Expert: Jessica Bryan - 4/17/2008

Question
My friend and I were watching one of those home renovation shows and they were talking about how much money they were making and how great it was and how they were goign to be rich. But then they found out they had to replace all the pipes and they said that was going to be expensive and the woman on the show started crying.

It got me thinking, could me and Jimmy just buy a house and then sell the pipes then sell the house. Like just make an ass-ton of money off the pipes and then sell the house as is and not tell the people that there aren't any pipes? Like they wouldn't even notice until they went to shower and they'd be buying it as is anyway so whatever, it's their fault.

So could I do that?

Also could we like include in the contract that you dont get any grass but like in small print cus no one's going to think to check to make sure they get grass and then after they sign we take all the gras off and sell it to the golf course near Jimmy's cousin's place?

So could we do that?

Answer
Dear Sean;
Do you really expect me to condone such dishonest behavior?!  I know that there are plenty of unscrupulous individuals looking to make money and take advantage of others but I sincerely hope that you are not one of them and that this was just "tongue-in-cheek".  Knowingly trying to commit fraud is a punishable offense. I think that no matter what, there are people who try to cover themselves contractually by disclosing "as is" but end up being sued.  Disclosure is a huge part of real estate deals and if you hide something for the purpose of getting a higher dollar amount, you can be held accountable.  DON'T DO IT!

Jessica Bryan