Recourse For Buying A Lemon House Review
: Take photos, videos, and keep a log of when issues appeared.
: While title insurance usually covers ownership disputes, certain "enhanced" policies may cover specific physical defects or permit issues that weren't discovered during the title search.
: If the sales contract included specific warranties or repairs that the seller failed to complete, the buyer can sue for a breach of the purchase agreement. recourse for buying a lemon house
Beyond litigation, there are practical steps to mitigate the financial blow of a lemon house.
: Most states require sellers to provide a Property Disclosure Statement. If a seller intentionally hid a "latent defect" (a problem not easily seen during a standard inspection), they may be liable for fraud or misrepresentation . : Take photos, videos, and keep a log
While the "buyer beware" ( caveat emptor ) philosophy still exists in some forms, modern consumer protection laws have shifted the burden of honesty onto the seller. Through a combination of legal action and insurance claims, buyers can often recover the costs of turning a "lemon" back into a home.
: Hire independent contractors to determine the cost of repairs and whether the damage appears "old" or "masked." Beyond litigation, there are practical steps to mitigate
The primary strategy for a buyer who discovers serious issues after closing is to determine if the seller or their agent violated disclosure laws.
