Jorgensen v. Pressnall

Gordon and Kathryn Jorgensen (plaintiffs) purchased a mobile home from Ronald Pressnall (defendant). Pressnall had told the Jorgensens that the mobile home was of “good, sound construction,” and that any factory defects would be promptly repaired. The Jorgensens paid a down payment and signed a financing agreement with Pressnall. Pressnall assigned the finance contract to Commercial Credit Company (Commercial Credit) (defendant). When Pressnall assigned the finance contract, Pressnall warranted that the contract would be enforceable against the Jorgensens. When the Jorgensens moved in, they discovered that the mobile home had serious structural defects, including cracks in the walls and plumbing leaks. The Jorgensens notified Pressnall of the defects, and Pressnall said the defects would be fixed. Pressnall sent handymen to the Jorgensens’ home, but the handymen failed to make adequate repairs. After about two months, the Jorgensens rejected Pressnall’s further attempts to repair the mobile home. The Jorgensens returned the mobile home and notified Pressnall and Commercial Credit that the Jorgensens were rescinding or undoing the sales contract. Commercial Credit repossessed and sold the mobile home at a loss. The Jorgensens sued Pressnall and Commercial Credit for rescission, the return of their down payment, and consequential damages. Commercial Credit asserted a crossclaim against Pressnall for damages. The trial court entered judgment against Pressnall on both the Jorgensens’ rescission claim and Commercial Credit’s damages claim. Pressnall appealed.