Does my realtor have a legal responsibility to disclose ?

Your Realtor has to disclose known material issues, but they’re not responsible for problems they didn’t know about or couldn’t reasonably see. They’re not an HVAC tech or roofer. The real question is whether the seller, listing agent, or your agent knew about the furnace or roof problems and failed to tell you. Check the seller disclosure, inspection report, MLS listing, repair requests, and any texts or emails. If the inspection flagged these issues and they were brushed off, that’s different. But if the furnace failed after closing and there was no prior warning, it may just be bad timing, as frustrating as that is. Start with your agent’s broker and bring the paper trail. If there’s proof someone hid something, then talk to a real estate attorney.

Did you have a home inspection? Keep in mind, your real estate agent was not your home inspector. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Yes — agents are legally obligated to disclose material facts they know about the property that could impact value or a buyer’s decision. This includes things like roof leaks, foundation issues, or known code violations. Honesty keeps everyone protected.

First question -- did you have a home inspection? Second question -- were you working with a Buyer Agent representation or using the Sellers agent? A home inspector would have given you a snapshot of the property, its mechanicals and life span as well as repairs that will be need now and future. That inspection can be used to ask the property owner to make repairs prior to your purchase. If you were working with the Sellers agent as a customer or in a dual agent situation -- they were not really your representative. I understand your frustration. More details are needed. A Realtor is not licensed home inspector and can only relay what they know to be facts.

Did you have a licensed home inspector? Did you know the age of the furnace when you purchased the home? Were you at the home when the inspector looked at the house? Was a home warranty suggested?

Realtors are obligated to disclose known material defects.

Not familiar with real estate law in IL, however in Maryland and Delaware where I am licensed as an agent (not an attorney), you need to be aware of what the material facts are. As an agent, if you see something you must disclose it. If the homeowner tells you something but does not disclose it on the property disclosure, the agent is bound to pass that information on to the prospective buyer. Part of what you’re describing is: homeownership. Things can and will happen at any time. And, it’s been a particularly cold season which is causing all sorts of mechanical and electrical systems to act differently (or not at all). When you were in the buying process did you get a home inspection? If so, it should give you the condition and age of the systems. With this knowledge, and having a qualified contractor go through any known issues as a result of the inspection, you should have a solid idea on what’s going on in the house. I understand that is a frustrating, costly and probably freezing cold experience. But unless the Realtor working for you withheld information from you (which they cannot ethically do), they are most likely not liable. Refer back to your sales contract, inspection agreement and report and review limitations. Good luck!