Home defect detective work

[apegs]

I bought an older home in st.paul four years ago. I remember at some point during the process people had to sign a disclisure saying they where un aware of any defects such as water issues. I have been having water issues leaking in the basement that I find very hard to believe that never occured befor . I feel like I may have been lied to. Wondering if anyone has any knowledge on ways to investigate if there was any previous water issues. For example, insurance claims, flood cleanup work ect. Looking for some type of paper trail. The problem is I do not know where to start and I think it would be a hard thing to prove. If anyone has any knowledge of rocks to turn over I would appreciate it.

[Tom7227]

Not sure how you would find out but such things are hard, if not impossible to prove. You have to know that the homeowner knew of the defect and purposefully hid it from you. The real issue could well be what is known as the statute of limitations. Back when I was in school I think it was 3 years for a contract claim. But that was a long time ago for me.

[BartmanMN]

Did the people before you live there long? Ask your neighbors about it, they likely would know what kind of issues the house has had.

[delcecchi]

It seems unlikely they didn't know about water problems, but I will say that folks around me in Rochester have had problems this year that haven't had them in recent memory.

[PurpleFloyd]

It will probably be tough, expensive and time consuming. As Tom said I think the statute of limitations may also be at odds with you. Many times in homes it is only a year.

[rundrave]

Did you and the seller sign anything regarding mediation?

I bought a house in 2010 and had a very similar experience. I ended up getting a settlement for non disclosure. It was not a fun situation for either party.

The mediation process was pretty easy to go through and didn't require me to hire a lawyer but had to be initiated within a year of closing. At the end of it I got a legal document stating they didn't disclose info and now I'm stuck in a house I would have never bought had I known what I know now.

[upnorth]

Did the people before you live there long? Ask your neighbors about it, they likely would know what kind of issues the house has had.

Best answer.

[delcecchi]

I think the form was the Minnesota Truth in Housing form. You might look up that law and see what it says.

http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?nid=1085

(Actually it appears to be a local thing. There might be another report as well)

Anyway, check there and see if that helps.