A little white lie doesn’t hurt anyone.
However, when a seller says it, there’s usually ill intent behind it. They want to sell the house no matter what!
Buying a house is a highly stressful undertaking. However, it can be more hectic for the seller because they deal with various things. So, expect them to lie a little. You must see the deception and ensure you are not trapped in a deal that will cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and obtaining legal documents.
While it’s illegal to lie about any damaged features of the house, sometimes a seller fibs, hoping the buyer might not notice. The good news is that you can file a case against the seller for deceiving you. Before it comes to this, let’s take a look at some things sellers lie about their Orlando real estate:
Water Damage
Yes, water damage sends a buyer to another offer, but a seller must legally disclose it. Even if the seller does not tell you outright, you will find out about it in the home inspection. If the report reveals extensive damage, you can demand the seller return your earnest money and back out of the deal.
Note: If the seller extends the offer of getting the repairs done, do not stay in the deal. If they lied about this, God knows what else they lied about.
Termite Damage
Termites don’t leave a house quickly, and the treatment for getting rid of them is expensive. The lender might refuse the loan application when the house is infested with termites.
Even if the house had termites and was treated for it, the seller must legally inform you about it. Ask the seller to show you the receipts for the termite treatment. If you see any signs of termites, such as bubbling paint, small pinholes, discolored wallpaper, sunken areas, and buckling wood, ensure your suspicions by hiring a termite inspector.
Remodeling Without a Permit
Getting a permit for a renovation is a long and expensive process. If the seller got done something illegally or didn’t get approval from the Homeowners Association, be prepared to face problems in the future. Your pleas of “We weren’t informed and had no idea” will fall on deaf ears.
The local building authority reports structural changes. If you were unaware of the renovation, you would be told to tear it down. However, you would be sued if you knew about it and failed to keep it up to the building code.
Ongoing Disputes With Neighbors
While a seller is not required to disclose this information, knowing about any disputes with neighbors will prepare you mentally. For example, the current owner might be feuding about the fence line, leading to name-calling now and then. If you are in the right, there’s nothing to worry about. However, talking to the neighbors and coming to an agreement can make everyone’s lives easy.
To see through the lies, a seller tells you, having a Dr. Phillips Realtor working for you is better. Visit the Megan Dowdy Realty website to get in touch with one now. For more information, call 407-509-9279.
