Patterson Schwartz Realty and Reliable Home Inspections
Complaint 104291 Details

I purchased a townhouse 4 yrs ago. When inspecting the basement which was semi finished I asked the realtor if there was a sump pump. The basement was carpeted. She said there didn't seem to be since we did not see one. I inquired as to black stuff on the raw part of the basement in the laundry room. She said it was just a little mold and the seller would take care of it. Then I inquired as to a "light brown spot" on the finshed wall near the bottom. I was told it was probably just from the seller's cat laying against the wall but she would have the seller fix it. The realtor provided the inspection company who inspected the house. When I did my walk through the realtor pointed out the the bottom half of the wall was replaced and repainted. I was never told if there was anything found. I did however inquire about water and was told that if they didn't have a sump pump there wasn't any water. Two months ago I found a huge black spot on the bottom part of the finished wall in the basement. Needless to say I had 4 reputable wet basement companys come in. I was told it was a severe mold and could not use basement until remediated. I had the bottom walls opened up to reveal severe wood rot, and found the previous owner knew she had water because she painted one wall with white waterproofing paint and stuffed plastic in the wall which was creating more condensation. Each waterproofing company said this was years in the happening. It could not have happened in four years. I have had to install an entire waterproofing system throughout the basement. Lo and behold under the carpeting was a sump pump that had been cemented closed. I now am living in a royal mess, with everything displaced in my basement. I have to hire someone to rebuild my walls when the walls dry out from the new system. I have to hire someone to relay carpeting down. This has been emotionally and physically draining. I do not know what action I can take. I am upset I was lied to by the parties involved.