The aftermath of the foreclosure crisis finds banks and ultimately the owners of properties Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac dumping their properties onto unsuspecting purchasers at an unprecedented pace.
And one of the consequences of them dumping all these properties…properties that were often neglected or abandoned for years before sale is that those properties are in an awful condition…and there may be downright dangerous conditions in the homes.
But unlike other sellers that have an obligation to check the condition of property and to disclose defects, (remember the Tampa Couple that is in federal prison for concealing sinkhole damage) Fannie and Freddie both disclaim any responsibility to advise purchasers and sometimes even slip provisions into contracts that a buyer raising such claims against Fannie or Freddie can be subject to a lawsuit from Fannie and Freddie.
(The lesson is simple….retain a qualified attorney before purchasing.)
BUYER BEWARE!
Here is an example of one such provision:
CONDITION OF PROPERTY: THE PURCHASER UNDERSTANDS THAT THE SELLER ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY BY FORECLOSURE, DEED-IN-LIEU OF FORECLOSURE, FORFEITURE, TAX SALE, OR SIMILAR PROCESS. AS A MATERIAL PART OF THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY THE SELLER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AS NEGOTIATED AND AGREED TO BY THE PURCHASER AND THE SELLER, THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES TO ACCEPT THE PROPERTY IN “AS IS” CONDITION AT THE TIME OF CLOSING, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DEFECTS OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE PROPERTY, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, WHETHER SUCH DEFECTS OR CONDITIONS WERE DISCOVERABLE THROUGH INSPECTION OR NOT. THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SELLER, ITS AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES HAVE NOT MADE AND THE SELLER SPECIFICALLY NEGATES AND DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, PROMISES, COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS OR GUARANTEES, IMPLIED OR EXPRESS, ORAL OR WRITTEN WITH RESPECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
(A) THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OR ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE PROPERTY INCLUDING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OR THE QUALITY OR CHARACTER OF MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION OF ANY IMPROVEMENTS (E.G. DRYWALL, ASBESTOS, LEAD PAINT, UREA FORMALDEHYDE FOAM INSULATION), AVAILABILITY AND QUANTITY OR QUALITY OF
WATER, STABILITY OF THE SOIL, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO LANDSLIDE OR FLOODING, SUFFICIENCY OF DRAINAGE, WATER LEAKS, WATER DAMAGE, MOLD OR ANY OTHER MATTER AFFECTING THE STABILITY, INTEGRITY, OR CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY OR IMPROVEMENTS;
(B) THE CONFORMITY OF THE PROPERTY, OR THE IMPROVEMENTS, TO ANY ZONING, LAND USE OR BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS OR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY LAWS, RULES, ORDINANCES OR REGULATIONS OF ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY, OR THE GRANTING OF ANY REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS, IF ANY, OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODIES WHICH HAD JURISDICTION OVER THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE, ANY IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR ANY REMODELING OF THE STRUCTURE; AND
(C) THE HABITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, MARKETABILITY, PROFITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE PROPERTY OR IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING REDHIBITORY VICES AND DEFECTS, APPARENT, NON APPARENT OR LATENT, WHICH NOW EXIST OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER EXIST AND WHICH, IF KNOWN TO THE PURCHASER, WOULD CAUSE THE PURCHASER TO REFUSE TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY.Mold, mildew, spores and/or other microscopic organisms and/or allergens (collectively referred to in this Agreement as “Mold”) are environmental conditions that are common in residential properties and may affect the Property. Mold, in some forms, has been reported to be toxic and to cause serious physical injuries, including but not limited to, allergic and/or respiratory reactions or other problems, particularly in persons with immune system problems, young children and/or elderly persons. Mold has also been reported to cause extensive damage to personal and real property. Mold may have been removed or covered in the course of any cleaning or repairing of the Property. The Purchaser acknowledges that, if Seller, or any of Seller’s employees, contractors, or agents cleaned or repaired the Property or remediated Mold contamination, that Seller does not in any way warrant the cleaning, repairs or remediation. Purchaser accepts full responsibility for all hazards that may result from the presence of Mold in or around the Property. The Purchaser is satisfied with the condition of the Property notwithstanding the past or present existence of Mold in or around the Property and Purchaser has not, in any way, relied upon any representations of Seller, Seller’s employees, officers, directors, contractors, or agents concerning the past or present existence of Mold in or around the Property.
If at any time the Property conditions result in violations of building code or other laws or regulations, either party shall have the right to terminate the Agreement at any time prior to closing. If there is an enforcement proceeding arising from allegations of such violations before an enforcement board, special master, court or similar enforcement body, and neither the Purchaser nor the Seller terminate this Agreement, the Purchaser agrees (a) to accept the Property subject to the violations, (b) to be responsible for compliance with the applicable code and with orders issued in any code enforcement proceeding and (c) to resolve the deficiencies as soon as possible after the closing. The Purchaser agrees to execute any and all documents necessary or required for closing by any agency with jurisdiction over the Property. The Purchaser further agrees to indemnify the Seller from any and all claims or liability arising from the Purchaser’s breach of this Section 7 of this Addendum.
The closing of this sale shall constitute acknowledgement by the Purchaser that Purchaser had the opportunity to retain an independent, qualified professional to inspect the Property and that the condition of the Property is acceptable to the Purchaser. The Purchaser agrees that the Seller shall have no liability for any claims or losses the Purchaser or the Purchaser’s successors or assigns may incur as a result of construction or other defects which may now or hereafter exist with respect to the Property.
If you are looking to purchase a home, Contact WeidnerLaw. We have years of experience as Florida Real Estate Attorneys.
