Question:
(From clients whose home I sold in San Diego.)
“We found some serious structural damage to the addition of the home we just bought here in Texas. Kelly and I would appreciate your opinion given your expertise in real estate. We were told the addition was permitted but can find no documentation of it. A general contractor told us the addition was so poorly done that no government agency would permit it. What are your thoughts?”
Answer:
Sorry to hear about the issues with your house. Laws regarding disclosure and liability vary state to state, so I can only give you my opinion based on CA law.
In CA, a seller must disclose anything they know or have evidence of that could “materially affect the value or desirability” of the house.
So if they knew about defects or the lack of a permit and didn’t disclose it, they would be liable – in CA anyway.
But to know your rights and the seller’s liability, you should consult with a Texas real estate attorney.