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Water Water Everywhere...

By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

January 06, 2010 05:47 AM

Like the line from the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", water water everywhere is not what one wants to see in their listed property. Nor does the home inspector! But this is what happened earlier today.

It is not unusual for real estate agents to turn the heat down to conserve on energy costs especially in an unoccupied property. However it is not very wise to leave the upstairs heat off in sub-freezing weather as this listing agent just found out.

The instructions were: The water is turned off at the meter. Have your inspector turn Rodger that, Spud One. It looks like the gazinta is broken. the water on and turn it off at the meter when finished.

Okay, Let's turn the water on and check for leaks. Wow! I thought that I was at a water park or there was a new indoor water feature built into the property that was not in the MLS. Evidentially, nobody thought about the sprinkler system in the attic freezing. Needless to say, someone has one mell of a hess to clean up...

The moral of the story? Don't be pennywise and pound foolish. The cost of cleanup and repairs will far outweigh the few dollars saved on heating the property...

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU help others live THEIR American Dream...

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TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Judi, It is not unusual to see stickies next to thermostats that tell folks not to mess with the thermostat or to reset to 50...

Steven, I generally do not either, but in this case, I have credible back-ups...

Helping you help others live their American dream...

Jan 06, 2010 07:44 PM

Joseph D. Federico

MVP Realty - Naples, FL

Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Michael-Such a mess for a fine home. Have a great 2010!

Jan 06, 2010 10:09 PM

Jackie Connelly-Fornuff

Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY

"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Michael, I can't believe this. Turning the heat off? What were they thinking? That is ashame that happened to such a nice home.

Jan 06, 2010 10:42 PM

Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I've personally never touched the temperature set by my clients in their home. If a home is freezing cold or to wam most buyers will spend their time complaining about the temperature and not pay attention to the house. Most the home inspectors I work with won't turn water on or off. It is the listing agents responsibility so just in case something like what you encountered happens there is no doubt who has the responsibility for the repairs.

Jan 06, 2010 11:03 PM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Michael, I thought it was a new water feature, cascading down the stairs in a shimmery frozen scene.

Wow, living up here in the Northeast, I just think that is plain dumb. Nothing else needs to be said.

Jan 06, 2010 11:11 PM

Toula Rosebrock

Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ

Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Michael:

What a MESS!

Penny wise and pound foolish is right!

Jan 07, 2010 12:27 AM

Tom Boos

Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

I just dealt with a "water event" last evening at one of my commercial-lease listings. It seems that the tenant in an adjoining space decided to "save some money" by turning off the furnace during a long Holiday absence. BAD IDEA. Not only did HE suffer thousands-of-dollars in damage, but MY space was also significantly damaged. I hate Winter.

Jan 07, 2010 01:03 AM

Brian Lee Burke

Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO

Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

Michael - oh, oh.... that is not good - at all. I too am ready for summer - LOL. ~Rita

Jan 07, 2010 02:25 AM

Brian Lee Burke

Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO

Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

Just wanted to add that I reblogged your post. ~Rita

Jan 07, 2010 02:28 AM

Debi Boucher

Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO

"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

OMG! Talk about living a nightmare! What a rude awakening this must have been!

Debi

Jan 07, 2010 02:56 AM

Jim & Cathy Wood Greater Nashville Area Real Estate

Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc. - Mount Juliet, TN

Michael-

I have a similar situation.

But the house was not freezing.

Jan 07, 2010 03:18 AM

Franklin & Brentwood, TN Homes Mike Nastri

Keller Williams Realty - Franklin, TN

It matters to us as much as it matters to you.

Thank you Michael, I reblogged and linked to it too from Facebook.

I think it is important for agents and sellers to see. I can't emphasize enough the importance of keeping the pipes warm enough from freezing. Your photos ought to bring it home.

Jan 07, 2010 05:37 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Michael, I recently showed a home that had no heat. I contacted the listing agent immediately and told her that she was taking risks by not having the heat on. We exchanged a few unpleasant words, she was adamant that her clients wanted to save money. I wonder if that home looks like this now. I am also re-blogging this info.

Jan 07, 2010 01:06 PM

Anthea Click

Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN

Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!

Michael,

You are never shocked at what you find anymore, are you? The thought of home is supposed to be warm and comfortable. Not so when you can see your breath indoors. What a wasted opportunity to connect with a buyer who is out looking for a home during this time of year.

Jan 07, 2010 01:36 PM

Liz Moras Migic

Chilliwack, BC

Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Mell of a Hess eh? lol.....wow now that's something else - and worth forwarding to some clients :-)

Jan 10, 2010 03:26 PM

Robert Hammerstein -

Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ

Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Michael - Great Post! Also FYI I reblogged it..... Nice pics and yes I am ready for summer as well..

Jan 11, 2010 06:03 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Michael, how did I miss this one? There's nothing like unlocking a door to show a house (preferably not one of my listings) and find a winter Olympics figure skating venue! Yikes.

Jan 16, 2010 01:52 AM

Ellie McIntire

Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD

Luxury service in Central Maryland

Michael- what a horrific sight. Last year I was in the midst of a debacle thanks to the winterization company NOT winterizing the sprinkler system. When they turned the water on for the home inspection all the pipes shattered inside the house. Not pretty!!!!

Jan 17, 2010 12:17 PM

Debra Leisek

Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

We have seen more than our share of these stories here! People think they can do this themselves.. no problem.... until they have a big problem! Hire a professional!

Jan 17, 2010 04:47 PM

Joe Pryor

The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK

REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

This is a good warning to short sale specialist. When an owner has moved out, we call the mortgage company who we are working the short sale with to get them to have the property winterized. Short sales are as is condition, but having damage is a good way to lose the sale because a buyer can walk all the way up to final approval.

Jan 18, 2010 02:29 AM