Would you retain an attorney?

Sorry I don't know enough to help here. There are 2 issues 1) The false information 2) Damage done to the house. However, if this person did sign such a declaration then you may be able to sue them, but you would really have to talk to someone who knows about such things. It may mean that you either have to do some work or you have to accept that room cannot be furnished in the way you would like. An insurance company would be of more help with issue 2, but I don't know that I would raise issue 1 with them.

Absolutely! Both the sellar and the real estate agent (If there was one) broke several laws. Your situation is exactly what full disclosure laws are about. When that house went up for sale the owners were required to have it meet all local building codes, and if it didn't, they had to tell you where it was lacking. If it was sold "by owner" then yes, go after them for their lies. If it was sold through an agency, they are culpable for ALL the problems you cite. It won't be cheap though, since you will have to be able to demonstrate that the problems existed before you bought the home. Good Luck!

I am probably a bad one to answer this, being a former paralegal for over 20 years, my response is YES, retain an attorney, either get recommendations from friends or go to your local Bar Association to get a recommendation, NEVER, look in the phone book. But YES, you need to contact someone regarding legal action you can take on this lying seller. Good luck with this. If you need some help on where to find an attorney send me a private PM and I might be able to help you.

Soccermom- I wondered where you have been- and have missed your discussions! My advice to you is to go and speak with an attorney- For sure- I know alot of attorneys will speak with you and not charge for the Consultation. I would think that you have a great case- especially if he signed a disclosure saying that the basement was fine and have never had any problems prior like that- And then you find moldy walls and other junk- I'm not sure if you will win- to prove that he actually knew- but it's worth the shot- Check out it with a lawyer and see what they have to say- Take the disclosure and other closing documents with you- I'm sorry! that you have all this work to do-

Oh my, what a nightmare! I'd say the seller, the inspector and teh rwal estate agent are all at fault. And it's a serious offense to lie on the seller's disclosure, so I would absolutely contact an attorney. Hopefully this will all get settled for you without you having to spend a fortune. Keep us posted, soccermom!

You said the house went through an inspection. Was it before you bought it? If you knew about the problem before even if the previous owner didn't say anything, then I don't think you could sue him. But I could be wrong. The law system in my country is totally different from yours. Here if I buy a house I am suppose to make an inspection. If the problem is so hidden that not even an inspection could show it, and if it is clear that the owner did know about the problem, then I can sue him.

At first I thought it was out of the ordinary flooding, which seems to happen in different places every year... but then as I read on, I realized there was evidence of water damage.. so unless the house is in a flood plane, it seems there has been a problem with leakage. I suppose since he had finished it(?) he would know of this? Seems like he would have taken it more seriously.. unless he did the remodeling for the sale.. - I guess I would do some sort of search on these types of legal cases to see how they usually end up, especially in your area.

I would contact an attorney who does free consultations. That's the only way you're going to find out what your options are where you live. Laws vary state to state. Personally, I would think there's a reason why he had to sign the disclosure stating there was no problem. But don't take my word for it.

Oh I would really sue for he knew exactly what the flooding did he just wanted to sell and get out of there . Do sue him! good luck take pics and all

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I am not familiar with the real estate laws in your area, but here in Ontario,Canada, nondisclosure of material facts that may affect whether or not a sale would have ensued (presence of mould, rotting wood framing in the foundation, water damage, for instance) could trigger massive lawsuits (ouch!). Real estate here is very highly regulated both through legislation and industry self policing. The Real Estate Council of Ontario, which is a government body that looks after the education and licensing of Realtors in Ontario is doing a thorough clean up of the industry, to help both the consumer and the real estate professional. In a case like yours, if it happened here, and the property was listed by a Realtor, the Vendor/Seller would have had to fill up a Seller's Property Information Schedule, which has a long list of questions that ferrets out the "stuff" in a house that should be disclosed in good faith by Vendor to Buyer. Flooding, plumbing, heating, mould--they're all in there. However, even though the Vendor signs this disclosure, the Buyer and his agent will still need to exercise due diligence (get the house fully inspected, add a clause that the Vendor will pay for the cost of premium for getting a warranty for whatever parts of the house seem suspect, maybe that disclosure that your Vendor signed could be made an amendment to your agreement of purchase and sale, with a restitution section in case that which you fear does come about, etc.). If it could be proved that you were flimflammed, you may have recourse. My advice: get a very, very good real estate lawyer with a good reputation, who will take the time to explain your options (and the cost, of course). Good luck, SoccerMom! Do you have house insurance? If you do, find out if the flooding and subsequent damage is covered. :-D

I would think you would be able to sue. A previous poster said to get recommendations from friends or the bar association to find one. The least you could do is get some kind of free consultation from an attorney. If he/she thinks you have a case and can sue...do it! After all, the previous owner DID sign a disclosure! When we bought our house, the owners lied to us too. Nothing as serious as what happened to you happened to us. It was things that we discovered after living here for awhile. In hindsight, we should have had the inspector come with us through the final walkthrough to make sure all of the problems were taken care of as we requested. We only had him come out for the initial inspection. We were in a tough spot. We were moving from New York and had a relative as our realtor in Illinois. I find it so ironic that she hasn't even called us once, after selling us the house, to see how things are going. It kind of pisses me off!! PEACE

I do think y ou possibly do have a case and yes..you should retain a lawyer! You would have to prove that the owner had knowledge of such damage. He lived there for 16 years and it sounds as if he had to know. I would at least talk to an attorney and find if you have a case.

if i were you i will not believe the one who will sell his things to me i will check it for myself if you have the evidences maybe you can retain an attorney