowner could have called the electric co. to make sure service was activated.

[Souix]

Originally Posted by Tiffmh

What is the name of your state? WA

Hello, we've been moved in for a little bit but I am still peeved about the conditions upon move in. I am a stay at home mom so I was left out of most of the process(although I am the more detail oriented one).

1. The day we got the keys to move in we drove to our new house and found it had been broken into leaving a window broken over the sink in the kitchen. Our homeowners said that our deductible was higher than the cost of the window so we were liable although we didn't actually have rights to the property or any abilty to stop it from happening. Apparently the sellers left the house empty for weeks or months prior to the sell, or so the neighbors say.

2. Upon move in day, my husband told me not to worry about transfering the electricity to the house because the realtor told him the escrow company handles this. We did nothing, we were left without power for a week after moving in.

3. We noticed there was no mailbox upon move in...not a BIG issue...but it was odd

4. The BIG issue. When going in to sign the final paperwork we were unable to get a sitter so we took our 2 and 6yo with us. I was told I would just have to sign a couple things along with my husband so I kept an eye on the kids primarily and just kept one hear to what he was explaining and came over to sign every so often. I thought I read or listened to the explanation of most of the documents, especially those I signed, but there was one we got later in the mail I particualarly know I did not wish to sign, I imagine i was dealing with the kids and it must have been the ONLY document he did not explain, we got a quit claim deed a few weeks after moving in with my signature on it. My husband claims not to know anything about this and I do not remember this document. I am really upset about it.

I know this is a lot, but it was a particually bad experience. I want to know are we liable for the window(1), whose responsibility was the power(2), isn't the mailbox part of the property(3), and what is the deal with 4 and how can we fix it(my husband says he wants me on it and I am offended this happened) also why would this be done with neither of our requests, I'm not on the mortgage because they insisted it would only hurt our credit because I don't have a job right now. Thanks for your help

1. You are responsible for turning on your utilities. Escrow does not do this. Read the copies of the documents escrow gave you that you signed in closing. One of which is the escrow instructions.

2. Some people don't have a mailbox, simply because of mail theft and the previous owner could have taken it out and gotten a P.O. Box instead, or if you are in a community there may be mail boxes that are locked in a separate location for the community. Ask your Realtor about this.

3. Is that your signature on the Quitclaim Deed? Was your signature notarized? You can go back to the escrow company and have them add you to the Deed with a new Deed, but the lender probably only wanted your husband to be on title since he is the only one on the loan. If you look down in the little boxes at the bottom it says: "After Recording Return To"
and your address is in that box. You get the original mailed to you after it is recorded so you can see that it has been done.

Edited to say: About the window, can you prove that it was broken before your deed recorded? If not, its your expense, its called homeownership. Congratulations!

[Tiffmh]

Originally Posted by Tiffmh
What is the name of your state? WA

Hello, we've been moved in for a little bit but I am still peeved about the conditions upon move in. I am a stay at home mom so I was left out of most of the process(although I am the more detail oriented one).

1. The day we got the keys to move in we drove to our new house and found it had been broken into leaving a window broken over the sink in the kitchen. Our homeowners said that our deductible was higher than the cost of the window so we were liable although we didn't actually have rights to the property or any abilty to stop it from happening. Apparently the sellers left the house empty for weeks or months prior to the sell, or so the neighbors say.

**A: Ok, welcome to home ownership.
********
so you are saying the seller has the right to trash the house before selling it or at least leave it to the buyers in a trashed state


2. Upon move in day, my husband told me not to worry about transfering the electricity to the house because the realtor told him the escrow company handles this. We did nothing, we were left without power for a week after moving in.

**A: so you now know that that was wrong on your part and your husbands part.
**********
actually i was going on what my husband told me, which he interperted from our realtor, I don't think that was wrong on my part being that I mentioned my concern about it several times and I was told it would be taken care of


3. We noticed there was no mailbox upon move in...not a BIG issue...but it was odd

**A: install one.
********
We did, thanks for not answering my question


4. The BIG issue. When going in to sign the final paperwork we were unable to get a sitter so we took our 2 and 6yo with us. I was told I would just have to sign a couple things along with my husband so I kept an eye on the kids primarily and just kept one hear to what he was explaining and came over to sign every so often. I thought I read or listened to the explanation of most of the documents, especially those I signed, but there was one we got later in the mail I particualarly know I did not wish to sign, I imagine i was dealing with the kids and it must have been the ONLY document he did not explain, we got a quit claim deed a few weeks after moving in with my signature on it. My husband claims not to know anything about this and I do not remember this document. I am really upset about it.

**A: I don't know why. I don't even know what you are really upset about.
********
you wouldn't be upset if you were given a quit claim deed to sign without being told about it. maybe you don't know what one is. you have thus far not been helpful with anything else



I know this is a lot, but it was a particually bad experience. I want to know are we liable for the window(1), whose responsibility was the power(2), isn't the mailbox part of the property(3), and what is the deal with 4 and how can we fix it(my husband says he wants me on it and I am offended this happened) also why would this be done with neither of our requests, I'm not on the mortgage because they insisted it would only hurt our credit because I don't have a job right now. Thanks for your help


**A: see above.
see what? you answered nothing, I asked what my rights are, how is a typical home selling/buying process done and you don't seem to know. If anyone choses to comment I would appreciate if you would actually say something helpful which is why I posted this question. Thank you.

[HomeGuru]

Lady, you have a bad attitude. I'm done helping you.

[nextwife]

A third party cannot obligate you to the finanacial responsibilty of etsablishing electrical/gas or phone service. Any more than a third party can open a credit card that you would be responsible for. Likely your husband just presumed this would be the case, instead of really checking. Escrow companies do not establish service, because it is YOUR financial obligation.

Yes, the window was broken, the sellers likely didn't even know. And they likely should have left the mailbox, but this is penny ante stuff. Was it a big picture window, or a simple double hung?

If you are NOT in title, it is very simple for him to QC to both you and he. Then you simply get it recorded.

[Souix]

HG sorry I posted at the same time you were OP, HomeGuru is an attorney.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Souix

HG sorry I posted at the same time you were OP, HomeGuru is an attorney.

**A: No problem Souix, I hope you had a happy 4th. Good to see you around here.

[Tiffmh]

thank you souix for giving helpful advice. I wanted to know this because I've considered leaving my husband over it, he was supposed to be taking care of these things, I was being told not to worry about it. I was being totally excluded. The kids and I were the ones who had to sit in a house with a broken window for a week without electricity. If that wasn't bad enough after everythings all good and fine I find a document that must have been signed while holding a screaming child and told it is just a formality or something, and I am only to wonder if my husband is the one who is requesting this quit claim behind my back. I just wanted to know what is really going on and how much my husband was in control of and how much he is just not taking responsibility for. He has had all the documents but I am left out, so I came here. Anyways thanks again.

[Tiffmh]

HomeGuru

bad attitude, you're kidding right? You give an extremely rude and unhelpful response and I have the bad attitude. You never did help me.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Tiffmh

thank you souix for giving helpful advice. I wanted to know this because I've considered leaving my husband over it, he was supposed to be taking care of these things, I was being told not to worry about it. I was being totally excluded. The kids and I were the ones who had to sit in a house with a broken window for a week without electricity. If that wasn't bad enough after everythings all good and fine I find a document that must have been signed while holding a screaming child and told it is just a formality or something, and I am only to wonder if my husband is the one who is requesting this quit claim behind my back. I just wanted to know what is really going on and how much my husband was in control of and how much he is just not taking responsibility for. He has had all the documents but I am left out, so I came here. Anyways thanks again.

**A: so the real issues are not real estate law related at all. Try Dear Abby or Dr. Phil.

[nextwife]

Well, honestly, if he is working full-time and you are a stay at home mom, why didn't YOU take on some of this responsibilty? Phone the utilities, verify service dates, follow up on and compare prices for the hazard insurance, get the binder and review the closing details? I have a 6 year old, work fulltime, and I'm the one who located our great deal of a home, secured the financing, arranged the code-compliance inspections, repair escrows and obtained contractor bids, etc.

Why wouldn't you have just placed some phone calls yourself to verify all was in place? Sorry, but it's not right and not fair to dump 100% responsibilty on him if you chose to do nothing to follow up on any details.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by nextwife

Well, honestly, if he is working full-time and you are a stay at home mom, why didn't YOU take on some of this responsibilty? Phone the utilities the verify service dates, follow up on the insurance and closing details? I have a 6 year old, work fulltime, and I'm the one who located our great deal of a home, secured the financing, arranged the code-compliance inspections, repair escrows and obtained contractor bids, etc. Why wouldn't you have just placed some phone calls yourself to verify all was in place?

**A: Huh? Because it just takes too much responsiblity and common sense to do those things nexie.