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A Collectible Only A Home Inspector or Agent Could Love

By Elizabeth Bolton

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA

November 29, 2010 02:03 PM

Vintage metal Rex Water Heater Bank

When I spotted this vintage metal bank in an antiques store on Friday I had to have it.

It's a water heater!

How cool is that? How could a home inspector or real estate agent resist?

This vintage metal miniature Rex water heater bank is from the Cleveland Heater Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. It's about seven inches tall not counting the metal valves on top.

Turns out I'm not the only one intrigued by this miniature copy of an appliance - I found a closed auction online for a Rex water heater bank that sold for more than $450 recently.

The bank was a splurge for me but I feel a lot better about the price after seeing that sale.

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Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

That's very cool, Liz. Bet you are glad to have seen that auction price.

Jeff

Nov 29, 2010 02:41 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Jeff ~ Isn't it neat?! And yes - that price was a big relief. I was holding my breath while looking online - I hadn't expected to find others.

Liz

Nov 29, 2010 02:46 PM

Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh

Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD

A doctor who makes house calls.

$450 wow!!! That's adorable though and all the more attractive now that you know it was a bargain :-)

Nov 29, 2010 03:27 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Stacey-Ann ~ Amazing huh? Bank collectors are really into their hobby. I sold a bank on ebay for $500 or $600 once - and had picked it up for under $20.

Liz

Nov 29, 2010 03:53 PM

Jamie Dumaine-Russell

RE/MAX Alliance - Branford, CT

Liz - That's got to be one of the most unique banks I've ever seen! I woudn't have been able to pass it up either. What a great conversation piece!

Nov 29, 2010 05:11 PM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Liz, how are you???? I have missed you!

Now that is one cool bank...I would not have been able to resist either. Here's to stuffing it with lots of money!

Nov 29, 2010 09:46 PM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

That is a great find. I long to spot something like this at a garage sale!

Nov 30, 2010 01:00 AM

Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain

Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

Liz,

It must be rare. The details on the piping and venting are interesting.

Good "find",

Steve

Nov 30, 2010 01:55 AM

Michelle Gibson

Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL

REALTOR

Liz - Very cool and I'm sure a very rare find.

Nov 30, 2010 04:23 AM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

WOW. That's an awesome collectable. AND you're probably right.. not everyone would appreciate it. Sounds like you got it at a price that makes you even more happy. :)

Nov 30, 2010 01:20 PM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I think it’s very cool. Maybe it’s because I was a home inspector from 2001 to 2005. My other half likes to try to find banks to give to friends when they have a child, but banks are hard to find in the stores here.

Nov 30, 2010 01:35 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Donna ~ It was a must-have as soon as I spotted it. I've played the "if it's meant to be it will still be here next time" game for years but I didn't want to risk it.

Hi Andrea!! I have been on AR sabbatical I guess! Thought there would be a year-end lull but no such luck. And once you fall off the blogging bankwagon it is hard to get back on.

Hi Paul ~ I think of garage sales as the last frontier for antique collecting but real estate has eaten into my garage saling habits.

Hi Steve ~ The lithograph on the body is very nice and I love the "valves" on top.

Hi Michelle ~ It was certainly an unexpected find for me. I was surprised (though ultimately relieved by what I found) when I saw other listings for past sales on the internet. It reminds me of how the invention of ebay changed antiquing in such a big way for me. Everything was findable - and sellable.

Hi Judi ~ I bet some people would look cross-eyed at those of us who think it's nifty. More for me! Ha!

Hi Jim ~ Giving banks to kids is such a cool idea. I love banks - antique and vintage or not so old. I have a particular fondness for the wildly patterned pottery (?) ones from the 60s / 70s - those would be good ones for kids I think.

Liz

Nov 30, 2010 02:18 PM

Judy Jennings

Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA

Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Liz - Great find. How old is that bank?

Nov 30, 2010 11:44 PM

Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ

Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

Liz,

May your commission checks quickly fill your wonderful bank!

Dec 01, 2010 08:10 AM

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ

Broker/Owner

GOOD MORNING LIZ! What a great feeling to have to have something, splurge and then discover it really is a treasure! It is very - well cute! -- Gab

Dec 01, 2010 10:47 PM

Michael Bergin

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA

Northern Virginia Real Estate

How cool is that is right, very nice piece.

Dec 02, 2010 01:36 PM

Karen Kruschka

RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA

- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Liz I'm happy for you and also that I wasn't the one who paid the $450 :)

Dec 04, 2010 10:15 AM

Todd Clark - Retired