27 replies to this topic

[Waterford Renter]

I feel sorry for renters as well as condo owners, and both run the risk of mold-related health problems. But renters aren't "stuck" with the property; their leases will end and they can move on. Owners are stuck with defective condos. And the question is: Did the city know about the mold before converting the property, effectively hiding the defect from potential owners?

Thank you, your right we can move if we want, and that is not so easy or the owners of these condos.
I think the city new about it, the renters went to the city meetings. And the owners before they new everything ..........
We saw when then workers started taking down the outside sidding everything was black and the just replaced the sidding as fast as they could.
We had the Sacramento bee here as well we told them everything, we walked the reporter over to the areas that were just taken down and could still see some of what we thought to be mold...
Someone had to know about it, it just dosnt happen over night.....


Good luck to everyone that owns here........

[ESP Guy]

Thank you, your right we can move if we want, and that is not so easy or the owners of these condos.
I think the city new about it, the renters went to the city meetings. And the owners before they new everything ..........
We saw when then workers started taking down the outside sidding everything was black and the just replaced the sidding as fast as they could.
We had the Sacramento bee here as well we told them everything, we walked the reporter over to the areas that were just taken down and could still see some of what we thought to be mold...
Someone had to know about it, it just dosnt happen over night.....
Good luck to everyone that owns here........

wait wait wait, you saw mold interiors? were any pictures taken? Then the bee was there, when mold could be supposedly be seen? Did they comment on that in their paper? This is just a bit freaky if there were ACTUAL accounts of seeing mold unlike what seems like most of the people involved with this issue.

[ManSinha]

I agree with ResumeLady. However, the issue needs to be addressed is that if there was graft in the city leadership corridors that let this happen, then those folks (similar to Ken Lay and Congressman Bob May) need to be held accountable.

[Michael Hughes]

I agree with ResumeLady. However, the issue needs to be addressed is that if there was graft in the city leadership corridors that let this happen, then those folks (similar to Ken Lay and Congressman Bob May) need to be held accountable.

As I have stated in my other post, the city council, the planning department, and other members of the Folsom City Offices knew about the mold. I have signed notarized internal documents that I have come into which I will be circulating shortly (thse documents were from March of 2005 between various deparments of the City of Folsom and Prometheus regarding the KNOWN mold issue since mid 2004.

[Barb J]

Michael,

When you purchased your condo, did you have an inspection? Did the inspector notice any mold? I'm not familiar enough with the situation to know if the mold was visible to the naked eye or not. I work w/ a lot of realtors and know that the mold disclosure is now standard and it saves their behind in cases like yours. But obviously this doesn't apply to the City or the Developer.

Thanks,
Barb

[Michael Hughes]

Michael,

When you purchased your condo, did you have an inspection? Did the inspector notice any mold? I'm not familiar enough with the situation to know if the mold was visible to the naked eye or not. I work w/ a lot of realtors and know that the mold disclosure is now standard and it saves their behind in cases like yours. But obviously this doesn't apply to the City or the Developer.

Thanks,
Barb

Appraised not inspected (that was my fault, being green and a first time home buyer should have known to have it inspected, although my realtor did not recommend it).

Not visible in my unit, however, in three units (one upstairs from me) that were sold it was visible prior to move in.

[Barb J]

Appraised not inspected (that was my fault, being green and a first time home buyer should have known to have it inspected, although my realtor did not recommend it).

Not visible in my unit, however, in three units (one upstairs from me) that were sold it was visible prior to move in.

Sounds like your agent really did a disservice to you! They are supposed to "recommend" that you get an inspection, not discourage. The agent I work for has all his clients sign a waiver if they choose not to have an inspection and the waiver specifically states that he/she recommends that it be done but that the buyer is choosing not to have an inspection of his/her own accord. Seems to me that a good inspector would have caught this issue and solved alot of heartache for you and the others.

I'm a bit new to the subject, I saw you mentioned that the City set aside $32K to remediate the mold issue. Why was the City involved in mold remediation? Seems to me that they were just approving the conversion - why would Folsom be responsible for correcting a problem that the owner of the property should be responsible for????????

Barb J

[ESP Guy]

sounds like a lot inconsistent and/or assumptive information with this whole thing. It sucks whatever the cause/result, come on.

[Waterford Renter]

Thank you, your right we can move if we want, and that is not so easy or the owners of these condos.
I think the city new about it, the renters went to the city meetings. And the owners before they new everything ..........
We saw when then workers started taking down the outside sidding everything was black and the just replaced the sidding as fast as they could.
We had the Sacramento bee here as well we told them everything, we walked the reporter over to the areas that were just taken down and could still see some of what we thought to be mold...
Someone had to know about it, it just dosnt happen over night.....
Good luck to everyone that owns here........

Hi,
We didnt see anything on the inside, but did see it on the outside when the workers took off the sidding..
And the BEE reporter was here and we showed him this and he made notes of it also......
All the renters got together and had the reporter come out it was in the news and the newspaper....

Then a few years ago this apartment complex had a mold issue, I was told about this 2 years ago, but also was told that they had cleaned this up... Now did they nobody knows......

I will try and check to see if I can find out who the reporter was that was here, I had personnally showed him the mold on the building when the sidding was taken down..........

[Michael Hughes]

Sounds like your agent really did a disservice to you! They are supposed to "recommend" that you get an inspection, not discourage. The agent I work for has all his clients sign a waiver if they choose not to have an inspection and the waiver specifically states that he/she recommends that it be done but that the buyer is choosing not to have an inspection of his/her own accord. Seems to me that a good inspector would have caught this issue and solved alot of heartache for you and the others.

I'm a bit new to the subject, I saw you mentioned that the City set aside $32K to remediate the mold issue. Why was the City involved in mold remediation? Seems to me that they were just approving the conversion - why would Folsom be responsible for correcting a problem that the owner of the property should be responsible for????????

Barb J

If I said the city that was a big typo on my part. I meant the developer Prometheus set aside $32,000 to remediate the mold. The city approved the budget as it was a requirement from the Council/City that Prometheus remediate the mold before they could sell the units. This and much more is all in the document that I am going to scan once I can get my scanner working (does anyone know of any place selling scanners cheap!!??). I haven't had much time since I am working 70 - 80 hour weeks for the next couple weeks since I had to fire my assistant manager. As for signing a waiver, that is definitely a good idea. The realtor we worked with never even had us sign but one or two pieces of paper ever. Yes we got the royal shaft.

Michael

[Redone]

If I said the city that was a big typo on my part. I meant the developer Prometheus set aside $32,000 to remediate the mold. The city approved the budget as it was a requirement from the Council/City that Prometheus remediate the mold before they could sell the units. This and much more is all in the document that I am going to scan once I can get my scanner working (does anyone know of any place selling scanners cheap!!??). I haven't had much time since I am working 70 - 80 hour weeks for the next couple weeks since I had to fire my assistant manager. As for signing a waiver, that is definitely a good idea. The realtor we worked with never even had us sign but one or two pieces of paper ever. Yes we got the royal shaft.

Michael

Even with this conversion you still had a right to do an inspection, if your realtor didn't let you know, they may be liable. You need to ask the same attorney working on Prometheus for you. You may have not bought the condo if you had a complete inspection.

[Michael Hughes]

Even with this conversion you still had a right to do an inspection, if your realtor didn't let you know, they may be liable. You need to ask the same attorney working on Prometheus for you. You may have not bought the condo if you had a complete inspection.

The legal remedys available for this case are laughable. I have talked to over 50 lawyers throughout the state, and only one would take it and wanted such a high fee that we could nos possibly afford it. Luckily, my fiancee and I moved out into Natomas (don't know if thats lucky since she works in Rancho, and I in El Dorado Hills), but still we moved out. Hopefully everyone else is doing the same. Units in the complex are popping up in droves for foreclosure, not just because of the fact they re-partmented and its a bad investment but because of the mold. I think it quite ridiculous that no one would touch it.

And on another note, I noticed a couple other threads referencing how these "mold" claims are very suspect and outrageous, they are plain facts. I know renters there presently too who are having health issues now. If it was not toxic mold why last year did they send in HAZMAT crews and have shower stations set up for regular renovations. I used to work for one of the largest HAZMAT waste disposal management companies on the west coast. They dont just send out crews for some minor "mold and mildew".

I also read some other communities may have mold. I will continue to hope and pray for those owners that they find the help they need (both legally and medicaly) and appreciate the support that Heidi and I have received from those who sent words of encouragement.

[pattirn]

Perhaps you should update your knowledge of this topic before you pass judgement on what these folks have gone through and the fact that they hired a "stinking attorney".......

http://www.tomatopag...?showtopic=9177
http://www.tomatopag...?showtopic=9628

I have also been a victim of indoor mold exposure caused by construction defects and water intrusion problems. When my family was advised to vacate our Empire Ranch home until proper remediation was completed, our builder ceased all communication with us and turned the matter over to their "legal department." We ended up having to hire a "stinking attorney," too. Two years later, we are still in litigation, have lost the home to foreclosure, and are nearly bankrupt. We all developed health problems over the five years we lived in our beautiful home (asthma, sinusitis, rashes, headaches, fatigue) and are still struggling to recover.
Along with a few other local mold victims, we are trying to create a support network and work on getting more serious attention for this devastating public health and safety issue. This is a nightmare that is happening to far to many people and it needs to stop! Part of the problem is the air tight, energy efficient homebuilding materials that set up a perfect culture media for fungi...all that is needed is moisture (anything over 65% humidity will do, and a leaky roof or window is ideal!). Anyone who is interested can sign on at: http://toxicmold.mee...lendar/7787605/
Patti