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Picture of the Week: What's Missing?

By Michael S. Bolton

Real Estate Appraiser with Michael S. Bolton,Inc.

September 30, 2011 09:44 AM

This is a kitchen of a duplex I recently appraised; can you tell me what’s wrong with this picture? Hint: every kitchen should have one.

Yes-believe it or not this rental unit has no kitchen sink. This is also a sale, so I’m not sure why anyone would think that this wouldn’t be an appraisal issue. By not addressing this before having the appraisal done only creates suspicion as to what else might be wrong with the property. If you ever have a situation like this and your wondering what to do, please call me! A phone call costs nothing, but it’s priceless!

If you have any questions, or real estate appraisal needs (divorce, bankruptcy, tax appeal, or estate planning) please contact Michael at 612.599-2581, or use the form on the contact page.

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Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Michael, at least I saw a spigot for running water. I can see the listing remarks, "Does not include the kitchen sink."

Oct 01, 2011 02:18 AM

S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL

United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL

Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

It amazes me what some people are willing to tolerate or find acceptable. This reminds me of a summer when I was probably 19 or 20 years old when my best friend and I went searching for a summer rental at a beach town and one of the properties we were shown had a shower... but it was an outside shower in a little shack that you could only access by running across to the back of the backyard. What's next, an outhouse? Another rental was a room so small that the only way you could access the bathroom was to literally crawl over the bed. Did I tell you that even those rentals were pretty darn expensive considering what they offered?

Oct 01, 2011 02:22 AM

Alan Kent

Keller Williams Realty Lake Oconee - Greensboro, GA

Lake Oconee Real Estate

I don't see this as an issue, since Kramer proved on Seinfeld that you can use the shower....

Oct 01, 2011 02:39 AM

Michael S. Bolton

Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

MN Appraiser

Scott G-I know with the REO appraisals I do, I run across some strange things, I can only imagine Realtors that specialize in that type of work. Good Luck!

Michael S-Yes, I'm sure when they turn it on they have their own indoor water fountain.

Leanne-I'm so glad you brought up an "outhouse", you jogged my memory for another great story-stay tuned! Thanks

Alan-That's great! Do the dishes while you're in the shower, only Kramer would think of that! Would hate to be stepping on left over spaghetti noodles though, would feel like worms.

Oct 01, 2011 02:53 AM

Jennifer Chiongbian

Specializing in all types of Manhattan apts & townhouses - Manhattan, NY

Real Estate Broker - NYC

That house smells like a disaster al ready! Maybe the tenants felt that they could wash their dishes in the bath tub like someone I know in the city!

Oct 01, 2011 03:41 AM

Richie Alan Naggar

people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA

agent & author

I was going to guess ventilation...You see that is why I don't do well on game shows either...but at least I play

Oct 01, 2011 03:46 AM

Michael S. Bolton

Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

MN Appraiser

Jennifer C-You know someone who washes their dishes in tub? Very interesting.......

Richie-You're a good sport!

Oct 01, 2011 04:08 AM

Robert Hammerstein -

Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ

Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Michael - You just never know what you will come across these days... Amazing that you can try to sell without a kitchen sink... Unreal....

Oct 01, 2011 05:30 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

How does one live in a home without a kitchen sink? I did it for a short period during a kitchen remodel and it was agony.

Oct 01, 2011 06:13 AM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Michael, Just when we think you have seen it all ... we realize we havn't. It is truly amazing what we see in this market.

Oct 01, 2011 07:54 AM

Rosalie Evans

Meritus Group Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD

The Evans Group, Sioux Falls, SD Homes For Sale

What do they wash their dishes in the bathtub. OH my that gives me flashbacks of remodeling! That sucked so bad! Hope you are having a good weekend!

Oct 01, 2011 08:39 AM

Maureen McCabe

HER Realtors - Columbus, OH

Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I've never seen a home without a kitchen sink. I was worried a few years ago about a house that the seller ripped out the tub or shower in the master bath. She ran out of money, lost her job. I was just afraid we would run into an appraisal problem. It still had a bath tub in the hall bath. Just a big ugly in the back of the master, no bath tub, no shower stall. I guess the appraiser just looked at it as a 1/2 bath

Oct 01, 2011 10:23 AM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Michael - What's that saying, everything but the kitchen sink? Well there it went.

Oct 01, 2011 10:30 AM

Michael S. Bolton

Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

MN Appraiser

Roberta & Lisa-It doesn't matter how many years you've been in the real estate business, I guess you're never going to see it all.

Tammie-I went a short time without a bathroom for a remodel, had to use a neighbors portable; not much fun!

Kathleen-That's why I like this business, it's always something different.

Rosalie-Thanks! You have a great weekend also!

Maureen-Many times as long as there is another bath somewhere else in the house, most underwriters will let if fly, or maybe the appraiser had only one eye open. :)

Christine-That's what's so great about this picture, or situation. You can buy all of this, except for the kitchen sink! Thanks!

Oct 01, 2011 01:40 PM

Sandy Acevedo

951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA

RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

I was going to say a stove. I did not notice the sink, but is there a stove?

Oct 01, 2011 03:53 PM

Michael S. Bolton

Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

MN Appraiser

Sandy-Yes, there was a stove. You can barely see it in the picture. Thanks!

Oct 01, 2011 11:05 PM

Chuck Carstensen

RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN

Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

Good job again on this one! You are a superstar already. Next speech will have you talking about blogging.

Oct 02, 2011 04:42 AM

Michael S. Bolton

Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

MN Appraiser

Chuck-You're too kind, I appreciate that. Your success with blogging has been very inspiring and motivating forr me! Thanks!

Oct 02, 2011 05:00 AM

Pam Graham

All Real Estate Options - Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, Clay & St Johns Counties

I've never come across a missing sink before. I've seen missing appliances, including the stove. I guess this kitchen comes with everything but the kitchen sink! ;)

Oct 02, 2011 07:54 AM

Michael S. Bolton

Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

MN Appraiser

Pam-That's what so ironic about the picture. Thanks!

Oct 02, 2011 09:31 AM