Couple finds secret moldy room

[deanws]

I just can't believe they left a note in there, that's so weird! Plus, they obviously can't deny knowledge now!

That would just creep me out...

Wonder if they meant...you found the secret room...not the mold!?!?!?

 

[hipmamajen]

It sounded like the letter stated that that's why the family had moved, but maybe I read that wrong?

 

[Nova]

They would certainly be sued, no doubt about that. They would have to prove themselves in court and could ultimately prevail.

I found one site that suggested it was pretty common to sue realtors over non-disclosure, but there was no word on whether such claims prevail. I'm sure the buyer's attorney will argue "knew or should have known."

 

[southcitymom]

Man, I want to find a secret room...... - but without the mold!

 

[Hopeful One]

Man, I want to find a secret room...... - but without the mold!

Me too!!! I think that would be SO cool!! My dad lived in a very old farmhouse when we were growing up and we always search for a secret room. If I had enough money to build my dream house, I would build a secret room in it. Too cool!!

As for the mold, I think the previous owner should be held liable. I'm sure the realtor didn't know about it.

 

[southcitymom]

Me too!!! I think that would be SO cool!! My dad lived in a very old farmhouse when we were growing up and we always search for a secret room. If I had enough money to build my dream house, I would build a secret room in it. Too cool!!

As for the mold, I think the previous owner should be held liable. I'm sure the realtor didn't know about it.

Wouldn't it?!! Especially behind a bookcase - that would just be too sexy for words. Oh well.....maybe one day.

 

[Autumn2004]

Yuck! I hope the owners are held liable. Black mold can cause so many developmental and health problems.

Speaking of secret rooms, my friend growing up lived in a house built in the late 1800's they had a tiny secret room and a circular stairway that went into the kitchen through a door in the back of her closet. It was the maid's room. The room was about the size of a walk in closet.

 

[Pandora]

I just can't believe anyone would be so cheeky as to leave a note.

My great uncle Earl grew up in a house that was built during the 1700's. We helped him "empty" it several years ago for sale and found all sorts of goodies. We did not, however, find the secret room. That was found by the new owners during renovations. It, too, was under the stairs behind a built in bookcase. It had a chair, small bed, and desk. Indications were that it was built as a safe room against Indian attack and it hadn't been used/entered since the early 1800's. They decided to leave it intact. I'll always regret that we didn't find it ourselves.

 

[txsvicki]

I imagine the realtor has to somehow be involved or that it is at least on the advise of an attorney. My old neighbor has a similar issue with a house she bought and her attorney says that she will even have to involve herself in the suit. I didn't quite understand that, but to do whatever it takes to get it fixed or money back is the main thing.

 

[JBean]

I found one site that suggested it was pretty common to sue realtors over non-disclosure, but there was no word on whether such claims prevail. I'm sure the buyer's attorney will argue "knew or should have known."

Probably would just settle with the broker's E&O insurance.

 

[Hopeful One]

My great uncle Earl grew up in a house that was built during the 1700's. We helped him "empty" it several years ago for sale and found all sorts of goodies. We did not, however, find the secret room. That was found by the new owners during renovations. It, too, was under the stairs behind a built in bookcase. It had a chair, small bed, and desk. Indications were that it was built as a safe room against Indian attack and it hadn't been used/entered since the early 1800's. They decided to leave it intact. I'll always regret that we didn't find it ourselves.

That is the coolest thing I've ever heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[southcitymom]

I just can't believe anyone would be so cheeky as to leave a note.

My great uncle Earl grew up in a house that was built during the 1700's. We helped him "empty" it several years ago for sale and found all sorts of goodies. We did not, however, find the secret room. That was found by the new owners during renovations. It, too, was under the stairs behind a built in bookcase. It had a chair, small bed, and desk. Indications were that it was built as a safe room against Indian attack and it hadn't been used/entered since the early 1800's. They decided to leave it intact. I'll always regret that we didn't find it ourselves.

I just get more and more depressed every time I read a new post on this thread....the only thing under the stairs in my house is a stupid little closest that everyone knows about.

If I had a secret room, I would totally leave a cheeky note!!!! And if anyone ever found my note, I would teach them my secret handshake.

 

[IdahoMom]

I imagine the realtor has to somehow be involved or that it is at least on the advise of an attorney. My old neighbor has a similar issue with a house she bought and her attorney says that she will even have to involve herself in the suit. I didn't quite understand that, but to do whatever it takes to get it fixed or money back is the main thing.

Usually, everyone in the income stream gets named.

 

[OneLostGrl]

I just get more and more depressed every time I read a new post on this thread....the only thing under the stairs in my house is a stupid little closest that everyone knows about.

If I had a secret room, I would totally leave a cheeky note!!!! And if anyone ever found my note, I would teach them my secret handshake.

Here I was all set to comment on your "too sexy for words" post and then I read this post and the mood was lost when I suddenly found myself laughing out loud! Ya dork LOL

Anyway-

I think finding a secret room behind a bookshelf would be so friggin' cool, especially if there were some old books and/or letters in there. I think I'd have to pretend I got a job outside of the home, redecorate and then make it my new secret reading (living?! ) room!

 

[IdahoMom]

Here I was all set to comment on your "too sexy for words" post and then I read this post and the mood was lost when I suddenly found myself laughing out loud! Ya dork LOL

Anyway-

I think finding a secret room behind a bookshelf would be so friggin' cool, especially if there were some old books and/or letters in there. I think I'd have to pretend I got a job outside of the home, redecorate and then make it my new secret reading (living?! ) room!

I agree! It sounds like something out of the Nancy Drew books I used to read.

 

[southcitymom]

Here I was all set to comment on your "too sexy for words" post and then I read this post and the mood was lost when I suddenly found myself laughing out loud! Ya dork LOL

Anyway-

I think finding a secret room behind a bookshelf would be so friggin' cool, especially if there were some old books and/or letters in there. I think I'd have to pretend I got a job outside of the home, redecorate and then make it my new secret reading (living?! ) room!

Guilty as charged!!:dance:

I'd sneak away to it whenever I wanted to hide from DH and kids and when I returned and they asked me where I'd been, I'd say "Narnia or Hogwarts or Jupiter or whatever" and no one would be able proove otherwise. I already live in my own parallel universe sometimes - it'd just be fun to have a secret room attached to it!

I wouldn't sue anyone, but would hire mold removal experts to come take care of things while my family was out of the house and I would make the workmen sign confidentiality agreements not to ever mention one word about the room!

 

[OneLostGrl]

Guilty as charged!!:dance:

I'd sneak away to it whenever I wanted to hide from DH and kids and when I returned and they asked me where I'd been, I'd say "Narnia or Hogwarts or Jupiter or whatever" and no one would be able proove otherwise. I already live in my own parallel universe sometimes - it'd just be fun to have a secret room attached to it!

I wouldn't sue anyone, but would hire mold removal experts to come take care of things while my family was out of the house and I would make the workmen sign confidentiality agreements not to ever mention one word about the room!

mmhmm. It would be my "me" place. The only one who would even know about it is Casey (my dog).

I could use a secret place to go to tonight, except I need to be locked IN there! My FIL fell in the bank parking lot today and broke his arm and screwed up his rotator cuff. He banged himself up pretty badly. On top of my worry for him, he came home with an RX of Dilaudid and I can't stop thinking about sneaking me one. :bang:

 

[Nova]

Probably would just settle with the broker's E&O insurance.

Which is very easy to do if you're willing to settle for less than the cost of mounting a defense.

This is the sort of thing I was trying to suggest at the beginning of the thread. As you know, culpability according to common sense isn't the same thing as liability under the law or the ability to coerce a settlement.

 

[ISPTRAX]

JMO, but I really don't see anyone doing that (leaving the note) so blatantly if it had to do with finding the mold. It was a "secret" room, for heaven's sake. Makes sense someone did it long ago because the room was secret. If the previous owner was so blatant, the note would have said "Good luck with the MOLD!". I think the current owner that found it should be counting their blessings that FM gave them $75k for the house and got them out of their own mistake -- i.e. not having a mold test as part of their inspection.

 

[southcitymom]

mmhmm. It would be my "me" place. The only one who would even know about it is Casey (my dog).

I could use a secret place to go to tonight, except I need to be locked IN there! My FIL fell in the bank parking lot today and broke his arm and screwed up his rotator cuff. He banged himself up pretty badly. On top of my worry for him, he came home with an RX of Dilaudid and I can't stop thinking about sneaking me one. :bang:

Yikes!! :blowkiss: You know I hear you loud and clear - I will hold you in my highest prayers, as always!!