Expert: John - 3/17/2008

Question
Hi, we are learning a lot after buying our first home. We did not do the inspection with the inspector; my husband just met him towards the end. He did not report the water heater was inside the home at an illegal amount of space to the bedrooms. We were informed by our plumber after moving in about this. Now going on four years later we are informed that the structural beams in the attic are broken in plain sight and there have been recent attempts to cover this up. We also found that the beams for the garage are broken and covered up with drywall that was mismatched and strategically place just to cover up damage, but I let that go to, but now that the roof over our heads is in danger of collapsing I need to know my right. Please help guide us to any right we may have.

Answer
So you did have the house inspected?  If so, you need to be able to prove the damage is from 4 years ago.
Do you have proof the damage did not happen over the years, in the 4 years you bought it?

If you can prove or think it is from the inspection, then you need to hire a inspector.

Go to www.YorkPAhome.com

click on Favorite Links

go down to Inspection - Home

click on ASHI

When you hire a inspector, always make sure they are ASHI.  When you call, ask them if they can tell how old the damage is.

Ask the plumber to put that in writing about the heater.

Then you need to hire a real estate attorney.

Also, was this disclosed from the seller?  

John