FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla – What started as a dream home purchase has turned into a costly nightmare for one Fernandina Beach couple, raising questions about the reliability of home inspections and the importance of buyer due diligence.
Dimitri Smaragdas purchased his manufactured home in January for $240,000, only to discover extensive damage, including toxic black mold, rotting walls, and a deteriorating roof. He faced nearly $70,000 in repairs.
“Two months ago, we had a pipe burst in the sink,” Smaragdas said. “We called the insurance company, they sent remediators out, but they stopped because they saw black mold on the floor.”
The situation worsened when investigators discovered an actively leaking water heater — an issue Smaragdas said should have been caught during the initial home inspection.
Mike Baker, owner of Green Check mold testing, confirmed the presence of toxic mold during a recent inspection. “A lot of the worst molds come from water damage, so we’re going to find some icky stuff when that lab report is back,” Baker said.
A review of the property’s history revealed concerning details. Lawrence Storniolo, owner of Affordable Home Inspections, found significant discrepancies in the original inspection report after an over five-hour review.
“The home was previously sold in 2019 for $35,000,” Storniolo said, a fact that was never disclosed to Smaragdas. He also noted that the water heater was original to the home’s construction in 2000. “That should have been noted in the home inspection.”
Storniolo discovered that while the original inspector’s moisture meter showed high readings, the four-point inspection submitted to the insurance company indicated no active moisture in the home.
When contacted by News4JAX, the original inspector declined to comment on camera about his findings. The seller of the home could not be reached for comment.
Storniolo warns that even five-star reviews can be deceiving when selecting a home inspector. He recommends potential homebuyers take several precautionary steps:
- Verify everything independently
- Call inspectors before hiring and ask about their experience
- Request sample inspection reports
- Check the Better Business Bureau website for complaints
- Ask detailed questions about their inspection process
“You have to do your own homework,” Storniolo said. “Calling the inspector on the front end and asking the hard questions... you need to protect yourself.”
Smaragdas has retained an attorney and is currently seeking a settlement with his insurance company.