First Time Homeowner Disaster Victims Need New Roof

Shanna Schoep is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hello,

We understand there are many people in need that have it worse off than us.

However, any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated.

We are first time home buyers.

We purchased our home in 2022 in Austin, MN.

When purchased the home, they stated it was a fairly new roof, but during escrow (unbeknownst to us) there was a storm that caused some roof damage.

We moved in thinking nothing of it.

Then last year, there was a larger storm declared a Federal Emergency FEMA Disaster.

fWe opened a claim with our homeowners insurance company.

They came out to examine the roof and assess the damages.

They stated we need an entirely new roof but unfortunately, they would not issue us any sort of funds because they stated that the roof had previous wear they were unaware of.

We ran a CLUE report and came to find the previous sellers had taken out a policy during escrow to replace the roof, they were allotted funds to replace it, but kept the money and chose to leave us with the damage!!

This roof will not make it through another Minnesota winter.

We moved here with a reasonable savings, but that savings has converted into debt.

A large amount has gone just to pay the utility bill.

It is so outrageous due to the water, cold, or heat coming in through the attic and roof.

As of now, we cannot even get homeowners insurance without replacing our roof which we just don’t have money for.

Steps we took in the past year to attempt to rectify:

1. We contacted our pre-purchase inspector. He apologized for anything that went unnoticed and refunded us the small fee we paid for his services.

2. We contacted our real estate agent, who unfortunately was a cousin of the other buyer and caused family conflict. We regret involving family with business. Regardless, she ghosted us.

3. We filed a complaint with a real estate agent agency against her, asked her to relinquish her commission to go toward the roof, but she refused (In Minnesota. It’s a choice).

4. We hired an attorney. Unfortunately they missed the arbitration filing dates and reimbursed us the retainer. (This is how our debt initially started because we had to borrow against our Credit Card)

5. We filed 2 complaints with the consumer reporting agency and the Attorney General.

6. We applied for several grants (Minnesota - Mower County - is low o funds)

7. We applied for FEMA assistance and we’re allotted a very small amount of funds which we were able to fix a minor amount of electricity that was blown.

8. We filed for a FEMA appeal, but they did not see the appeal. We missed it and we went back and attempted, and did not receive funds.

It’s almost as if nobody involved in this transaction did their job, including us.

I felt like I had studied a lot, so I was surprised that I allowed so many things to get past me.

Now we unfortunately argue regularly due to the debt and disaster.

We also have 3 animals that also need help and they are undergoing just as much stress as we are so anything that you can offer would be appreciated.

Maybe people see us as being “well off” and we should feel lucky to have a home at all, or maybe you wish this was your only problem - Trust me, we DO feel beyond blessed but we wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

We felt like we had such a bright future, we wanted (and still do) to open a couple of businesses.

Any funds received will go towards:

- A new roof

- New gutters

- Paying off the debt due to this issue.

Please help!