Dishonesty in home sales

[DigMe]

We bought a new house this week. Things got really weird on closing day. We did our walkthrough of the house the night before and realized that they had not fixed one of the things that they'd agreed to in an ammendment to the contract (an A/C-related issue). We closed on our old house we were selling but we delayed the closing to the new house until we could gather more info. As the day went on and I began to talk to people who the seller had dealt with it began to look like the seller was flat-out lying about the whole issue and trying to hide the truth. After 5 hours of negotiations over the phone between the realtors (as we spoke to various people and learned the truth) we were finally able to secure the money (a fairly large sum) to fix the issue but some of it actually came from the seller's exasperated realtor as the seller wouldn't go over a certain amount. At times we were considering walking away from the deal and being homeless. In the end we put our trust in our home inspector (who's a very good inspector and who found this issue to begin with) and went through with the deal.

I'm really hoping that nothing else hidden pops up but in the end I'm feeling OK about everything except for the seller's dishonesty towards this issue. He didn't help to change the stereotype of the crooked lawyer as that is his profession. No, I didn't buy a house from Latimour.

Throughout this whole thing I've had visions of the movies The Money Pit with Tom Hanks and Moving with Richard Pryor. I never shoulda watched those movies!

Anyone else have any stories of flat-out being lied to by a home seller?

bc

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by DigMe

We bought a new house this week. Things got really weird on closing day. We did our walkthrough of the house the night before and realized that they had not fixed one of the things that they'd agreed to in an ammendment to the contract (an A/C-related issue). We closed on our old house we were selling but we delayed the closing to the new house until we could gather more info. As the day went on and I began to talk to people who the seller had dealt with it began to look like the seller was flat-out lying about the whole issue and trying to hide the truth. After 5 hours of negotiations over the phone between the realtors (as we spoke to various people and learned the truth) we were finally able to secure the money (a fairly large sum) to fix the issue but some of it actually came from the seller's exasperated realtor as the seller wouldn't go over a certain amount. At times we were considering walking away from the deal and being homeless. In the end we put our trust in our home inspector (who's a very good inspector and who found this issue to begin with) and went through with the deal.

I'm really hoping that nothing else hidden pops up but in the end I'm feeling OK about everything except for the seller's dishonesty towards this issue. He didn't help to change the stereotype of the crooked lawyer as that is his profession. No, I didn't buy a house from Latimour.

Throughout this whole thing I've had visions of the movies The Money Pit with Tom Hanks and Moving with Richard Pryor. I never shoulda watched those movies!

Anyone else have any stories of flat-out being lied to by a home seller?

bc

If the lawyer was lying or in breach of contract you may wish to make a report to the relevant professional body.

[DigMe]

Then I would have to prove things that may be circumstantial. For instance - the seller provided us with a 1 year home warranty in the sale. The home warranty companies are notoriously difficult to deal with and get large replacements from (a/c systems for example) but including one in the sale is pretty standard here. He claimed that he talked to the home warranty company's contracted a/c guy and that the A/C guy told him that if I called in when my home warranty kicks in he'd be able to replace it under the warranty. I spoke to the A/C guy and he claims he said no such thing and went on to tell me he was almost certain the warranty WOULDN'T cover it since it's a preexisting condition. Now it's simply he-said/he-said which is hard to prove. Also, I'd be kind of nervous that this guy would sue me.

BTW, Just kidding about the lawyers thing.

bc

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

If the lawyer was lying or in breach of contract you may wish to make a report to the relevant professional body.

Lawyers lie? No, they are honorable officers of the court.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Quickie

Lawyers lie? No, they are honorable officers of the court.

No one is suggesting lawyers don't lie. Perhaps that chip on your shoulder is hindering your ability to read. Did you get knocked back from law school or something?

[MJ5150]

Good job being thorough on your walk through. I have bought one home in my lifetime, and it was a trouble free process. We found some issues on the inspection, the seller (a bank in Texas, the house was a HUD repo) promptly cleared them up to our satisfaction.

-Mike

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

No one is suggesting lawyers don't lie. Perhaps that chip on your shoulder is hindering your ability to read. Did you get knocked back from law school or something?

He certainly does seem to have some compulsive need to react whenever someone mentions the word "lawyer." I think he thinks he's being clever.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

No one is suggesting lawyers don't lie. Perhaps that chip on your shoulder is hindering your ability to read. Did you get knocked back from law school or something?

No chip. Just really have no respect for most, not ALL, just most lawyers.

Originally Posted by DigMe

He didn't help to change the stereotype of the crooked lawyer as that is his profession.

bc

Who has the chip?

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by Quickie

Who has the chip?

bc

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Quickie

No chip. Just really have no respect for most, not ALL, just most lawyers.

Well, that would be in contrast to most, not ALL, just most lawyers who couldn't give a **** about you or what you think!

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Good job being thorough on your walk through. I have bought one home in my lifetime, and it was a trouble free process. We found some issues on the inspection, the seller (a bank in Texas, the house was a HUD repo) promptly cleared them up to our satisfaction.

-Mike

That's good. Our last home purchase went OK. Our sale of that home was great and I even threw in $60 extra that I didn't have to because the kitchen sprayer base broke within the past week or so. That's another reason this really, really irked me... this kind of dishonesty is just a whole other universe from the way I operate. My policy is total honesty and it has cost me some money or stress at times in my life but the alternative is unacceptable.

bc

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by DigMe

bc

Congrats on the new home BTW. My first one had a few minor issues, but they were taken care of. No lawyers involved.

[Pilgrim]

I think the home warranty was a good idea, but I'd sure keep an eye on the AC system. In Texas, that's a critical comfort system. I think I'd follow up with the company issuing the warranty, share your concern, and get clarification on coverage. The local contractor is not the one who makes that call - the company issuing the warranty is.

I suppose the good news is that you can replace an entire AC system for a few thou, and no matter how bad the problem is, you most likely wouldn't need to do the entire system.

Congrats on the home - I hope it's a great fit and that you're very happy there.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Well, that would be in contrast to most, not ALL, just most lawyers who couldn't give a **** about you or what you think!

Exactly. They could care less about anyone but themselves. Thanks for making my point.

[DigMe]

Most of the attorneys that I personally know have the utmost integrity and I would have no issues trusting them with just about anything.

For example - if I had a man purse that I needed someone to hold for me I would have no problems trusting Latty with that task.

bc

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Febs

He certainly does seem to have some compulsive need to react whenever someone mentions the word "lawyer." I think he thinks he's being clever.

Indeed, thinking he's being clever does seem to be a bit of an issue of late. Oh well, no need to derail the Qintar's thread further.

Brad - I would recommend that you put in a call to the local professional body, you'll probably find a basic complaint might be able to be made anonymously or at least they can give you advice. One of the blessings / curses of being in a profession is that you are accountable to the professional body for yoru conduct (including in your personal capacity)so if the guy is a practicing lawyer and is being dishonest it is something that the professional body may be interested in.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by DigMe

Most of the attorneys that I personally know have the utmost integrity and I would have no issues trusting them with just about anything.

For example - if I had a man purse that I needed someone to hold for me I would have no problems trusting Latty with that task.

bc

And you know how many?

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I think the home warranty was a good idea, but I'd sure keep an eye on the AC system. In Texas, that's a critical comfort system. I think I'd follow up with the company issuing the warranty, share your concern, and get clarification on coverage. The local contractor is not the one who makes that call - the company issuing the warranty is.

I suppose the good news is that you can replace an entire AC system for a few thou, and no matter how bad the problem is, you most likely wouldn't need to do the entire system.

You probably missed the part in the OP where I was able to negotiate the money to fix the A/C. The guys are installing a new air handler as I type this.

bc

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Quickie

Exactly. They could care less about anyone but themselves. Thanks for making my point.

What can I say? You must live in a state of bliss.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

What can I say? You must live in a state of bliss.

No, fruits and nuts. California.