The money pit

How can this happen? A home in a very nice neighborhood with a price that seemed exceptionally low. The home is over 5000 square ft on one acre.  The average price in the neighborhood is 30 percent higher than the asking price. By now "flippers" should have been swarming this house. But, not one in sight.  I'm sure everyone remembers the movie "The Money Pit."  (Yes, the really old movie when Tom Hanks was a baby)     The home is a stately structure on a mature lot in a well manicured neighborhood.   We begin to walk down the walk way next to the overgrown shrubs and sidewalk lighting, and notice the gutters had rusted out

As we rounded the corner to the front door we noticed the sidewalk lighting had the wires  laying on top of  the ground with the wire nuts exposed.One connecting wire was directly underneath a section of the gutter that rain was running straight through.  We happen to be there on a rainy day, which lent itself to a whole new experience.  It had some roofing issues noticeable, once inside, by the strategically placed pans.    While watching the rain drip onto electrical wiring I noticed a nice security camera mounted in the wall next to the front door.  At this point I'm foolishly thing, "It can't be that bad", I'm soon to learn I am oooh so very wrong.  

We walk into what was once an amazing foyer with a large chandelier and curved stairwell leading to a landing overlooking the great room, it then continues to the bedrooms and a large bonus room over a three car garage.  To the left of the foyer is the formal living and dining room. The home has hard wood flooring, however it so badly stained with pet puddles all of it will have to be replaced, or refinished with a very dark finish.

The kitchen was the finest kitchen design in the 80's, but had lost some of its luster.   At one time some of it probably could have been saved; now it would have to be ripped out completely.  The bottoms of the cabinets were used as chew toys for the pets.  Every window seal was chewed,  and every door facing was clawed.

This was once a grand home and still would be as grand as the day it was built had it been maintained, and the pets sent to obedience school.   I just cannot begin to tell you how stunned I was to walk into a home that would have been, by most people, a privilege to live in and see it destroyed.  The money it will take to replace all of the pet damage will be very significant.  This was a very expensive pet.

In additon to the interior damage from pets, and the exterior damage due to neglect, the home also seemed to have termite damage. Could all of this be corrected? Sure , with enough time and money.  

This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Elizabeth Payne-Brewer of Keller Williams Realty. Providing real estate services to clients in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Williamson County, and the middle Tennessee area.