Home Defects and Damage
Whether new or old, houses are complex systems that sometimes deliver unpleasant surprises -- a leaking roof or windows, a cracked foundation, substandard wiring, and so on. Learn what you can do—or where and how you can seek compensation—after a defect comes to light.
Common Sources of Trouble
Common Sources of Trouble
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Termites, Rats, and Other Common Pests Homeowners Should Watch For
Don't lose the value of your real estate investment to small critters!
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Trouble Signs Indicating Poor Home Construction
Even newly built homes are rarely perfect.
Taking Action Against the Party Responsible for Home Defects
Taking Action Against the Party Responsible for Home Defects
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Home Defects: Sue the Seller, Agent, or Property Inspector?
Do you have a claim, what evidence will you need to prove it, and what damages might you be awarded?
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New-Home Defects: Holding Your Builder Responsible Under a Warranty
Construction defects are a common issue with newly built homes. Here's what to do.
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Home Defects: How to Get Repairs or Compensation Without Suing
What if something was wrong with the property at the time you bought it, and someone—the seller, the seller's agent, or the inspector—could or should have told you about it but didn't? Try approaches such as a demand letter or mediation before rushing to court.
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Suing a Bankrupt Home Builder for Construction Defects
How do you get money out of a home contractor or builder who has none?
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Who Can I Sue for New-Home Defects: Architect, Contractors, or Only the Developer?
If your contract is solely with the developer, that might be the only party you can sue for home defects, but that's not the end of the story.
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Can I Sue My Home Inspector for Defects Left Out of the Report?
As a homeowner, do you have any chance of recovery from your home inspector to cover the cost of repairs for defects the inspector didn't warn you of?
Questions About Taking Action Against the Party Responsible for Home Defects
Questions About Taking Action Against the Party Responsible for Home Defects
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Can You Take a Theft Deduction for Building Contractor Fraud?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated personal casualty and theft losses except for those related to a presidentially declared disaster.
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Is It Too Late to Sue My Home Builder for Construction Defects I Found Years Later?
If you didn't discover the home builder's faulty work until years later, you might still be able to sue, depending on your state's statute of limitations and statute of repose (if any) on construction-defect lawsuits.
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Can I Sue Home Seller Who Didn't Disclose Death on Property?
How much information a real estate seller legally needs to provide about past deaths on the property.
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Homeowners' Insurance: Got Enough Coverage?
Determine whether you have enough homeowners' insurance to meet your needs in the event of damage or an injury on your property.
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Slip and Fall Accidents: Insurance Coverages and How to Make a Claim
Learn about the kinds of homeowners’ coverage that might be available to cover your slip and fall claim, and how to make a claim with the homeowners’ insurance company.
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