This is my sad tale - I purchased a home marketed as "Tastefully renovated, and updated 3 bedroom, ranch.... One level living with a large modern kitchen, Gorgeous hardwood floors through-out, High end Tile, Cabinets, Granite... New high efficiency gas HVAC for perfect home climate... Enjoy entertaining in this pristine revival."
I wasn't able to move in when I wanted to last summer as the A/C wasn't cooling the home. I learned after multiple texts to the HVAC installer he'd left the system inoperable because he feared he wouldn't be paid.
As the water drained following my third shower in my home - the toilet flushed. Plumbers snaked the main and laundry drain finding construction debris as well as rust clogging the lines. Less than a week later I'd found and had a consultant/trouble shooter here - I was uneasy about the home.
I have since learned virtually everything to do with the HVAC system is wrong. Exhaust vented below the snow line - people could have died in this house. Exterior doors weren't properly sized or installed - neither sealed or were actually closed even when locked. Thresholds, twice as high as code allows presenting a trip hazard. The sump pump emptied adjacent to the foundation - water poured back into the basement flooding it with over 6" of water. The roof of the garage was likely to come down with a snow load. The electrical system has been tripping breakers. Most dramatic, as a plumber was working in the basement correcting the furnace vent, the brick underside of the fireplace hearth came crashing down. The new roof has to be stripped and redone as no shingle is nailed correctly. A kitchen cabinet is hung upside down. The tile work in the bathroom has cracked. Unfortunately the list goes on.
Several letters have been sent to the seller's attorney. The seller, his attorney and contractor, my attorney and contractors I wanted to remedy the situation met in my home in early November. Afterwards it was proposed by the seller that his contractor would bring in a crew and knock out the "to do list" in half a day. I couldn't accept the offer. My attorney's letter enumerated my out of pocket expenses and the work yet to be corrected. We've gotten no response although the seller's attorney had said they want to avoid litigation.
I hired a contractor to make my home safe. The work has taken 5 1/2 weeks and as it progressed it was evident that the negligence of the original contractor couldn't have been anticipated. The HVAC system took two and at one point a third techs 3 days to correct.
I believed I bought a home that was move in ready. I'm a senior, with limited income and means. I cannot afford the renovations that had to be done to my home and more work remains.
The seller has "flipped" other homes and he indicated the contractors who worked on my home were workmanlike on other projects. I hope the families who bought his other renovations have homes that are safe.
The seller (removed his name) he now holds a construction supervisor license. If his LinkedIn profile is to be believed his background is in event planning and several other forays as an entrepreneur in similar venues. My guess is he's continuing to flip other homes.
I have also, although only fairly recently, learned that the Building Department, the Commissioner in particular, was remiss. The home was sold at auction from the City of Leominster and slated for renovation. I would expect that a distressed property would be a high priority on the Building Departments radar. It wasn't yet their mission statement is "to ensure the public's safety through proper construction oversight .."and I've suffered.
I have photos documenting all that has gone on here.
I've written a 93A letter to _____ who in response is taking no responsibility for his negligence.
Barbara
