Sinking House?

By
Real Estate Agent with Kim Wilbourn Realty

 

 Sinking House in Madision AL

There is a house located in Madison, AL that is sinking? WHAT? Yes you heard me sinking! Evidently the house was built on top of a cavern that no one was aware of, and there is nothing that they can do about it. The insurance will not pay! For the insurance company to pay they would have had this option added extra on their policy? Would we every think of this?Nobody would ever expect this to happen, and I deeply feel for the people.

City engineers are setting up seismographs to check to see the movement of the cavern. It shifted even the sidewalk in front of the house. The couple bought the house only 3 months ago, and now they have 2 mortgage payments, and paying rent.

This would be a great time to think about our insurance policies!

Let's pray for this family! I believe if they keep their faith they will stay a float.

 

Comments (12)

Chris Dowell
ReeceNichols Olathe - Olathe, KS
Dowell Family Team
What a sad situation. How old is the home?
Dec 04, 2007 09:16 PM
Kim Wilbourn
Kim Wilbourn Realty - Scottsboro, AL
Your Local Alabama REALTOR
I know it is terrible. I believe the home is around 3 years old, and none of the other homes in the subdivision are affected right now. Just this home.
Dec 04, 2007 09:18 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI
Is the insurance company saying we need a "sink hole" rider?   Hogwash!!   I would talk to the states insurance regulator about this one.  How horrible for this family!
Dec 04, 2007 09:39 PM
Kim Wilbourn
Kim Wilbourn Realty - Scottsboro, AL
Your Local Alabama REALTOR
Yes the insurance company said they had to choose the sink hole option. This is horrible for them. The house has shifted,and cracked.
Dec 04, 2007 09:41 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Agent

I bought a sinking house once.  It was sinking in the middle and the owners kept addin drywall under the baseboard as more sag showed.  The old baseboard was in place and the wall looked like it was smiling.  It was rediculous  --  bulldozer it down.

It was caused by no pilings in the center of the house foundation and it was built near water.

Dec 04, 2007 09:51 PM
Kim Wilbourn
Kim Wilbourn Realty - Scottsboro, AL
Your Local Alabama REALTOR

Wow! That is terrible for you. Hope everthing worked out. I have heard of builders filling in ponds, and then they start sinking also.

Dec 04, 2007 09:53 PM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Mililani, HI
Hawaii REALTOR, (808) 384-5645
We have had several similar problems with shifting soils in a few cases.  Not a nice place to be for the home owners.
Dec 04, 2007 10:17 PM
Robert Huntsinger
Empire Realty - Upland, CA
Empire Realty Upland, CA - Full Service at a Discount

If the insurance company is not going to be willing to cover something as odd as this I would think that the house needs a lightning strike, put up lightning rods and don't fix that gas leak.  OH NOOOOO Did I say that. HEHE

Take care!

RJH

Dec 04, 2007 10:49 PM
Vincent McKamy
Samson Properties - Fredericksburg, VA
Realtor Fredericksburg Virginia
I agree with Kris - I would take this to the state insurance board.  I can't believe there is an additional rider for just that.  Good Luck
Dec 04, 2007 10:55 PM
DDR Realty
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
Orange County NY
This is very unfortunate, but who would have thought of a rear event like that to occur. It is truly sad.
Dec 04, 2007 11:15 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection
Kim- That's horrible, someones dream went up in smokes.  Good advice to checkout the insurance policy to see what's covered.
Dec 08, 2007 05:59 AM
Kim Wilbourn
Kim Wilbourn Realty - Scottsboro, AL
Your Local Alabama REALTOR

Update on house-engineers are looking at the house to see if it can be moved, and be a safe home to live in with fixing where it cracked. I wonder if the whole foundation cracked though?

Dec 10, 2007 08:22 AM

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?