How predatory remodeling ruined my house in a matter of days after closing
I repair and re-install the damaged garage service door. It now closes and latches correctly, but it still has bad seals, bad molding, and a bad threshold plate. The entire door should be replaced when the weather is warmer. Eventually, the temporary wooden stairs should also be replaced.
I learn that previous MLS records are archived, and only accessible by real estate agents. A family friend is able to help, and I’m able to retrieve the following statements.
RECENTLY REMODELED RAMBLER, LIGHT OAK CABINETS, ANGLED KITCHEN & BREAKFAST AREA + FORMAL DINING ROOM, LIVING
ROOM FIREPLACE; ACROSS STREET FROM KODIAK PARK; THIS IS INDEED A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU!
Total Bed/Bath: 3/1
Bedroom 1 Main 11X12
Bedroom 2 Main 11X11
Bedroom 3 Main 11X10
Bathrooms
Total: 1
Full: 1
Bath Description: Main Floor Full Bath
Fireplaces: 1
Fireplace Characteristics: Living Room, Wood Burning
Total Fin SqFt: 1,270
Sold Price: $192,700
Bank owned Bargain. Home needs TLC but priced accordingly. Did have some mold mostly in LL and 1 BR on main. Infected areas have been cut out. Brand new roof installed. LL bath partially finished. Great Location!
Total Bed/Bath: 4/2
Bedroom 1 Main 12X11
Bedroom 2 Main 11X11
Bedroom 3 Main 11X10
Bedroom 4 Lower
Bathrooms
Total: 2
Full: 2
Bath Description: Main Floor Full Bath, Full Basement, Whirlpool
Fireplaces: 1
Fireplace Characteristics: Living Room, Gas Burning
Total Fin SqFt: 2,170
Sold Price: $100,000
Back on the Market! Must see!! Beautiful and immaculate home next to park and schools. New roof, windows, floors, appliances,
paint. Across the street from Kordiak Park and Highland Lake. Great place to call home.
Total Bed/Bath: 4/2
Bedroom 1 Main 12X11
Bedroom 2 Main 11X11
Bedroom 3 Main 11X10
Bedroom 4 Lower
Bathrooms
Total: 2
Full: 2
Main Floor Full Bath, Upper Level 3/4 Bath
Fireplaces: 0
Total Fin SqFt: 2,170
Sold Price: $174,000
It sure would have been nice to know these facts when I was considering this home purchase:
The litigator I have been working with determines that taking action against the Seller for real estate fraud is not a problem, even with the Disclosure Waiver. However, during the purchase process, the Seller also asked me to agree to arbitration, which my realtor also coached me into. My particular agreement only allowed me to approach the Seller with disputes within 24 months from purchase.
In other words, if I had taken action sooner, I would have been able to make 1 claim against the Seller. However, I would never have been able to dispute every item, as some of them were not discovered until more than 24 months after purchase.
I am infuriated that I had been given bad advice by my realtor and bad legal advice by previous attorneys.
Years of ongoing repairs have accumulated lots of stress and debt. We desperately need a break, so we decide not to take on any large projects this year. Instead, we will use 2017 to pay down debt from house repairs.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the basement will remain dry until we can afford to install drain tile and a sump pump in 2018. Once that major mechanical issue is solved, we can think about re-finishing the basement.
John Kozlik bought a house in South Minneapolis and discovered predatory remodeling done without permits or inspections.
After discovery, the home’s appraised value dropped 66%.
The house was sold by a flipper called Ace of Spaces, LLC. The company was dissolved shortly after the sale.
John describes the stressful ordeal as the worst period in his life. “The world became a much darker place for me.” he says. “And almost every business that does repairs or restoration were just there to fully capitalize on our loss.”
More of John’s story was aired on WCCO news.
I have an appointment with city staff to review my proposal for Point of Sale Inspections! This is another milestone, because anyone can complain to the city council, but getting on their meeting agenda with a staff-recommend solution is much more difficult. I have been waiting for this moment for 2 years.
I’m also starting to work at the state level and gaining some traction there.
Our story is featured on WCCO once again, this time pointing out the work we have been doing to establish homebuyer protections at the state level.
Continuous rains cause basement flooding yet again. As we have seen in the past, the hydrostatic pressure in the hard clay soil beneath the foundation causes water to push up through the cracks in the concrete floor. This happens in every area of the basement, but most of the heavy flooding is localized to the southeast corner.
I spend the night removing 315 gallons with a shop vac.
We were considering the need for a drain tile and a sump pump, but wasn’t sure if it’s necessary. It is now abundantly clear that we must have drain tile. This changes all our of plans. It will mean more planning, more debt, and redoing some of the work we’ve already done.
To start with, we’ll have to empty the basement. Where will our storage go?
I decide to build a proper work bench in the garage to store and use our tools. I’m able to get the basic framing together in one evening.
The upcoming drain tile project means we’ll have to completely empty the basement. We’ve been using a basement closet as a makeshift tool cabinet that will need to be emptied as well. This new storage will come in handy.
I finish the work bench surfaces and tool pegboard.
