water damage- are we liable?

[townsley48]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? california
I bought a home just over a year ago. After the last rains we developed multiple leaks on the bottom story. It was coming out of the ceiling, windows, and electric outlets. We believe the water is getting in through where the deck and the house meet. Half of the deck is sitting on top of a room downstairs which also has leaks. On the ceiling of this room (which is a wood ceiling) there are 2 boards that are discolored. When we bought the house the home inspector said that it wasn't a problem. Now my insurance agent is saying that only an idiot wouldn't of noticed that it was water damage. The seller never disclosed any water or mold problems which we have both. I have a hard time believing that the seller lived here for 13 years and never had any problems and we lived here 1 year and have major problems. Are they liable at all or is this just the way the ball rolls. This is my husband and my first home and are very unexperienced in this matter.
Thank you for any help.

 

[seniorjudge]

Did you get an inspection when you bought the house?

What does it say about this situation?

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? california
I bought a home just over a year ago. After the last rains we developed multiple leaks on the bottom story. It was coming out of the ceiling, windows, and electric outlets. We believe the water is getting in through where the deck and the house meet. Half of the deck is sitting on top of a room downstairs which also has leaks. On the ceiling of this room (which is a wood ceiling) there are 2 boards that are discolored. When we bought the house the home inspector said that it wasn't a problem. Now my insurance agent is saying that only an idiot wouldn't of noticed that it was water damage. The seller never disclosed any water or mold problems which we have both. I have a hard time believing that the seller lived here for 13 years and never had any problems and we lived here 1 year and have major problems. Are they liable at all or is this just the way the ball rolls. This is my husband and my first home and are very unexperienced in this matter.
Thank you for any help.

**A: what did the TDS state about this issue?

 

[HomeGuru]

Did you get an inspection when you bought the house?

What does it say about this situation?

**A: read the writer's post for your answer.

 

[townsley48]

Yes we had a inspector and the said the area was fine. We now also found out that the house has no permits for the additions and is said to have 1400 sq ft.. The house was represented as 1800 sq ft to us by the seller. In our paperwork he checked the box saying he has no knowledge of the house not having permits for any areas. Since he did the work he obviously knows he didn't get a permit.

 

[HomeGuru]

Yes we had a inspector and the said the area was fine. We now also found out that the house has no permits for the additions and is said to have 1400 sq ft.. The house was represented as 1800 sq ft to us by the seller. In our paperwork he checked the box saying he has no knowledge of the house not having permits for any areas. Since he did the work he obviously knows he didn't get a permit.

**A: so why did you not get a building permit check prior to closing as part of your due diligence? Now you need to see a real estate attorney.

 

[townsley48]

**A: what did the TDS state about this issue?

What is TDS? Sorry first home here.

 

[townsley48]

**A: so why did you not get a building permit check prior to closing as part of your due diligence? Now you need to see a real estate attorney.

Whose responsibility was it to check that the building permits match the sq ft. If it was mine I had no idea. I read alot about how to buy a home correctly and I never read such a thing. Thanks.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is TDS? Sorry first home here.

**A: look at your papers and find a document titled Transfer Disclosure Statement.

 

[HomeGuru]

Whose responsibility was it to check that the building permits match the sq ft. If it was mine I had no idea. I read alot about how to buy a home correctly and I never read such a thing. Thanks.

**A: didn't your Realtor advise you?

 

[seniorjudge]

**A: didn't your Realtor advise you?

I disagree. It should be: **A: didn't your Realtor® advise you?

 

[HomeGuru]

I disagree. It should be: **A: didn't your Realtor® advise you?

**A: you are politically correct, but on an internet BB website, one does not have to use those trademark/tradename symbols. My keyboard does not have such icons anyway.

 

[seniorjudge]

...**A: you are politcally correct, but on an internet BB website, one does not have to use those trademark/tradename symbols. My keyboard does not have such icons anyway....

I am unable to control my own actions....

 

[HomeGuru]

I am unable to control my own actions....

**A: yes, we all know that as well as your uncontrollable brain.

 

[townsley48]

**A: look at your papers and find a document titled Transfer Disclosure Statement.

He didn't disclose any info. on the transfer disclosure statement. And no our realtor didn't advise us to check building permits.