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Vandalism reconstruction

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Ever hear of one those 'nightmare' home stories? I have one for you and it didn't happen to someone else. It happened to us. We JUST closed on a home we purchased and received the keys at 1pm(5-21-13). I initially went over to the house with Jesse, our three year old son at 4pm. To my dismay when I opened the front door was water RAINING from the ceilings. As my jaw dropped and my heart sank, Jesse didn't miss a beat with his toddler mind, said "Daddy, there's a watafaw in herw". I frantically tried to find the source which was the master bedroom toilet upstairs. Unfortunately, it wasn't just a leak. It appears some teenagers/young adults decided to break in and use the house as there party spot over the weekend. The toilet was smashed to pieces which left it running for at least 48 hours. Beer cans/bottles were scattered everywhere, along with graffiti and dozens of holes in the walls. The entire second floor was completely saturated and then flowed through the ceiling and walls to the first floor. Dry wall was falling off the kitchen ceiling and the kitchen light fixture was dangling half way to the floor. It's amazing what water does to latex paint when it gets in between the drywall. It separates from the drywall causing large bubbles that will hold water like a balloon until bursting. The first floor flooring is destroyed as well, including a lot of hardwood. All the insulation and duct work under the the home was destroyed. The police came out and did a report and evidence collection. Chances are small that the culprits will see justice. However, we did see a suspicious car with teenagers come through the court that matches the same car a neighbor saw on Saturday parked in the drive way. I did a TV interview today 5-27-13 and it will air on KTVZ, Bend, Oregon or you can see it on www.KTVZ.com. Our insurance has denied coverage because it happened before we closed. It was a HUD foreclosure and they are denying liability because they said the water was turned on without their permission. I've talked to an attorney and am waiting to decide what we should do. In the mean time demolishing and drying costs have all ready totaled about $15,000. Reconstruction repairs are estimated at $50-75,000. I am a ER nurse with five children and a stay at home wife. We have no financial means to cover these costs. Not to mention what our water bill is going to be for an estimated 10,000 gallons of water, the electricity bill to run the dryers and dehumidifiers 24-7 for the last week, and who knows what the attorney fees might be. Our goal at this point is to move into the house anyhow (there are three rooms that were not affected except the carpet). We will attempt to do most of the work on our own (and many people who have all ready volunteered their time!!) to save labor costs. I humbly ask for ANY help that you may be able to provide. THANK YOU for taking the time to read this exhausting letter. Rick and Daniele Miller.You can see more information and photo's on my FaceBook page.
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  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 11 yrs
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Rick Miller
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Bend, OR

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