Senior couple should consult local nonprofit housing group

Q: We moved out of our home because we could not afford it. We moved to a one-bedroom apartment. The bank has been informed. We have mailed to the bank copies of our taxes, which we did not pay. They really don’t keep in touch with us to let us know what is going on with our home. We do not know what else is expected of us. We do carry fire insurance on the home. My husband and I live on our Social Security. Our son and daughter live in the home. They would like to buy the home and make payments. Please advise. Thank you. — V., to edithlank@aol.com.

A: If Social Security payments are your only income, I have to wonder how you managed to qualify for those loans. It would help to have a few facts — where the house is located, how much you owe, what your kids’ incomes and credit are like and whether foreclosure has been started.

If you want to send me your mailing address, I’ll find contact information for the nearest nonprofit housing counseling agency in your area. Your best bet is to discuss this with them.
Perfect for Small Claims

Q: In January, we bought a house that was built in 1993. We had interior renovations done before moving in (painting, floor coverings, cabinets). When the plumbers set new toilets they would not flush. They found roots in the sewer line and thought they cleared them.

We finally moved in April 20, and noticed after running the washer that nothing flushed again. The plumber ran a camera and found multiple heavy roots and two breaks in the sewer line. We had to replace the sewer line from house to street at a cost of $3,750.

One neighbor told us the previous owner had sewer problems about two years ago. Then the house was on the market for about a year. Should we go back to the Realtor or the seller about this? We purchased “as is” but the agent had a statement with checkoffs showing “no sewer problems” — H.M. via askedith.com.

A: “As is” means you accept any problems you know about. It doesn’t relieve the seller of responsibility for defects that weren’t disclosed. What you must prove is that the seller knew about them.

The amount of money involved is right for small claims court, where you can act for yourselves at little cost. It’s the sellers you want to sue. It will be up to you to show they deliberately lied when they said there were no sewer problems. Perhaps you can get a useful statement from the neighbor or from the plumbers who may have been contacted two years ago. At the least, you’ll have the satisfaction of hearing what a judge rules.

Edith Lank will respond personally to any question sent to www.askedith.com.