are we (seller) responsible?

What is the name of your state? Missouri

We accepted $5,000 less than the asking price for our house, the buyer's inspection took place in December. He took 4 hours and complimented us on its good condition. There was one rotting window ledge to the master bedroom, for which we obtained a quote for repair and deducted from the final price,as agreed by the buyer. We closed on 2nd January. 3 months later we received a call from the buyer to say he decided to paint the window frames to 2 of the other bedrooms and found the wood is rotting - and that because it must have been rotting when we owned the house, we are responsible and should pay. He has sent us estimates for repairs, photographs, and says he will take us to court if we don't settle with him. We do not feel responsible, as this was something we knew nothing about, something the inspector did not find, and surely would be "general maintenance" to a 10 year old house. We are not talking a fortune here, but ARE we responsible? Any comments welcome - thanks.

[JETX]

"We are not talking a fortune here, but ARE we responsible?"
*** No one can answer your question factually, since we do not KNOW all the facts. Simply, this is your call. If you feel that there is no claim as you gave full disclosure and complied with the contractual obligations, then show up in court and present your defense. However, if it is a nominal amount, you might consider trying to negotiate a settlement to eliminate the hearing and time/ordeal involved.

[HomeGuru]

and have the Buyer's call the inspector back to check the windows out to see why those were possibly missed.

Thanks for the advice - the buyer did get his inspector back, this was our first response - apparently he is now going to "add an addendum to his original report". We haven't received a copy of this yet. But we don't understand how you can just "add" something to a report that was done 4 months ago and, to our minds, was the full and final step in the house purchse - if he didn't spot the rot then, how can he now add to the report that he DID? When he found rot on one window surely he would have checked the others even more closely? And if he didn't, then how can he now change his mind? Surely if that was allowed, it would open up the possibility for every inspector in the country to change his original findings to suit the buyer - and several maonths after the house has been bought!! Very confusing!

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Tessanne

Thanks for the advice - the buyer did get his inspector back, this was our first response - apparently he is now going to "add an addendum to his original report". We haven't received a copy of this yet. But we don't understand how you can just "add" something to a report that was done 4 months ago and, to our minds, was the full and final step in the house purchse - if he didn't spot the rot then, how can he now add to the report that he DID? When he found rot on one window surely he would have checked the others even more closely? And if he didn't, then how can he now change his mind? Surely if that was allowed, it would open up the possibility for every inspector in the country to change his original findings to suit the buyer - and several maonths after the house has been bought!! Very confusing!

**A: how much are we talking about here?

The cost is $400 for the 2 windows. I know it's not a lot of money, but I feel insulted that the buyer intimates we deliberately tried to hide it.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Tessanne

The cost is $400 for the 2 windows. I know it's not a lot of money, but I feel insulted that the buyer intimates we deliberately tried to hide it.

**A: too small a deal to worry about. Move on.