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A Home Inspection and a Boat Sinking

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty 2021016812

In the real estate business you never know what to expect.  Every transaction has unique challenges and twists.  The other day, I added another new experience to the list. 

My buyers' home inspection included the fire department coming out to assist the tenant whose boat sunk at the dock.

B - Bring

O - Out

A - Another

T -  Thousand

I arrived at the home to see a boat coming down the canal that was listing really bad to one side.  The occupants were leaning out trying to balance the boat.  They came up to the boat dock at the home we were there to inspect and yelled for help.  The home inspector and I jumped on the boat to add weight.  After a lot of scrambling, to get the bilge pumps working, bailing water and unloading gear, the stern went down.  Fortunately the water was shallow enough that the stern and engines hit bottom, while keeping the top of the stern at the water level and the bow out of the water.

After several attempts to bail and pump out the water, the fire department was called.  They brought with them a lot of experience and a larger pump.  About three hours later they had the boat floated.  The folks at the Honolulu Fore Department are truly an amazing bunch.

I feel bad for the tenant who will be spending a lot of time and money getting the engines back in working order after sitting in the salt water for about 4 hours. 

Before anyone asks, the home inspector was able to do a thorough home inspection despite the unexpected distractions.

Posted by

 

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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®

Broker-in-Charge, ABR, AHWD, CRB, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, MRP, SFR

eXp Realty

Team Leader - "The Prothero Group"

Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers.  His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.  His luxury home listings sell faster and for more money.

Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) Performs mediations and ombudsman services for the Board of Realtors.  To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents. 

www.HawaiiRandy.comOahu (Honolulu County) Property Search  Hawaii Military Relocations

Comments(5)

Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS

An interesting twist to a home inspection - can't say that has happened to me too many times at my home inspections.

Jul 04, 2011 12:41 AM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Wow, I can't say we have anything that exciting happen here. I'm glad to hear the inspector was still able to finish the inspection.

Jul 04, 2011 02:39 AM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

Carol - Definitely a first for me.

Carla - The home inspector is a real pro.

Jul 07, 2011 05:38 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Randy,  Funny story unless you happen to be the boat owner.  My neighbor keeps his boat on a lift but lowered it without checking the drain plugs.  Yup, next morning found it resting peacefully on the bottom of the canal with only the short wave antennae above water !  Not cheap to raise and fix this sort of thing !

Jul 08, 2011 03:04 AM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

Bill - Boat ownership is expensive when there are no problems.  I hate to guess what this cost.

Jul 08, 2011 08:14 PM