Expert: Jessica Bryan - 9/16/2008

Question
Ms Bryan,

I purchased my home 121407,and moved in 031008. Due to roof leaking,and many other issues such as no kitchen I turned to the City of Sunrise Florida for assistance.  After months of begging and pleaing they said they would assist me.  My problem is when they came to inspect the home they advised me that my dining room was added on illegally, and because of that the government will no longer will assist me with any repairs.  They advise me that even though I purchased the home without any knowlege of the illegal addition I am now responsible for the illegal addition.   I am not sure what to do.  This is my first home at 44yrs old, and I do not have the money to make the repairs or fight the locat city officials over the illegal addition.  What do I do?

Answer
Dear Dianne;
I don't know what the circumstances of your purchase were.  Was this a listed home using a real estate broker?  If so you can go after the brokerage.  If not, you will have to pursue legal action against the seller only if the seller willfully misrepresented the home and its condition to you.  If there is an illegal addition that was not represented as illegal even though it could be proved that the seller had knowledge of this, then you will have to contact an attorney to assist you in getting compensation.  However, if the situation is different than what I described, I don't hold much hope that there is anything that you can do.  It's the old "Buyer Beware" trap.  That is why it is always good to use a REALTOR or a real estate professional since they can advise you on these matters before you sign on the dotted line.

Good luck!

Jessica Bryan