Question:

Sir, I'm in a pickle that I don't understand how to fix. So you know I am a 100% DAV.   1st, this is my first house, let alone a NEW house using my VA. online through a VA approved mortgage lender. As it turns out I was sold a lemon. Hell I was sent pics of 3 different houses. I was lied to about almost everything. When I got here it wasn't even one of the pictures of the house I was sent it was completely different. Now I'm in a house I hate, even the location. I did contact the proper department with the VA, however, the VA didn't make the contractor do anything. Now I have a pitted driveway because the sub-contractor poured concrete in the snow and didn't cover it. There is a dip right in front of the stoop that has accumulated up to 5" of ice and I have slipped and fallen several times. VA doesn't care. I have a 6' crack in my garage, nails throughout the house, literally in every room to include the ceilings. My paint warranty was cancelled because I asked the painters to use my paint, stain resistant, mold resistant. I bought and paid for it and they voided my warranty? Come oooon! There are several more issues that I have to come out of pocket for and the realtor has gotten away with this. Now I’m in a brand new money pit! I want to get out but have no clue what to do. I can’t afford to hire a lawyer on my VA disability. Am I stuck?

Jim's Reply:

When we buy a home, whether we are veteran or civilian, the burden is on us to do our due diligence and be sure we aren't being taken advantage of. The VA and the mortgage lender each will ask for inspections and so on but in the end, it's on us as the buyer to check all the details. VA won't touch this, it simply isn't their responsibility. VA provides a guarantee to the lender that you'll pay and that's the end of VA responsibility. You need a lawyer or some sort of legal aid...there's no other real choice.

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