Home inspections...it's all a part of buying or not buying a home. With a short sale or foreclosure there is no seller's disclosure or history of repairs. Here is a funny, but stinky story of what can be found in one of these "bargains"....whew!
As most of us are aware, there is an increased number of short-sale, repos (and the like) on the market right now. When I am called in to do an inspection on one of these types of homes, I am always leary of what I might, or might not, find--that is, some folks can get pretty dang malicious before moving out of a house. I have seen complete kitchens and bathrooms (cabinets and all) ripped out of the house; all the light fixtures and door hardware removed; all the appliances (including the generator and wood stove) taken; all the heat ducts disconnected in the crawlspace; and the list goes on...
I think the nastiest thing I have found so far has been the two full-sized fish that were tossed up into the attic space. When I popped open the attic access lid, I almost fell over from the stench!
When I told my clients about the fish they laughed and said that it explained why the windows were wide open in that bedroom the first time they looked at the house.
This and other similar experiences are making me consider wearing a full rain suit when traversing the attic and crawlspaces. Yuck!
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Jason Aldrich | Owner, Licensed Home Inspector
Aldrich's Home Insepctions, Inc.
Serving the Sequim and Port Angeles Areas
JasonA@Olypen.com
www.AldrichsHomeInspections.com
yuck, that must have been stinky!
Somebody must have been pissed at the owners to put fish in the attic!
UGH!!! That's nasty! I'm so glad I'm not a home inspector. Some of the things they find, see, smell, or crawl into... not worth the money!
Are they ever going to be able to get the smell out of the house? I might have to reconsider buying that property.
That reminds me of the ex-wife who stuffed shrimp in all the curtain rod valances as she was leaving the house behind to hubby and his new wife.
wow! crazy stuff...you should right a book :)
wow! crazy stuff...you should right a book :)
That must have really stunk. I remember in college we used to stick full sardines under dorm doors. that really stunk too
Larry, I remember that story about the shrimp! I can't imagine how bad this smell would be. Another reminder why I'm not a home inspector.
I would never even consider that I might find fish in the attic. Those fishing trips amongst the men can get wild.
WHOA!
Was that a divorce sale?
Our Daughter's first tenant, that she evicted, did this type of thing to her. They hid dead fish in the cupboards!
Hi Lizette! Love that you re-blogged Jason's blog. He's doing a super job in Sequim. And thanks for putting me onto GL.
Eeeeewww. It's amazing to what extent people will go. I think Realtor's and Home Inspectors could write a book on events found in Foreclosures and REO properties. I have seen some pretty scary s**t lately too. The last foreclosed home I was in had dead rats and maggots. I think the fish tops the list on smell though.
Lizette - I have not had dead decomposing fish in a home, yet. I hope I never do.
Lizette,
Glad you re-posted that. Jason is a bright rising star in this field.
Isn't that a mafia thing? Nasty, nasty!