Those of us who are in real estate run into things all the time. Head scratchers, head shakers, things that can scare the heck out of just about anyone. Of course we do see some things that make us happy, that put a smile on our faces, make us feel good all over, possibly even a bit on the envious side.
This post is about the first description. I won't tell you what it is, but I can tell you that this is something very real and kind of important to a house. However, you usually won't see one that looks like this. (This was at a listing my buyers are in the process of buying.)
Take your best shot! What the heck is this anyway? And believe me, it is also a real real estate moment in time I will not soon forget! And whatever it is, it is proof positive that you don't take the word of the seller for the condition of anything. (I am counting on some of my inspector-type friends to get this right, maybe)
Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County Real Estate
2017 President, Greater New Milford Board of Realtors
2017 Connecticut Magazine 5 Star Realtor
Search homes for sale in Litchfield County, CT.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Litchfield County Regional Office,375 Danbury Rd, New Milford, CT 06776
© Andrea Swiedler 2009 - 2017
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain
I don't know what it is, but it does look interesting...
David, LOL, it looks scary to me, don't know about interesting, LOL.
Don't know what it is, but it certainly looks disgusting.
Good evening, Andrea. It almost looks like bark falling off a tree and you captured it at an exact time...
Leslie, that is a great analogy!
Michael... uh... nope....
Hi Andrea, looks like a very rusty piece of an old tin roof. Hope it didn't fall on you.
Hi Al & Peggy!!!!! I have missed you! Nope, not an old tin roof. Sorry....
Andrea, it definitely looks like a rusted piece of metal, and no matter where it belongs on the house, it shouldn't be in that condition.
crusty sewage seepage from a crawl space??
Ed, well, you are right about that, LOL.
Tammy, closest yet!
I am going to go with old oil tank or the insides of an old boiler
Santa got stuck in the chimney on his way down and now, years later, is released, just in time to bring joy and glee to all on Christmas Eve?
Andrea: I am going to guess gutters and the downspouts have been spread somehow from not being cleaned as they needed to be...Just a guess!
Andrea, It looks like an beaten and battered asphalt shingle, to me. But I can't tell from the photo whether the item is rigid or flexible.
It looks like rusted metal, I'm going to guess a rusted septic tank Andrea.
Good morning, Andrea. It almost looks to be what is left of a rusted tank of some type or layers of sediment that have congealed. The photo lacks a lot of definition so it is hard to tell...
We have a winner!!!!!! Tom got it right!
It is was the septic tank!!!! The property had an inground oil tank which had been allowed to sit for 30 years without any attention, with oil in it. The oil tank leaked, when the company went to pull the oil tank they had to pull the septic tank because they were right next to each other. We knew the septic system had to be replaced after the septic inspection, but this was just unbelievable when we actually saw the tank as it came out of the ground and disintegrated!
And no one knew so we were told.
We knew that there were issues, this deal has been such a nightmare for my buyers. They deserve the good buyer award of the year. We also found the tub drained right into the basement...
And yes, the house was in use.
PS, Our very own Jim Quarello inspected this house for my clients, I hope he stops by, he will get a laugh out of this find!!!!
Hi Andrea. Yes this was an interesting inspection to say the least. All I can say is WOW! That tank looks pretty similar to the furnace :) The buyers are super nice people. Good thing they are patient.
Good thing you had James on the job Andrea! And good thing you have wonderful buyers who are well deserving of your "Good Buyer of the Year" award!
Jim, they are more than patient. We knew that the septic system was in bad shape, Dennis had told them they would have to replace it asap, but that is almost laughable....
Craig, it was interesting to say the least, LOL.
Wow the rust and decay on that piece is atrocious from a septic system! Are they going ahead with this purchase??
Andrea,
I was thinking cistern or septic.....
Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO
Wow - my first thought was something buried for a long time...and an oil tank definitely fits the bill - thanks so much for sharing the picture and getting us all into the spirit of the game (and a reminder to ensure all buyers understand the value of a good home inspection!)
Andrea, I never would have guessed. I guess there really were issues with that house. Thanks for sharing.