I work with a lot of buyers from out of state. A large percentage of them ask for a home with a walkout basement. It is obvious that many of these buyers do not need the basement for the space. They are wanting shelter from tornados.
I recently worked with some buyers who had a basement home as their #1 criteria. Several months into the process, it was obvious that the only homes we were going to find that fit all of their other criteria were not going to have basements. We finally found one home that both husband and wife loved. The only problem...it didn't have a basement.
The husband finally asked me: "Aren't you worried about tornadoes?"
My response: "Not really. I suppose I'm used to them."
I'm a native in the Springfield/Ozark area. I have grown up around tornados and tornado warnings. (Knock on wood) I've not been blown away yet. Tornados are a part of life to natives of our area. I am actually more afraid of hurricanes and earthquakes, probably because I've never experienced one. I think our fears are rooted in what we are unfamiliar with.
As we sat down to write an offer, imagine my surprise when I pulled the Seller's Disclosures to find in big print at the top, "EXTENSIVE REMODELING IN 2006 DUE TO TORNADO DAMAGE." Hmmm. Great. My clients fears are justified. The husband asked HOW MUCH damage was done. A call to the listing agent confirmed that $120,000 worth of damage was done to the home. Since this home didn't have a basement, my clients wanted to know if the sellers were home when the tornado hit, and where they were in the house. The listing agent encouraged us to call the seller directly. Here's how the conversation went.
Me: Were you home at the time of the tornado?
Seller: Yes.
Me: Where were you in the house?
Seller: Well, my wife was in the hall bathroom, and I was on the front porch. The tornado hit about 1:00 a.m., and it was pitch black outside. We heard on the radio reports that the tornado was headed straight towards our home. I stood on our front porch for about 10 minutes. Finally, a bolt of lightening lit up the sky, and I could see it right across the street. My wife yelled, "Hurry up, it's coming." I turned and started for the hall bathroom and yelled, "No, it's here!" and barely got the door shut before the dining room windows broke.
Neither of the sellers were injured. Fortunately, their homeowners insurance paid for the damage, and the wife was thrilled that she was actually able to make numerous other upgrades throughout the home with the money they received from insurance.
After we hung up the phone, my client looked at me very seriously and said, "I can't buy that home. I don't believe the seller is in his right mind, and believe he is incapable of making any decisions regarding any contracts." My client honestly believed the sellers were mentally ill.
Maybe we are crazy. As I am writing this, there is a tornado warning in my area. The tornado sirens are on, and the electricity is flickering on and off. Me....I'm in my garage in a lawn chair with my laptop. As I peek out the garage door, I can see people standing in front of nearly every home down my street. What are they doing? Watching for the tornado....of course.
If you are thinking of moving to Springfield, Missouri, and have a fear of tornados, consider buying a walkout basement home. However, if a basement is not in your budget, visit Missouri Storm Shelters. For $3,500 you can have an inground concrete shelter installed....a price that costs much less than a basement home.
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