Rihanna sues over water woes at mansion

It just goes to show you that just because a house is expensive it is not built by people of any higher caliber of workmanship.  As a construction inspector, I have seen some pretty terrible workmanship in high priced homes whereas I have seen some fine workmanship in inexpensive homes.  It all depends on the craft people and the inspectors.  Most city inspectors are not truly qualified to inspect having just taken a couple of classes on inspection.  In addition, there are also a lot of engineers that miss a few details in their designs.  There also are craft that if they see something that is not quilte right, they don't question the design as they should.  There is plenty of blame to go around.  I did an inspection for a home I was interested in buying and produced a 2 page list of issues.  The owner didn't even respond to my list and the realtor never called us back.  We are now happy in another home in the neighborhood that did pass inspection.

Before making an offer it "PAYS" literally to go back at night and ask the neighbors about the house you are looking at.  In my development in Clifton Park, New York , there are two houses side by side that had plumbing trucks at the houses daily for six months to a year.  On top of that each homeowner had to move out of the house , one for over a year.  The reason is because all the sewage backed up in their basements due to the original contractor failing to properly make the sewage flow to the publ;ic sewer system.  They had to rebuild their baesments which was filled with "you know what".  They keep the windows open everyday now but the smell is never going to leave their houses.  Who wants to get stuck with a house that smells like sewage?  One of the houses had changed hands three times.  So thats a good indicator of a "problem house".  Its hard to feel sorry for these homeowners since they are not very nice people and are the kind who are stuck-up and always like to call 911 to complain about us when we do not bother with any neighbors.  Buyers beware, home inspectors know little or nothing about what their job is supposed to be.   They will sign off on anything to take your money.  Its best to look at the history of a house and see how often has it changed hands.  Thats a "RED FLAG".  The next red flag is how often are plumbing trucks at the house and the neighbors will know that.  So be bold and ask themabout a particular house.   Another dead giveaway is when fresh baked bread is being made while you are looking at the house or candles burning to hide bad smells.   Its always been a 'TRUEISM"  you can stop drafts, heat, cold, wind, snow, but you can't stop "WATER".     Water is always going to find its way in to a house.  Another sign is the house is overpriced, they are trying to recoup all the money spent on plumbers and trying to get rid of the smells and rebuilding they had to do.   A word to the wise never buy a house in a low area or on a flood plain of a river or creek.  I can guarantee you there is going to be flooding after you buy such a house.

Rihanna can afford to sue. Ordinary people cannot. So Rihanna will get her money back, but this case will not help ordinary Americans, in the same situation.

In So Cal most roof problems don't show up until a rain.  The roof will look perfect in every way until then.  Should REALTOR's and Home Inspectors hold up the sale of a property until a heavy rain to verify the roof is good?  I do hope none of you hurt yourself in jumping to conclusions of guilt.  If something was falsified or someone was paid off to look the other way then someone should pay. On the subject of comps to the property.  It is difficult to find comps for multi-million $$ homes built as a one of a kind structure with a one of a kind view.  However, this is the US and it is the American way to blame someone else for our own failures.  Maybe she should have shopped around a bit more instead of rushing into the first home she looked at.

Due Diligence on the Buyer part.

Good for her. Most people don't have the resources to do anything about this type of scam and that is what it was, a scam. They are all in collusion and should be sued and made to pay for it.

 

Just because she can afford this home does not mean she be penalized for their obvious dishonesty. You go girl!

Because Rihanna is famous, I hope her voice is successfully heard.  I too purchased a home that had a useless home warranty.  These warranties are a farse !  They trip charge you and never find any problems they'll fix.

The inspectors are just as guilty.  Had I not been an out of state buyer I would have inspected it myself.  You'd do just as well, as my inspector found nothing wrong in a house with some defects.

They arent minimum wage workers. So why cant they do a decent job ?

Good luck Rihanna.  SSet a presidence.

Well it is unfortunate and I wish her all the luck  in the world. However why is it that the people with money can sue but the average Joe can not? We purchased out first home in 2004 and after we find many problems along with the leaking roof the inspector  failed to see. Anyway we have made at least 12 calls to different organizations along with the inspector and real estate and many others but we were told it was our problem. So once again how can she sue and we not we are supposed to be all equal here. This is one of the many things wrong with this crappy country,  the people in it.