Metuchen Flooding & MOLD! (buying a home, buying, tile)

[Edukatd]

Does anyone have experience buying a home in Metuchen since Hurricane Irene (August 2011)? The hurricane caused flooding and power outages lasting several days. It seems many homes with finished basements had flooding. Homeowners squeeged water off the floor, but the walls (sheetrock and insulation) absorbed the water which festered into MOLD.

A recent seller in the Village Gate complex is trying to sell with hidden mold. Seller filled out NOTHING on the initial "Seller's Disclosure". After notification to seller and sellers' agent, a new seller's disclosure was offered with ONLY disclosure of the hurricane - NOT of any damage or mold.

Any experiences would be appreciated?

[PeterPickle]

Originally Posted by Edukatd

Does anyone have experience buying a home in Metuchen since Hurricane Irene (August 2011)? The hurricane caused flooding and power outages lasting several days. It seems many homes with finished basements had flooding. Homeowners squeeged water off the floor, but the walls (sheetrock and insulation) absorbed the water which festered into MOLD.

A recent seller in the Village Gate complex is trying to sell with hidden mold. Seller filled out NOTHING on the initial "Seller's Disclosure". After notification to seller and sellers' agent, a new seller's disclosure was offered with ONLY disclosure of the hurricane - NOT of any damage or mold.

Any experiences would be appreciated?

Once u got mould u got to disclose and inform to everyone thats the law. Depending on size of mouldings u could end up spending up to $10K cleaning it up if it needs specialise equipment such as positive pressure. Only way to consider such a deal is first speak with w guy who handles moulding and he can tell u estimate. Add 20% contingency - that give u it. Fortunate thing is once u rebated it then u dont need to inform everyone anymore in future its a done deal.

[Edukatd]

Village Gate seller has now changed the Seller's Disclosure. Previously nothing was filled out. After receiving two offers noting the presence of mold, Seller provided a new disclosure noting only that there had been a hurrricane and some flooding but that the association had installed exterior drain tile to prevent further flooding. What does an exterior drain have to do with interior flooding? How will an exterior drain prevent power failure and sump pump failure?

[manderly6]

Is this a house you are trying to buy?

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by Edukatd

Seller provided a new disclosure noting only that there had been a hurrricane and some flooding but that the association had installed exterior drain tile to prevent further flooding. What does an exterior drain have to do with interior flooding?

If you're on a hill and the water is coming into your house because it's flowing down the hill, exterior drain tile on that side of the house can help solve that by routing the water around the house. This I know because I just spent $$$$ replacing the drainage on the uphill side of my house (fortunately my garage)

If it's rising waters, you're out of luck.