Buying a home Georgia can be a long and complicated process and most homes that are not brand new have some items that need to be replaced and updated. Buyers expect that not everything will be perfect. It is critical that a buyer do a thorough home inspection before closing because after closing it can be difficult to hold a seller accountable for undisclosed problems.
The seller of a home wants to sell their home as quickly as possible and for the most money they can get. In order to do this, they may not be as honest about known defects in their home. Some of these defects may include:
- Hidden water damage
- Bad sewer line
- Pest damage
- Septic system issues
- Bad roofing
- HVAC, electrical and plumbing issues
- Cracks in home foundation
- Outdated wiring
The number of home defects that can be present are enormous which makes it critical that a home buyer has a thorough inspection. But if a defect is discovered after a sale, a buyer may want to contact an attorney who specializes in real estate litigation. If a seller has failed to disclose important known facts, a buyer may have a cause of action against them for fraud, breach of contract, or misrepresentation. If the buyer wins the case, the seller may be responsible for reimbursing the buyer for the price of the home plus damages. Or the buyer may elect to receive damages where the buyer keeps the home but is paid for the costs of repairing the defect.