Sign, sign, everywhere a sign says... "Do this, don't do that...."

In our cold and wintry climate this time of year it is customary to winterize a vacant and unheated property. In order to keep folks from attempting to use the bathrooms in these vacant properties during showing appointments, signs are placed on the sinks and commodes stating "Do Not Use" and "Winterized", "Water Is Off", etc. 

During a recent FHA appraisal, the appraiser took the signs at face value and did not even attempt to turn on the faucets to see if water was available. Instead he flagged the property as "conditional for reinspection to verify water utility was on"! This while I as listing agent was present the entire time. Uhmmm... somehow I was under the assumption that the appraiser surely would have known or maybe even guessed that the property was prepared for his inspection. As an industry insider, wouldn't he have known the vacant property's water lines and plumbing system  needs to be protected, and wouldn't he have seen lots of similar signs in properties before? Wouldn't you think he could have asked me about the water or at least mentioned it?

That is reminiscent of the old Candid Camera skits where nonsensical and outrageous signs were posted at various places, and the camera would record how the unsuspecting people would obey even the silliest of those signs. I know from now on I am going to hide those signs!

When the "re-inspection" took place, I asked the inspector why that was flagged, and he admitted he didn't even try the faucets because of the signs. It's important to note that I am not criticizing the appraiser in any way, and I have done some very absent minded things myself and am sure to do a lot more in the future. It's just one of those zany things that can happen anytime, anywhere.

What was your strangest experience with a recent FHA appraisal?