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Would You Show This Home?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

I was searching our MLS for a country property for a client and stumbled upon this listing! I couldn't believe the pictures that I was seeing! When I scrolled through these pictures, my immediate thought was, "No way would I even step foot in a place like this!".

Now, please don't judge me and accuse me of being snobby for not wanting to show this place. But, a picture does tell a story and for me, this story shows way too much evidence that this could be a dangerous place to enter. Here are some of my observations as to an impending danger:

⚠️ The exterior shows a lot of debris and evidence of neglect. The neglect is a huge clue that the interior may not be a safe place to enter. A big part of our job as real estate agents is to be aware of potential hazards.

⚠️ If the interior photos show significant damage and neglect, one can surmise there are potential dangers within. What I see in this picture above provides me with some very troubling clues. That red handprint truly disturbs me. Who knows if it is something sinister but, it freaks me out. Plus, the damage to the wall is evidence of more neglect of this home.

⚠️ From the main picture I used for this post, there appears to be a lot of biohazard materials. GROSS! Not sure what it is but I can tell you that I certainly would not enter an area like this. Breathing in potential bacteria, viruses, and molds is never a good idea. Also, I would not want to risk having my shoes encounter this mess and spread it elsewhere. Yikes.

For me, pulling up this property provides me with more than enough reasons to NOT enter this home. Because the home is out on country property, I would perhaps see the property but would not enter the home. As I said before, pictures are worth a thousand words. These pictures tell the story and from the looks of them, the story is sketchy.

So, would you show this home?

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Comments(14)

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Karl Hadland
Karl Hadland - Northwest Home Team, Re/Max Whatcom County - Bellingham, WA
Real estate agent in Bellingham

Hi! I'd show the house if I had a client interested. But I'd make sure they had the means to buy the home first. It looks like this home won't pass appraisal with a typical loan most likely. The good news about a manufactured home is there is not much above you, no attic space so if something was coming down it likely would have already. Just be safe!

Jan 17, 2025 08:08 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Regarding that manufactured home in such a mess, I would just doze it down.

Jan 18, 2025 06:34 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Scary yes, signs of violence. However these flipper investors seem to LOVe beat up houses at a below market price. This seller may really want to sell. 

Jan 17, 2025 09:53 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Yes, scary signs of violence! Wowzer for sure.

Jan 18, 2025 06:34 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!😗😗

 

Jan 17, 2025 11:02 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Exactly, Aura!

Jan 18, 2025 06:34 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I have shown homes like that and worse. If a client was looking for a similar home/property then yes. I'd wear appropriate footwear, maybe use shoe covers, and possibly wear gloves and a mask so I'm not breathing stuff in. If the mold smell was too prevalent, I'd have to go outside and let them finish looking around,.

Jan 18, 2025 04:55 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

I did my fair share in the Houston market after the crash. I endured a lot of really disgusting homes.

Jan 18, 2025 06:35 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, enjoy your weekend, and here's a GOOD LUCK to your favorite Football Team of the ones that are remaining! Bill

Bill Salvatore / Arizona Elite Properties

Jan 18, 2025 04:57 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thanks, Bill. We are looking forward to some fun football games this weekend and on Monday night.

Jan 18, 2025 06:35 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Paula - a picture is worth a thousand words, right?  So are situations and circumstances beyond a picture.  "It Depends" comes to mind.  

Jan 18, 2025 05:12 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Makes me think of, "Breaking Bad" on this one, Michael.

Jan 18, 2025 06:36 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Paula... to answer your question: "not bloody likely in this lifetime."

Jan 18, 2025 05:29 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Ha ha, Nina - my feelings exactly!

Jan 18, 2025 06:36 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That certainly should have been cleaned up before putting it on the market.  It seems dangerous to even enter a home like that since it looks like one of the homes I see on tv where meth was being produced, haha.

Jan 18, 2025 05:37 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

That is highly likely with the coverings of plastic in the windows. If that is the case then never should anyone without a hazmat suit enter.

Jan 18, 2025 06:37 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Paula, I have an investor that would LOVE this house.  I always say, if you feel like you need a shower after showing, THAT is the right house for him.  

Jan 18, 2025 07:38 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello, Dr. Paula McDonald I am with Kat Palmiotti on this.  

#1 this home is an investor's dream. Ideally, investors want homes like this "off market". 

Back in the REO and short sale market, I did enter homes like this and worse. I wore protective boots, eyewear, N-95 masks, and got in and got out as quickly as possible. 

Some smelled so bad my clients and I ran back out of the house. The stench was so bad it made our eyes water.  

I have hundreds of photos taken while in homes like the photo you share. Thankfully, I do not do so often.  

 

Jan 18, 2025 08:23 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

FEATURED IN CRAP-TACULAR

 

Unfortunately

Mr. Crappy &

I Have Been in

Similar Homes.

💩💩

💩

 

 

Jan 18, 2025 08:25 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Oh man this is a total flipper kind of house.  But not me!   I've bought a few over the years that needed work but never one like this or a manufactured home either. As for showing, there were a few back in the foreclosure days that I wanted to take a shower after we got out of there.......and my investors did too.  No thanks.

Jan 18, 2025 11:20 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

It's crucial to listen to your instincts when it comes to safety in real estate, Dr. Paula McDonald, and your insights on assessing risks are incredibly valuable! I'd definitely share your concerns – and after taking a close look, I'd have to agree, it's just not worth the risk of stepping foot in this property, and I'd advise my clients to exercise caution as well!

Jan 18, 2025 11:56 AM
Jim Smith
The Property Management Company - Round Rock, TX
Broker,CRS,GRI,RMP,CNE,TRLP

You shared the photos, but you did not share the rest of the story. What did the remarks state? I, and others, often acquire distressed properties to renovate, tear-down and build, or to remove because of the land value.  I love running across these types of properties because most agents won't touch them, making it a better investment opportunity.  publishing the photos of the 'as-is' condition is also a risk-reduction step: the agent/person seeing the photos will know what to expect should they decide to visit.

Jan 21, 2025 07:41 AM