A man in Florida thought he’d copped a bargain when he purchased what he thought was an entire villa for US$9100 (AU$13000), when in reality it was just a 30cm by 3m strip of land.
The man believed he was bidding on a villa worth US$177,000 (AU$257,265).
A man in Florida was infuriated to find out that the bargain first house he bought wasn’t a house at all, but a 30cm strip of land.
Kerville Holness of Florida, forked out thousands of dollars for a house – only to be left with an essentially worthless piece of land valued at $50. He bought the land in March through an online auction of tax-defaulted properties, held by Broward County.
The 30cm by 3m strip of grass separates two residential properties, running from the street kerb, under a garage wall and out to the back of the properties. “If I’m vindictive enough, I can cut right through the garage wall and the home to get to my air space, but what use would that be to me?” Holness told his local paper “It’s deception. There was no demarcation to show you it’s just a line going through (the villa duplex), even though they have the tools to show that.”
Holness claims that he was misled and is pushing to get his money returned, arguing that the property appraiser did not disclose that the property for sale was just a strip of land. Rather, the photos allegedly suggested that it was the villa that was up for auction. Unfortunately for him, refunds aren’t allowed in such circumstances under Florida state law.
“It is imperative that anyone interested in participating in the tax deed sale performs due diligence including a full title and line search prior to bidding on any property,” the Broward County auction site states. “Broward County does not guarantee the condition of any property. All properties are sold ‘buyer beware — sold as is’.”
Heavy days for Kerville Holness.
