My husband and I bought our first house together in 2016.
It’s a cute cottage built in the early ’90s.
Fast-forward a few months after the inspection and the closing.
We’ve moved in and I’m stocking the cabinet under our kitchen sink with cleaning supplies.
That is, until I tried to put stuff in it.
And this was all pre-COVID, before home buying became a full-time competitive sport.
“It’s been a little crazy in the real estate market,” realtor Ann Broderick tells me.
That’s putting it lightly.
Could we have done something differently to spot the cabinet issue earlier?
Is there anything we can do now?
“My recommendation is to use professionals.
That feeling of urgency to make a quick offer is understandable.
But you have to understand the potential risks of skipping the inspection process, says Broderick.
You should also attend the inspection yourself.
She also advises clients to read the seller disclosure carefully.
That’s the document where the seller is supposed to list and explain all of the home repairs needed.
It’s their job to search the details and ask questions on your behalf.
You should ask for transferable warranties, too, Broderick explains.
Separately, you’ve got the option to also consider getting a home warranty, she adds.
Ultimately, we opted to paint them instead.
I wanted to find out if we have any recourse now that the house is ours.
Broderick, the realtor I spoke to, confirmed this.
Who is responsible for undisclosed problemswith a home changes by state.
Either way, your options are largely limited to legal action after the sale closes.
