GRETNA – A couple who purchased a Chalmette home are suing the real estate company that handled the sale, the inspector who made the repurchase inspection and the home’s former owners for allegedly not disclosing several problems with the property that have resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
Gary and Shirley Feldhaus filed suit against Nadih Ghanian Thabata, Raed Thabata, Amanda Miller Realty LLC, Slidell Group LLC, Amanda Miller, Kristy Franatovich, House Call Home Inspections LLC and Eddie Miller in the 24th Judicial District Court on Nov. 25, 2014.
The Feldhauses contend they hired Franatovich to assist them in purchasing a home located at 3720 Charles Drive in Chalmette from the Thabatas for the price of $155,000. The plaintiffs assert that only after the purchase did they find Franatovich was employed by Amanda Miller, who was the listing agent, and thus Amanda Miller Realty represented both sides of the sale.
The Feldhauses claim that on Aug. 7, 2014 they contracted with Eddie Miller of House Call Home Inspections LLC to inspect the premises for deficiencies and defects and that he stated in his report that the roofing was passable despite him observing damage to the roof including missing shingles, exposed fasteners and other problems. The plaintiffs allege that at no time did Eddie Miller tell them there was water intrusion in the attic decking and rafters or about other deficiencies including with the sewer lines that he failed to inspect at all. Still the plaintiffs assert that the inspection revealed 19 items to be repaired before the sale.
The Feldhauses contend that both their the real estate agent Franatovich and the seller’s agent Amanda Miller failed to properly provide them with property disclosures and most importantly did not divulge that the property had been significantly renovated after being previously flooded. The plaintiffs claim they were coerced into delaying a final walk through on the property until the morning of the sale, Aug. 29, 2014, and that only after the property was transferred did they find several of items revealed on the inspection list that were in need or repair had not been repaired in addition to more important problems with the property.
The suit also claims that on Aug. 30, 2014, the day after they took ownership of the property, the sewer lines backed up into a tub and toilet in the master bedroom. The plaintiffs contend when they called a plumber to the home he found the sewer lines were blocked, collapsed and broken and 45 feet of sewer lines would have to be replaced at a cost of $17,000. In addition, it cost them $13,000 to repair 10 items identified on Eddie Miller’s inspection list that were in need to repair and that five roof rafters were replaced at a cost of $8,000 after being found defective and that an irrigation problem was identified in the yard that required an excavation and repair costing $10,000.
The Feldhauses also assert that there was mold in the home that had not been identified and had to remediated.
The Feldhauses contend are represented by Matthew G. Greig of New Orleans-based Didrikson Law Firm.
The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.
Case no. 744-606.