N.J Court Affirms Ruling for Buyers Who Backed Out of Home Sale

NEWARK, N.J. - Home sellers who did not address all listed defects in a home inspection report were obligated to return a $36,000 deposit to the buyers and allow the sale to be cancelled, a New Jersey appellate court affirmed on Sept. 29. Freeman v. Sandlaufer, No. A-2687-03T5 (N.J. Super. Ct., App. Div.).

Matthew and Lisa Freeman sued to cancel a home sales contract and recover their deposit from Deborah Sandlaufer, complaining that Sandlaufer failed to fully address defects specified in a 32-page inspection report, including water damage, suspected leaks and siding problems, and visible mold.

The Freemans attorney …