Cory And Melissa Jespersen, V Clark County

199 Wash. App. 568
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedJuly 5, 2017
Docket48653-9-II
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 199 Wash. App. 568 (Cory And Melissa Jespersen, V Clark County) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cory And Melissa Jespersen, V Clark County, 199 Wash. App. 568 (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).

Opinion

Sutton, J.

¶1 This appeal arises after Cory and Melissa Jespersen purchased property at a tax foreclosure auction without any warranty of title by Clark County (County). After the sale, the Jespersens discovered that the property had been illegally subdivided years earlier. They demanded that the County rescind the sale and sued the County when the County refused.

¶2 We hold that (1) the plain language of chapter 84.64 RCW does not provide the right of rescission for a purchase at a tax foreclosure sale of an “as is” lot, and RCW 58.17.210 does not control, (2) because the County expressly disclaimed any warranty of title and the Jespersens bought the lot “as is,” the doctrine of caveat emptor applies, (3) there was no failure of consideration due to a frustration of purpose and, thus, the Jespersens do not have a common law right of rescission, and (4) the Jespersens’ constitutional claims fail. Therefore, we affirm the superior court’s orders denying the Jespersens summary judgment and granting summary judgment in favor of the County.

*572 FACTS

I. Background

A. Parcel History

¶3 In 1998, Michael and Mickey Anderson, owners of tax lots 26 and 27, 1 requested a legal lot determination from the County. In response, the County published a development review decision that stated that lots 26 and 27 were created on May 9,1978, in violation of the County short plat ordinance. The decision concluded that “the County cannot recognize tax lots 26 and 27 as separate lots, but the parcel containing both tax lots 26 and 27 is recognized as one legal lot of record.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 44. A year later, the Andersons requested a public interest exception from the County, asking the County to recognize lot 26 and lot 27 as separate legal lots of record. The County published a development review decision and approved the request subject to conditions, including a wetland delineation for lot 27 and a possible boundary line adjustment if a home site could not be found on lot 27. 2

¶4 In 1999, instead of meeting or appealing the conditions, the Andersons sold lot 26, illegally subdividing it from lot 27. In 2010, the County initiated foreclosure proceedings under chapter 84.64 RCW against the Andersons for delin *573 quent property taxes for lot 27. Christian Amae purchased lot 27 in a county tax foreclosure auction in 2010.

B. Tax Foreclosure Auction and Purchase

¶5 In 2013, the County again initiated foreclosure proceedings for delinquent property taxes for lot 27. In 2014, the County conducted a tax foreclosure auction for lot 27 that is the subject of this appeal.

¶6 The County used an automated system to register bidders and track bidding during the auction. The County required each prospective online bidder to accept the County’s terms of sale, as posted on the auction site, before bidding on properties in the auction. The terms provided in relevant part:

Bidders are required to conduct any research of due diligence they wish to conduct prior to bid submittal. A bid is an irrevocable offer to purchase property and once made, is a binding contract.
The County does not guarantee that all properties are build-able lots. All properties are offered for sale on a “where is” and “as is” basis without any representation or warranty, expressed or implied. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to do their own research as to the use of the properties for their intended purpose and to inspect the property personally to determine if it will be suitable for the purposes for which it is purchased.
Research and Inspect Thoroughly Before You Bid
Prospective purchasers are urged to examine the title, location and desirability of the properties available to their own satisfaction prior to the sale. The County Treasurer makes no warranty, either expressed or implied, relative to the usability, location, property lines, or topography.
Properties are sold “AS IS”
ALL PROPERTIES ARE SOLD AS IS. The sale of these properties should not, in any[ ]way, be equated to real estate sales by licensed sales people, brokers or realtors. The Treasur *574 er’s Office makes no guarantee, expressed or implied, relative to the title, location or condition of the properties for sale.
BY SUBMITTING A BID, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE SALEAS POSTED AT THE TIME BID IS SUBMITTED.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS.

CP at 146-48. Additionally, on its property tax sales webpage, the County posted the following in large typeface:

ALL PROPERTIES ARE SOLD “AS IS.” Prospective bidders should exercise due diligence when considering bidding on a property. The sale of these properties should not, in any[ ]way, be equated to real estate sales by a [sic] licensed salespeople, brokers or realtors. The County of Clark makes no guarantee or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, relative to the title, legal lot determination, zoning classification, building permit eligibility, location or condition of the properties for sale. Property taxes delinquent and currently due will be paid from the proceeds of the sale.

CP at 362 (boldface omitted). In regular size typeface within the property tax sales webpages, the County also posted the following relevant information:

All parcels are sold “as is” and all sales are final. The sale of these properties should not, in any[ ]way, be equated to real estate sales by licensed salespeople, brokers or realtors. The County of Clark makes no guarantee or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, relative to the title, legal lot determination, zoning classification, building permit eligibility, location or condition of the properties for sale. Potential purchasers should seek the advice of a real estate attorney if additional information is needed.

CP at 364.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
199 Wash. App. 568, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cory-and-melissa-jespersen-v-clark-county-washctapp-2017.