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News Of The Weird

By
Real Estate Agent with Ad Astra Realty BR00222587

So I'm out pre-viewing properties yesterday afternoon in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City. A property I was most particularly interested in was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath and 1 car detached garage being offered at just under $60,000. That's way under market and I wanted to know why.

When I get there the owners are home and are gracious and show me around. While it's not much to some people's standards they seemed very proud of their home. Nice, quiet folks. I mean them absolutely no disrespect.

After viewing the inside of the home I said I'd like to walk around the outside. The husband volunteers to unlock the garage for me. While waiting for him to unlock the garage I notice the open crawl space door with what looks like tons of trash in it.

Now for those of you unfamiliar with a crawl space, it's not a basement but rather about a 3 foot high foundation (in this home's case, anyway) around the outside of the home that supports the floor joists and allows room for the home's mechanicals. Usually bare dirt or gravel are there under the home.



I wanted to take a closer look to see how much trash would have to be cleaned out. So I stick my head in AND THIS HIPPIE DUDE ASKS ME WHAT I WANT!


It made my heart stop! I've walked the streets of SE DC as an investigator/photographer and I've been in many situations. But I was prepared for those. I was not prepared for some dude LIVING IN THE CRAWL SPACE OF THE HOUSE.

Now, if that's not crazy enough I go back over to the gentleman at the garage and he doesn't say a word. Like it's normal. Proceeds to show me the garage and it's improvements. NEVER EVEN MENTIONS THE GUY! But I know that he knows him because dude's backpack (your typical hippie gone-for-a-month issue backpack) is in the secured garage.

Crazy. I've seen live chickens living in houses. Dog feces everywhere and even open drug use while looking at a house. But living in a crawl space? First time, baby. First time.



Your stories are welcome here!

Comments (11)

Dan Forbes
Bradenton, FL

Great story and I like the photo which goes great with it. 

I had a listing with a possum living in the attic.  I've just posted this about a house with BIRDS everywhere in the front yard 365 days a year.

Aug 23, 2007 01:51 AM
Cristy Smith
mmm - Austin, TX

Great post...and the picture really adds to the meaning. Keep it up!

Cristy Redden

Aug 23, 2007 01:53 AM
Gary Nelson
RE\MAX Components - Abingdon, MD
REALTOR , CRS, CDPE, e-Pro, GRI

We get some weird stuff here in Maryland, but I have to say that I have never ran up on someone living in a crawl space.  Thanks for sharing....

Gary

Aug 23, 2007 02:04 AM
Diane Adler
WeveMovedGifts.com - Marietta, GA

Unbelievable. That might get me out of real estate.

Did you bother to ask about the guy? And about the price? I would think he would drive the price up -- sort of like a mother-in-law suite concept.

Aug 23, 2007 02:31 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator
That's hilarious.  I wonder if the hippie comes with the house or if he's negotiable...
Aug 23, 2007 02:32 AM
Geordie Romer
Windermere Real Estate / NCW - Leavenworth, WA
Serving Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain
Chris- YOU WIN! That is one of the weirdest real estate stories I have ever heard. I guess the good news is that the crawlspace has decent access. We have a lot of older crawlspaces that are pretty small.  Is the guy living there paying rent? Seems like a good cash flow situation...
Aug 23, 2007 02:50 AM
Chris Lengquist
Ad Astra Realty - Olathe, KS
Kansas City Real Estate Investing
Thank you to everyone.  I love the advertising ideas I have been given if I ever list a house like this!
Aug 23, 2007 05:19 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495
Chris, did you check for bats in the belfry? 
Aug 23, 2007 06:21 AM
John Evarts
Classic Property Management of Santa Clarita - Santa Clarita, CA
Chris, does he pay rent? Is it being sold as a rental? Two units for 60k! I'm in!
Aug 23, 2007 07:32 AM
Diane Adler
WeveMovedGifts.com - Marietta, GA
Thanks for the laugh. This blog was worth checking back on. Great way to end a day.
Aug 23, 2007 09:22 AM