Woman buys land from PennDOT to build house, then finds out previous owner sold it due to landslide

[@justlucky13]

Who approved the building plan and gave a permit to build???

[@thelbtlover]

Permits are just an extortion/scam used to milk citizens and increase tax revenue. They never prevent these kinds of issues and you'll never be able to hold them responsible for approving things that never should have been approved.

[@dubsounds]

All complicit. But, as the Selling Agent, I aint giving back my 6% commission

[@ronjohnson9032]

People with immunity.

[@frankocean9173]

@@dubsoundswhy would you

[@adamb89]

Republican-dominated legislature for ya. And it's only gonna get worse in the next four years. Bend over and bite the pillow boys and girls, they're going in DRY!

[@KameraShy]

If your contractor finds ruins from a previous structure, THAT is the time to start asking questions. NOT after the house is built.

[@evelyngolden2272]

Exactly.

[@mick58kc72]

I'd assume it was burned down or Rosie O'Donnell had used the toilet there or some other tragedy.

[@BestCat2EverLive]

I used to live on Connie Dr. and this happened because they built the 279 highway and used dirt instead of concrete to support the roadway. These people should sue PennDot, because they had a nice backyard before they ruined it with the sloppy way 279 was built...!

[@n3a7]

It sounds like she should be contacting her title insurance. It sounds like they failed to find the deficiencies listed on the previous deed

[@jamesborck5908]

The previous house was gone only foundation left the one who failed are the ones who approved her building permits

[@mrj-charles6383]

@@Plutogalaxy a good abstract company will uncover all issues with the property. I bought a home with issues took months to get it resolved before I paid for it. The is why you always insist on a warranty deed.

[@mrj-charles6383]

@@jamesborck5908 the land is useable if was not then why are homes on either side? Ignorance on the builders part for not suggesting building a retaining wall across the back of the property.

[@asvintageelectronics]

@@Plutogalaxy I used to work for a title company in Indiana. They most certainly would have flagged this as much as they would have encroachments, flood plains, etc.

[@dubsounds]

But, as the Selling Agent, I aint giving back my 6% commission

[@tallboyyyy]

It sounds to me as though PennDOT intended to condemn the property after they bought out the previous owner and then never did. After a bunch of years passed nobody remembered why they bought the land in the first place so put it up for sale. It sounds as though someone didn't do their job many years ago so nothing was added to the deed indicating the problem making a title search come up clean.

[@TomikaKelly]

So now my question is, what is the process/procedure to condemn a property? Even simply flagging the property in the system with a Potential Problem warning seems like it would've been a simple way to avoid this.

[@tonybloomfield5635]

Even today should the people at PennDOT not have, at least, asked themselves: "Why do we even own this?" before selling it?

[@HorriFied-s4n]

If they tore down the other house, that should have come up

[@willc5512]

Well penn d0t can just temporarily raise tolls (print 💸 ) & dig itself outta this landslide👈🏾😅

[@jaynecobb1]

PennDOT should buy the house and pay fair market value and NOT sell the lot again.

[@Djehoo]

😅eee yehha

[@HarryHafsak]

How is the buyers lack of due diligence pennDoTS fault?

[@ebayerr]

@@HarryHafsak *What makes you think due diligence wasn't done on the buyer's part?* *Huh* ? Where you involved in the buying process? *Where you?* *NO*

[@juliethompson8685]

​@@HarryHafsak PennDot? The very agency who condemned the propery in the first place, then sat on it for years??!! C'mon!!!!!

[@AJK967]

@@HarryHafsak, have you heard of seller’s disclosure laws? Title 68 of PA law requires sellers to disclose any material defect to a property. It is the sellers job.

[@asvintageelectronics]

Why didn't this come up with the title search?! It's clearly documented in the deeds? Should have been an absolute red flag!

[@SMDoktorPepper]

It wouldnt come up as the house was demolished.

[@VaporheadATC]

@@SMDoktorPepper The deed includes land.

[@SMDoktorPepper]

@@VaporheadATC but not land with nothing on it.

[@gchsbus]

@@SMDoktorPepper Incorrect. The title records would indicate that in the past, the taxes were much higher. Which would key in there that there was real property on the land at one time. Then any title company that gives a f*ck, who sees that, will dig deeper to know when a house was there, its size, and why it is no longer there.

[@dereckwilt39]

The fact that a previous house was demolished was pretty obvious even to the homeowner, though after she purchased it. The reason why it was demolished doesn't appear to have been recorded in the deeds though. If PENDOT had put a restriction/easement on the property saying the lot was unbuildable that probably would show at least in a detailed search. Presumably it's a case of the left hand not knowing what the right is doing, the engineering dept buying the land expecting PENDOT to hold the property forever and the land dept coming across it decades later and wondering "why do we own this random residential lot?" and selling it.

[@BoMwarriorVlog]

Thank you for showing good journalism. 👍

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

It's clearly PennDOT negligence. The property should have explicit notice to not be sold or to not have development on it. They did right by the previous owner. They need to do right by the new owner.

[@gchsbus]

No it is the homeowner's negligence. Get a clue

[@MrFugasi]

PennDOT sold property the size you put a house on for sub 20k. If this isn't enough warning then lord help us all. Also, that is a 12% grade behind her house, not 6%, but 12% or higher, you should expect that to shift or move.

[@Just_For_Kixz]

@@MrFugasiI’ve seen land with rundown (practically only good for demolition homes on them sell for under 20k… So why wouldn’t a empty lot sell for 20?!?

[@AJK967]

@@gchsbus, no, it is the sellers responsibility to disclose known faults with the property. This requirement is codified in PA law. They knew of the issue and did not disclose it.

[@AngelaEfferson]

​@@gchsbus How was it the home owner's fault? The land should not have been sold. That's why they bought it from the first owner In first place because of the landslides

[@Trenaway]

PennDOT is liable! They sold this property under false pretense! Hopefully she wins her case against them!

[@tayzonday]

This is a hot potato with many guilty parties and nobody wants to admit fault. The District Attorney should refer it to a grand jury to subpoena widely and investigate.

[@CM-sy3to]

That would cost way more than if Penndot simply buys her new house.

[@tayzonday]

@ True. It would save taxpayers to settle it as a civil matter and use grand juries for higher public benefit. But she’ll probably have to file suit to get that outcome and the state will try to blame private parties and vice versa, also a potentially prolonged mess.

[@GarrettMoriarty]

I love that I always find you Tay on seemingly random videos. I guess we have similar viewing habits lol.

[@TeethToothman]

Fancy seeing you here! I've only ever seen you on John Michael Godier videos and now you're here on a local Pittsburgh channel! Hope you're doing well!

[@aclstudios]

Was it a Chocolate Landslide?

[@eyeofthescar6890]

A piece of land surrounded by homes with nothing on it. Literally too good to be true.

[@adamhuffman3354]

Yea that’s a red flag

[@woopsserg]

I have an empty plot of land between mine and next neighbors house. Nothing wrong with that plot, homes around that are at least 15 years old. Once-twice a year someone arrives to cut the grass there.

[@OkieOtaku]

Not really. Could be anything. House could've caught fire and destroyed it, property sold. Anything could've happened to the house. Could've been owned by a neighboring property, and the owner is selling it because they don't want the extra land anymore, or even could've moved out of the property and selling both properties separately. Seen that happen too

[@asiamommi]

I would have asked the neighbors about the land before I bought it. Seems obvious there was a home there at some point.

[@JohnWickkkk]

@@woopssergwhat’s the address

[@paulehd]

Not one neighbor said anything to the builder or her as she looked around.

[@virginiamoss7045]

After 32 years most neighbors' homes have turned over to new owners.

[@terrybrooks272]

I'm not understanding how an entire neighborhood is sitting there.

[@Living_Despite]

But don't forget to pay your taxes.

[@kalijasin]

Right! LOL

[@michonorban]

Exactly! State, local, city, township...on & on & on...

[@MaekarManastorm]

Get a job

[@t23001]

Rock solid journalism. The best and lowest cost option for the state is to pay her market value for the home, pay for the sump pumps & repairs, and an allowance for her relocation costs.

[@terrybrooks272]

Perfect

[@lynncollver6067]

❤

[@trninfan]

Fair market value for her house is $0, though. No one can move in. She should get reimbursed for any costs incurred and that's it. She shouldn't profit

[@AngelaEfferson]

​@trninfan your right , She should be reimbursed for the money she paid for the land , reimburse for the money that it cost to build the house , and reimbursed for any money that cost her to fix the problem first time

[@RockPunkFloyd]

If that deed was recorded, why did the title company not find it? I'd look into their responsibility too.

[@tscoff]

PennDOT needs to make her whole. They need to buy that house off of her at fair market value and pay her the costs of moving.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

Wish this reporter would let the woman complete a sentence. He interrupts her every over moment. She's able to speak clearly.

[@thelaidbackguy1922]

The typical reporting blah,blah,blah .. sheesh let the woman speak her mind already... damn I was annoyed

[@FairNJust-ky4hu]

Big boss holding glasses in 60 minutes

[@samsmom1491]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one to notice.

[@lovedadonald.]

Yeah I was hoping he'd shut the hell up so I could hear her side of the story but the stuffed shirt chatty Cathy just couldn't stop interrupting the lady. I'm betting he's a ex used car salesman too !

[@neilkurzman4907]

Yes, what can she finish in the loud amount of time for the piece ?

[@redwarpy]

Terracing is more effective than a wall for goodness sake. It amazes me how DRAINAGE around housing is not a big thing in the USA.

[@JohnMurphy-dw6ml]

What about the houses on either side of the property?

[@mrj-charles6383]

News is not good on reporting all the facts. Just a propaganda piece to create hate towards the wrong people.

[@jazziez6467]

Thats what I was wondering about. Also she never had conversations with neighbors as to why the previous house on that lot was demolished

[@paulday4763]

With the time frame, I doubt that there's anyone left in the neighborhood that knows the whole back story of the vacant lot that was there when they moved in.

[@jazziez6467]

@@paulday4763 people talk, believe me they talk

[@internettroll7604]

Also my first question. Someone in the neighborhood would have known the history

[@okhondaguy3288]

What about her neighbors. Do they not have the same problem?

[@lbu9542]

Excellent point.

[@johnleca]

Not yet. lol

[@lindapindabelinda3570]

She needs a really good lawyer.

[@BohemianLifer]

The county needs to find a good lawyer.

[@BobbyDaniels-ck7jv]

What developer doesn’t look at the land maps and inspect the property first, a simple title search would have disclosed the potential issues. So many dropped the ball, who handed out the permits?

[@jonathanjones3126]

You mean like the developer in Hawaii who didn't a proper survey and built on someone else's land and sued the property owner when they wouldn't take their lowball offer

[@musicalchairs56]

Local municipalities are clueless. They hand out permits without caring too much. I'm fighting giant eagle right now and a local township for their sorry excuse of a stormwater system that floods out our yards every time it rains. They built a brand new GetGo and didn't listen whatsoever to those who lived next to it about the water on that particular lot and how they were going to control it. The township just acted like I was insane and all they cared about was appeasing Giant eagle.

[@Darci3333]

Bottom line....Penndot knew about it and should NEVER have sold it to her in the First Place....simple they were being crooks and EVIL.

[@neilkurzman4907]

@@jonathanjones3126 A lowball offer? The offer was for more than the value of the land. In the end, she said she would accept no monetary settlement. So your lowball comment doesn’t even apply. In the end, they demolished the house and removed it

[@jonathanjones3126]

@neilkurzman4907 it isn't up to the victim to appease a developer or government when they dont do their due diligence and harm anyone. The developer should have been forced to restore the land to its pristine condition at their expense. The developer lost because they screwed up.

[@bigdog1150]

Classic example of government's left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing

[@waynemiller6156]

Its PennDot with all their money some lawyers in Pittsburgh should take this on and make Penn Dot pay for all the fees and damage

[@smorris281]

The state did that??!! I have no words.

[@TomikaKelly]

You seem shocked that the state would do something like that. 😂

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

Unfortunately, that is not an isolated incident. Years ago in Schenectady NY the city sold a building to a business woman only for her to discover that it was a former toxic waste site and she was on the hook for millions in clean up costs.

[@GRB22]

Link? Couldn't find anything about this incident.

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

@ This was years ago. Try searching the Albany Time Union Archives. I believe that’s where I read it.

[@KennieBby]

@@CharlesCurran-m9pafter looking it up, it seems like it has to be in Love Canal. Is it? I’m not finding a specific case though so I’m not sure.

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

@ Nope. This was definitely Schenectady. I tried to goggle it but Google is useless these days. As I recall it was a city owned store taken for taxes and they failed to notify the buyer that it was a former dry cleaners contaminated with chemicals from that business. The issue was failure to disclose vs. lack of due diligence. I never heard any more about what happened. The Schenectady Gazette might be another place to look.

[@terywetherlow7970]

Toxic sites are hiding all around the Country.

[@carmaela2689]

PennDot corrupt? No! I can't believe that! 🙄😂😂😂

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

Sad thing is they weren't always corrupt since they did that right thing with the previous owner.

[@brendanburke5884]

Exactly a corrupt company whatttttttttt no way this the real world

[@jeffreycheng5984]

"Fascism is the merger of corporate and state power."- Benito Mussolini.

[@powerplayer75]

dont attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity

[@neilkurzman4907]

So you don’t know the difference between stupidity and corruption?

[@michaelsmiley15]

That is illegal across the board All sellers are required by law to disclose all attachments on the property That company sold the property and they operated in bad faith Find an attorney that will take the case on consignment

[@terrybrooks272]

PennDOT is a government entity.

[@neilkurzman4907]

Bad faith requires intent. Stupid doesn’t.

[@salmonella508]

A deed search and the developer should have halted the build but a land purchase from the state for 15000? That should have raised a big red flag.

[@lauralowry9895]

$15,000 back in June of 2006? That is a little detail that the story is leaving out. Google maps show her house having been there since at least 2011. Check it out yourself address is 208 Connie Dr in Pittsburgh.

[@johnleca]

15k is money to the poor or me!

[@cdnrednek1027]

Ya ain't gonna fix the land, it's gonna keep sliding.

[@oldbatwit5102]

Yep.

[@subicstationditosailor4053]

DUDE....LET HER TALK!!!!!

[@dublinjazz1]

Yes, he was super annoying.

[@dubsounds]

Best comment

[@AngelaEfferson]

He was leading the conversation

[@daveporter9222]

What happened to “full disclosure“? 🤔♾️☮️♾️🇺🇸

[@patrickbodine1300]

Went the way of accountability.

[@hughejass9461]

So, the realtor(s) or title company apparently didn't bother to do a title search for the property? Plus, if you found a previous foundation then you should have stopped right there and started asking questions. I feel bad for the current homeowner but insurance will never touch this and likely she'll have to go to court to settle the matter.

[@Sadler2010]

Absolutely!!!

[@evelynmahoney3569]

1. Does this place NOT have REAL ESTATE DISCLOSURE LAWS? 2. PennDOT bought the property from this man in 1992. That's 32 years ago. I could swear that the narrator said, "14 years after Robert ______ sold the property to PennDOT, PennDOT sold the property to Donna ______ . . . " a. I need to re-watch and listen more closely bc I heard wrong, or b. This video is from 18 years ago (2006), which I did not realize. EDIT: OK, now they're saying that the lady had repeated flooding in her basement (I'm assuming that means multiple winters / multiple years), and this passed Spring the hill began to slide, Did anyone else get hung up on that or was it just me?

[@DavidDavidunderthebridgeChampi]

There are never any quick fixes. She needs a Real Estate Attorney. Between the title insurance and other legal disclosure requirements, she has some causes for action.

[@Duke_of_Prunes]

The state selling the land is a government clerical mistake. The architect and contractor actuality building on the land is professional malfeasance. They need to be taken to court.

[@kepckatherinec805]

Potential litigation? Of course she needs to sue. And she deserves to win.

[@dublinjazz1]

AND have her legal bills paid for.

[@JohnWickkkk]

Naw

[@brettr5188]

She’s not suing because she knows she will lose. I’m sure there were clear indications in prior paperwork that said this not buildable property. PennDot doesn’t control building permits. The county permit office probably messed up and approved her building permit, or she never got a permit in the first place.

[@AngelaEfferson]

​@@brettr5188 they shouldn't have sold that land at all , isn't that what they told the first owner, " the land can't be sold "

[@benmartinez8443]

Should have done a geological survey, I thought it was required, apparently not.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

If you plan to buy property and find that there had been a home there before, wouldn't you ask some important questions? And who, in there right mind, builds at the base of a hill without engineering surveys and land stability/water issues clearly understood. This lady seems like the sort who would buy a shiny car from some guy at WalMart parking lot and assume it was a good deal.

[@Babu-kr3cr]

Doesn't make it right to rob her though.

[@samgentile7494]

Filing a lawsuit is the only solution. More than likely the Jury will also award her attorney's fees and legal costs. This homeowner is Fraud Victim and a jury of her peers will quickly realize it. As a fraud victim the jury will award her the current value of her home plus Punitive damages that can easily exceed 5 times the value of the home. Fraud is bad, but when that fraud is done by the State the Jury will show no mercy on the State. If the State is smart they will offer her double the value of her home to keep this case out of a Court room.

[@01jbeals]

274k views in 4 days. Wow PennDOT, you’re just avoiding the unavoidable at this point. And this poor woman, the lack of recourse is beyond comprehension. Although I imagine that this will just piss her off even more because she doesn’t seem to be the type to just go away quietly. Fuck that shit. The lack of accountability from PennDOT is unacceptable. I hope this video continues to go viral and force PennDOT to do the right thing. How embarrassing for them

[@idontgiveoutname3122]

The better question is why the county/city allowed a house to be built on the vacant land?

[@aaronthompson3543]

Well the first thing that I look at when exploring land to build or live on, is it on, above, or below a hilly slope. With all of the landslides throughout recent decades due to over mining and construction practices anyone with a bit of knowledge about erosion would never build on the side of a hill next to or under a freeway that is under constant vibrations!!! 😎

[@ryanfields8712]

Wouldn't the average person have charges filed against them? I thought you were required legally to disclose all negative issues?

[@jamesplotkin4674]

Might call Institute for justice and see if they'll take on a case of buyer un-aware ;-)

[@StrikeBuster-b2b]

She didn't get the land surveyed before she bought it?

[@t23001]

After making this woman whole and taking down the house PENDOT needs to study and fix the engineering problems with the hillside. Thousands of people use the highway everyday and there’s a neighborhood of people at risk below.

[@landshass2849]

If you're not from Pennsylvania, PennDoT means Pennsylvania Department transportation, and I don't know why PennDOT go out and buy properties.

[@hannahs_house]

Thank you for clarifying! I was wondering if that's what it was. Here in Georgia, we call it the Dee-Oh-Tee.

[@latestarter7761]

My best guess is they built the highway above and it is the cause of the landslides. What I don’t get is why they don’t fix the problem

[@GotaComent]

PENNDOT scamed the owner and buyer 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidshumway9639]

How didl this information not come up in a title search?

[@phil2156]

I'm sorry, did you not discover this when doing a title search of the property? Did you not purchase title insurance? This doesn't add up

[@TheWittyGeek]

Wait. Why did the DOT buy the property in the first place? What do they have to do with the land sliding? Is there a roadway or something higher up on the hill that contributes to the instability of the hill of something? I just don't understand why the DOT, who is focused on roads and transportation, has anything to do with this property.

[@kylieharrison3782]

Did you not watch the video? They clearly showed the entire location via helicopter or drone. 😂

[@kenbob1071]

Yes. They really should have explained that. Poor reporting. Simply showing a drone shot is not enough when all they had to say was "...after PenDot cleared the land to construct such and such road, the hill became unstable."

[@musicalchairs56]

​@@kylieharrison3782often times I walk away from my phone while listening so I missed that part too.

[@wty1313]

They need to refund her cost plus. "Fair market value" will give her nothing because fair market value will account for the fact that the land is unusable.

[@terrybrooks272]

Just for the constructed house

[@mrow7598]

Maine DOT bought an entire block of homes and demolished them because they put so much salt on the roads they fouled the home's wells. So years later, they sold the same land to people to build homes on.... still have the same wells with salt water...

[@z33511]

Doesn't she have a State Representative who can fix this via special legislation?

[@countbenjamin1442]

Pendot needs to buy the property back fir fair market value. Dont build an expensive wall that will fail.

[@serpentorzool5433]

I believe that she bought super dirt-cheap land that had ruins of a previous house on it. Why didn't think raise alarms?

[@jurgennicht4626]

You are absolutely right! We should blame her! Not the people who knew for sure! I am sure you would have done it much much better!

[@matternst1442]

Why’s the road department selling land in the first place? Why was Penn dot ever involved?

[@Sadler2010]

It is below one of their roads/highways...

[@mrj-charles6383]

Not a Penn Dot Issue. The blame lies with the Abstract company who did the title search. If she bought with a warranty deed then she will be ok. But people are cheap and forgo this insurance. She was able to get a loan because technically it is buildable land. Just requires flood insurance and whatever else they deem necessary to mortgage it. News needs to put more details when reporting something like this.

[@Sadler2010]

It is a PennDOT issue as the seller, it wasn't supposed to ever be sold again!!!

[@leotajackson5602]

They should be sued immediately!!

[@punkw7852]

Anyone else see a couple bonding over the house? I bet the hallmark channel is taking notes & they’ll be wed by Christmas. ❤😊❤😊❤

[@Jeff_11B]

Well, this has gone pretty viral... hopefully the attention brings a solution to thay homeowner.

[@M.K.386]

Why did they sell it to her in that condition?

[@terrybrooks272]

$$$

[@Sadler2010]

After 32 years the reason that they owned the property was lost, obfuscated or ignored...

[@teamofone1219]

They conveniently forgot.

[@monmixer]

That's dirty crap.

[@michaelcsonka2675]

Agree with several others this falls on the abstract company that did the title search. If she had title insurance it should be on them. That said any reller of real property in PA is required to provide notice on a specific form that such known defects exist. In here case there's proof PennDot ok new of the defects. That being said anyone building on a hillside should have the land evaluated by a geologist before buying.

[@Red-n5r]

Sounds like you have the making to work for PennDot.

[@terrybrooks272]

At the same time, common sense should register that you don't build a house at the bottom of a hill with a highway atop it. Asking for trouble.

[@hoosierplowboy5299]

Good reporting...keep after this story; she was wronged...

[@julsjewels3185]

Buyers should always search the deed before buying. Checking on Prime and weird situations like this. I hope she gets her money out of this house.

[@dhatchbernier]

She built that house? If she hired an architect, that architect should lose his or her license. Hideous, and to think they could have built anything.

[@timfischer]

Nothing wrong with the house, it just looks much older than it is (in style)

[@williamburdon6993]

terraces of long concrete blocks to help distribute the load,

[@Look_What_You_Did]

You voted for this. She's a mouth breather. You literally deserve all of this. You're talking to the news... instead of an attorney. Repetitively stating NO does not relieve you of negligence.

[@PHN-2024]

So People at PennDOT were Correct about the Landslide Problem with the Property. What Does Her Husband or Wife Think About this Situation?

[@VegasVaron]

PennDOT shouldn’t have sold the land and the buyer should have done her due diligence! If the price is too good to be true….

[@CM-sy3to]

All land sold by gov goes cheap, so no red flag here.

[@CS-pi5oc]

I looked around a condo after seeing the interior. I saw a large pipe that lay under the bld and extending to a marshy area and a drainage ditch. Who buys these condos in MA…elderly. I was glad to took a full look around. Why did her builder not inform her? Why did neighbors not inform her? Why did the bank giving the home loan not inform her?

[@pressfortransparency]

What did the Seller’s Disclosure say about the property? Did she have her new home inspected? How did she get a mortgage without insurance? Who was her real estate agent? This story barely scratches the surface.

[@geargeeks8955]

Laws are not a factor when taking advantage of normal people. People with money can screw under all of us

[@shirleyannconfer9651]

I wish this surprised me. I worked for PENNDOT for twenty years as a part of their seasonal winter snow removal crews. This probably isn’t the only time that this has happened.

[@susanvaughn741]

I would dig 20 wells and dewater the soil.

[@calvinh.8882]

LOL... Gotta love how the media twists things, Those papers didn't say It was condemned! And just because someone says they're going to condemn property doesn't mean they did or that they had to condemn said property. If said property were condemned the county wouldn't approve permits to build on said property. This is 100% on the new owner. I feel for people who get themselves into things like this, but the only person they have to blame is themselves. To those who've never bought property to build on, It is YOUR PLACE to have it inspected and to do research on said property to make sure you know what you're buying. What if you bought 100 acres to build your dream home on, and you didn't have a licensed inspector or property appraiser inspect or researcher said property, and then after buying it and you start to try and build on it you find out you can't because under the dirt is an old mining operation, a giant filled-in sink hole, or a really old county landfilled that had been covered over for 50 years?? Before you buy land or buy a home already on land, have it inspected and research its past history. If her basement is leaking, then she needs to call her home builder, as for the back yard, she needs to build a retaining wall, which it's kinda hard for me to believe that her homebuilder didn't recommend a retaining wall be put in in the back yard.

[@louf7178]

What about the houses right next to it?

[@thomasschueler9176]

What about the neighbors on each side. Are they not having issues?

[@GH-oi2jf]

Sellers have a duty to disclose.

[@runderwo]

State lawmakers said there wasn't much they could do? They're doing stuff all the time. They authorize this agency's budget and all of its operations.

[@bigseanprice]

but the house lasted this long.....?!

[@my2cents945]

???So she saw the warning sign (old foundation) and didn't research any further? DUH

[@steveurbach3093]

True. But the house could have burnt down or suffered sever damage. But what about the BUILDING DEPARTMENT that issued the permit?

[@my2cents945]

@@steveurbach3093 I think this falls squarely on the state. They sold a condemned property without full disclosure. She should look into her title insurance, that may provide some financial relief.

[@ronbennett7885]

Exactly my thoughts. Presumably greed clouded her judgement. Should have asked questions. And been prepared to walk away versus building on it and losing many times more money.

[@betenu1]

The seller is supposed to give full discloser, if they don't. They are liable. However, when you buy undeveloped land. You are supposed to hire a land surveyor before building on the property

[@Look_What_You_Did]

It can never be sold as undeveloped. It had sewer, electricity, water, possibly gas. Every utility had service history. She claimed they found the prior foundation... AND CONTINUED TO BUILD.

[@arakwar]

It's up to the government to fix this, it's their mistake. This is a moment where I agree that yes, it'll come out of our taxes, but this is why we pay taxes for. So as a community if something goes wrong we can fix it. Mistakes happens. Let's make her life better and move on. It'll only get more expensive to fix if we wait.

[@Kwameking1]

Honesty,Integrity,Business Ethics.SMH.Wishing the Lady the very best.

[@warthogA10]

Sure won't deter the town from collecting that property tax though.. How does one calculate the tax for a home which cannot be sold due to this situation? 🤔

[@barbiek3987]

I'm now wondering, just WHAT got 'condemned'? Was it the building on the land, or was it the land itself. Buildings can be condemned and the land is fine. Also the land could be condemned but any building sitting on the land can be fine.

[@TheCobruhAlienat0r]

I'm surprised she can't find an attorney who will work on contingency and add his fee into the amount they want to settle for since this seems like a slam dunk case against the state.

[@tywal]

I'm a retired civil engineer and PennDOT could address the problems with the hillside however it would cost more than replacing their home. I hope the state does the right thing. In the mean time assume they will ignore and stonewall the homeowner so get a good lawyer.

[@mangos2888]

I'd bet a bunch of money that if a man had bought this property, PennDOT would buy it again and condemn it.

[@chrisreibold1634]

PennDot needs to buy the house and she needs to move. It's the state's fault ultimately. In my opinion, I would never buy or build a house with a huge hill running right down to it. Even if there is no landslide issues, water will still try to get into the basement.

[@charliebuzik9317]

There is a reason why the land was so cheap. If something seems too good to be true, then it's not

[@RealMTBAddict]

You mean that it is.

[@jaeshasway]

Why wouldn’t she have fully researched the land before purchasing? That’s odd that she didn’t question why no one had built on the land in over 30 years and why she got it so cheap.

[@warthogA10]

In my former town (I moved in 2023), the town allowed a builder to start tearing into land beyond a cul de sac up behind my home/property to build several very expensive homes. When the neighborhood tried to stop it, the town ignored and even made th reats to some, and two were actually ha rrased by the local PD in various ways. Oddly enough the chief of police brother is one of the selectmen (in the town board) 🤔 Eventually the State got involved and turns out there were two endangered species living in that area, and the builder also caused a serious disruption to a stream which has ruined it for good. The town board was extremely upset about the state getting involved.. But even after all this.. those homes were simply allowed to be built. 🤷 And they have each sold for $750k each, minimum (some sold for $1.2m) .. and now the two properties at the very end of that cul de sac have flooding problems they never had prior to any of this, .. and they've been told it's because the water table is high where they are.. 🤔 .. and they won't get any restitution for any of it.. amd now the value of their homes have been significantly reduced.

[@krislarsen6546]

It sounds like some information got lost in the paperwork. There's a good chance in 1992 it wasn't actually digital back then. So yeah....😅

[@johngjerry1892]

She got great deal

[@KookyWitch67]

We had A HORRIBLE LANDSLIDE & It was horrific!! How dare they!!!