Discovering termite damage in your new home is one of the most discouraging events for a homeowner. You may have spent months researching the perfect home for you and your family only to be deceived a dishonest home seller. Fortunately, there are laws to protect homeowners against parties that would sell a home that they know is being destroyed by termites. If you or a family member purchased a home that was infested with termites, you should consult with an experienced Maryland termite infestation attorney today.
At Whitney, LLP, our attorneys understand the frustration of moving your family into a home that is unsafe due to the existence of termites. Repairing a home that has a serious termite problem can cost a person thousands of dollars. The misrepresentations of a home seller should not leave you with the responsibility of repairing your new home. To schedule a consultation to discuss your case, call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000.
How to Identify a Termite Infestation
When purchasing a home, it is important to thoroughly inspect the property for defects. A termite infestation is one issue that can cause you various problems depending on the prevalence of the infestation.
There are various signs of termite damage that you can search for when examining a home before buying it. For example, if you notice that the wood flooring inside a home has blisters that resemble water damage, this may be a sign of termites. However, it is possible that wood blisters on a floor were caused by water, but there are other signs of termite damage to search for.
Hollowed Wood
Termites like to burrow inside of wooden structures in order to eat wood from the inside out. This makes it difficult to discover the presence of termites until they start to cause damage in a home. If you notice that the wooden beams in a home sound hollow or appear to have unexplained grooves, this could mean that termites have infested the property.
Discarded Termite Wings
As termites advance through their various life stages, they like to discard their wings close to windows, doors, and other access points into the home. If you find termite wings in any of these areas, it means that the termites are beginning to mate and spread across the home.
Mud Tubes and Droppings
Termites thrive in controlled temperatures. As a result, these insects will build pencil-sized tubes around sources of food so that they can travel through a home. If you discover a mud tube and small mounds of excrement that resembles wood, you should reconsider purchasing the home.
It is not easy to discover signs of a termite infestation. That is why it is important to consider hiring a home inspector that you trust to search a property for termites and any other defects. A fraudulent home seller may try to hide the existence of termites by suggesting that the home has already been inspected or by failing to disclose certain defects.
To learn more about what to do about a termite infestation, you should speak with an experienced Baltimore termite damage lawyer.
When to Sue a Dishonest Home Seller for Termite Damage
Maryland requires a home seller to disclose the existence of a material defect. A material defect is a problem with the property that may be hazardous to the homeowner’s safety or health. This also includes issues that may require a substantial number of repairs.
If it is determined that a home seller concealed a material defect or falsified a home inspection, you can sue that individual for fraud. It is important to note that you only have a limited amount of time to sue a dishonest home seller for fraud.
Specifically, a lawsuit for fraud must be filed within three years in Maryland. If you do not file within the three-year timeframe, you risk having the court bar your claim. Fortunately, it may be possible to delay your filing deadline depending on the circumstances of your case. Despite the three-year filing deadline, it is wise to file your fraud lawsuit as soon as possible to avoid any complications with your case.
Our Maryland Termite Damage Lawyers Can Help You File a Fraud Lawsuit
If you or a family member was deceived a fraudulent home seller, you should contact an experienced Baltimore termite damage lawyer today. The fraud lawyers at Whitney, LLP possess decades of legal experience litigating a variety of termite infestation cases, and we would be proud to use that knowledge to represent you. Owning a home is a great accomplishment that should not be spoiled due to the actions of a deceptive home seller. To schedule a consultation to discuss your case, call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000.