Special offer

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

The inspector actually showing up on time..... LOL

Nov 21, 2015 07:48 PM
Ambassador
1,452,669
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

A circus "clown car" exploding with uninvited family members wanting to be involved!!

Nov 21, 2015 11:46 PM
Rainmaker
530,966
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

I have seen a lot of strange things but the strangest was a carpeted room -- and under the carpet was a dirt floor -- no concrete or  wood or anything  -- only dirt.

Nov 22, 2015 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Duct tape holding faulty supply-side plumbing together. What were they thinking?

Nov 21, 2015 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,345
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
  • No  gas on in the house, went out to the meter and it was completely dis connected, but dry-fit-assembled to look like it was in tact.
  • A garden hose for a kitchen faucet coming through the wall from the yard.
  • Lots of really, really bad DIY projects.
  • A cool room hidden behind a bookcase and another time I found one that was through the back of a master bedroom walk-in closet.
  • More than one occasion, once in SF and once here in SD, (let's keep it PG-13) and just say some very adult play-rooms: rooms converted with a very specific purpose and the equipment to film that purpose.
  • Tell us your top 5 Michael Thornton 

 

Nov 21, 2015 10:01 PM
Rainer
61,641
Renee Paray
Coldwell Banker Realty - Blue Bell, PA
REALTOR

sewage being discharged out of a clogged pipe under a crawl space in the kitchen. 

Nov 21, 2015 08:08 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't typically attend home inspections, so can't really think of anything.

Nov 21, 2015 07:58 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,347
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

A jacuzzi tub next to a raised circular bed, that rotated, in the middle of the master bedroom!

Nov 21, 2015 07:45 PM
Rainer
57,189
Jack Gerbehy
Egg Harbor Township, NJ

a huge, well form stone pit, I assumed it was a well of some type back in the day.... but it was right in the middle of a patio ad just covered with a piece of tin roof. it reminded me of the 'Silance of The Lambs" pit, we might have photos?

Nov 21, 2015 07:29 PM
Rainmaker
282,018
Nancy Robinson Ranked #6 in MI
Century 21 Town and Country - Royal Oak, MI
#11 Century21 Realtor in the US, #16 in the World

The inspector insisting that he try the microwave to see if it worked and then eating  his freshly popped popcorn for the rest of the inspection.

And one inspector with a gun holstered on his belt. 

But what I really think is the oddest is when buyers pass on getting the house inspected.

Nov 28, 2015 08:33 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Michael,
In new construction plumbing video checks, we have pulled out a softball, pliers, and a soda can.

Nov 23, 2015 09:58 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

A red neck tenant showing up at the door with a shotgun aimed at me and the home inspector.  It was in downtown DC, too!  Guess he didn't want to move.

Nov 23, 2015 12:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Michael. I always get a kick out of repairs or renovations that are done by the homeowner. Some of the photos and descriptions are just crazy.

Nov 22, 2015 05:24 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

The mother of the owner (an agent) having sex in the vacant home and they wouldn't leave...

Nov 22, 2015 03:14 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I saw a heavy duty extension cord leading from the house to the detached garage workshop and the garage was full of outlets around the walls. Yikes.

Nov 22, 2015 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,577,943
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

An electrical junction box that was sitting next to another new one...seems someone just moved wires for no reason.

Nov 22, 2015 07:36 AM
Rainmaker
900,108
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Exposed external septic pipes in an area, where temperatures could go below -10 degrees.

Nov 22, 2015 06:34 AM
Ambassador
6,392,929
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Very strange and frightening artwork, made me really wonder about the occupants.

Nov 22, 2015 02:57 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I dug well with a snake floating in it. 

Nov 22, 2015 02:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Michael Thornton A swimming pool where there literally hundreds of little green frogs swimming around.

Nov 22, 2015 01:27 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

wiring spliced with the old wiring from an iron (as in a clothing iron!!!)

Nov 22, 2015 01:25 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have not seen any strange things. 

Nov 22, 2015 12:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,917
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Two things quickly came to mind:

Not sure if it was strange or not but an inspector at a listing(not my buyer) didn't bring a ladder to a multi-story home.   

Another time(also a listing where the buyer's agent nor buyer showed up) -- the inspector told me --- don't worry -- this is a piece of cake -- I'll be out of here in less than 20 minutes and he was.   You can believe I kept his card to remember that conversation and never refer him to any of my buyer clients.  

Nov 22, 2015 12:20 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

A bunker in the back yard that could have withstood most anything.  Was equipped with water and air pipes.

Nov 21, 2015 11:59 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

A dog going for a swim in the pool

Nov 21, 2015 10:55 PM
Rainer
183,407
Judith Sinnard
SMARTePLANS; Houston, Texas - Houston, TX
The SMARTePLAN Lady

I'm still puzzled over a whole-house back-up generator with a natural gas feed installed INSIDE a 2-car garage???

I second the proposal by Thomas Nelson: Tell us your top 5 Michael Thornton 

Nov 21, 2015 10:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Let me get a cup of brew and ponder this one.  So many years, so many crazy things.

Nov 21, 2015 10:45 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,323
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I am not sure about strange but I have seen dead cats and flooded basements.

Nov 21, 2015 09:32 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,595
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

What is your most unusual sighting? 

Nov 21, 2015 09:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,333
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

A water heater installed with a door opening to it (not vented) in a small utility area with a washer and dryer blocking getting to the water heater!!

Nov 21, 2015 08:31 PM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Usually it is DIY plumbing or electrical projects.

Nov 21, 2015 08:21 PM