Buying or Selling a Home/Collapsed Sewer

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Expert: - 3/1/2010


Question
My husband and I purchased our first home about 3 months ago. We did a little remodeling and moved in a few weeks ago. Well, the sewer backed up into our basement last week. We did some research and found out the sewer pipe had collapsed. We had to have the orangeburg pipes replaced with PVC. The sellers claim that they had not had any problems with the sewer while they lived here, but the multiple plumbers we had check it out said they had to know something was wrong. Not to mention we have a witness that says they had a snake out all the time. We took pictures of the old pipes. I would just like to know if the sellers should pay for the replacement.

Answer
Hey, Heidi.

The answer to your question depends on a lot of variables, one of which is proving that the Sellers had problems, and proof has to come from beyond hearsay.

I'm also hoping you had a home inspection.

Nonetheless, since you're only three months out from your close of escrow, it's definitely worthwhile to explore this situation further. Most attorneys provide 30-60 minutes of free consultation, and I would recommend contacting a good real estate attorney and let him evaluate the situation for your state since different states also have different rules concerning this type of situation.

Also let your Realtor know what you are doing, as well as your home inspector. Make sure that you fully read your home inspection report and any plumbing items therein.

Hope that helps.

Russel

Buying or Selling a Home

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Russel Ray

Expertise

Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.

Experience

Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas

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