Realtors Listing Lied-Not newer roof!

[Kay1]

What is the name of your state? Iowa
I recently purchased a home in November 2006 and have been moved in for about 3-4 weeks when I noticed water droplets on the ceiling of two of my corner rooms. I had a roofer come out and he informed me that my roof is leaking. He told me the shingles were between 10-15 years old and needed to be replaced. On the listing sheet for my house they had typed in "newer roof" which is an obvious mis advertisement of the age of the roof. I have found that the age of most roofs before needing replaced is 10-15 years. 20 if you are lucky. I never even bothered checking out the roof when buying as the words "newer roof" made me feel as though my roof was new within the last few years. The house was an estate and was sold as-is, but being they misadvertised wouldn't the sellers or selling agent be responsible? What draws to my concerns also is the fact this old lady had kept both receipts and manuals for everything even tube socks, books from b. dalton, trash bags, delivery reciepts from the post man where she had to sign I mean everything is in this book you would ever want to know however there is no receipts for shingles or a roofing company which I find rather odd that she kept $4 receipts and then a big purchase such as this there is no receipt making it look rather suspicious as if someone had removed it. I hope someone has some knowledge on this. Thanks.

[seniorjudge]

What did your house inspection say about the roof?

[JETX]

Originally Posted by Kay1

On the listing sheet for my house they had typed in "newer roof" which is an obvious mis advertisement of the age of the roof.

Though I understand your point... the term 'newer roof' means nothing... without a specific year being provided. A good defense could be made that a 'newer roof' simply means it is 'newer' than the rest of the house.

I never even bothered checking out the roof when buying as the words "newer roof" made me feel as though my roof was new within the last few years.

Not real solid in court to say that you 'felt' something that wasn't specifically stated.

The house was an estate and was sold as-is

OOPS!!! There goes your claim.

but being they misadvertised wouldn't the sellers or selling agent be responsible?

You might have a fair chance if you were able to PROVE fraud or deception in the sale... but as stated earlier.... a 'newer roof' doesn't qualify as either. Simply 'sales puff'.
Kind of like "Large living area"... or "beautiful entry"... or "designer kitchen".

[PghREA]

The Realtor only knows what the Seller tells him.

Somewhere on the flyer there is a statement that basically says "information is deemed to be accurate but, not guaranteed"

A home inspector could have told you the approximate age of the roof. You did get a home inspection, right?