Serendipity.
Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
11–20 of 162 posts
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#12How? It was accessible through a door. Nobody - not the seller, agent, himself or any other prospective buyers, or the building inspector he presumably engaged to check the place over before signing contracts - thought to look behind the door? How can you buy a house without checking out the foundations/basement yourself or by a pro?
I guess the seller didn't want complications and the agent just lists what they're told about, wouldn't check for anything unexpected. Surveyors are commonly disappointingly trusting of handwaving and the buyer didn't have the experience to think to check.
A whimsical tale of dishonesty, laziness and incompetence. Merry fucking Christmas
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#13“Honey, look at this massive model train network that just happened to be in our basement!”
No mention of the stacks of niche magazines though
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#14How? It was accessible through a door. Nobody - not the seller, agent, himself or any other prospective buyers, or the building inspector he presumably engaged to check the place over before signing contracts - thought to look behind the door? How can you buy a house without checking out the foundations/basement yourself or by a pro?
It's really a shame too. If the realtor found that prime basement living space beforehand they could've tripled the sale price!!
(A joke but also not really because housing prices here in Australia are absolutely insane)
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#15How? It was accessible through a door. Nobody - not the seller, agent, himself or any other prospective buyers, or the building inspector he presumably engaged to check the place over before signing contracts - thought to look behind the door? How can you buy a house without checking out the foundations/basement yourself or by a pro?
All the home inspectors I looked at (Victoria, where this house is, plus Tasmania) were all quite clear that they would only access areas they could find a way in. Closed up areas, wouldn't be inspected by default.
In fact things like attic hatches are supposed to be sealed ane so even though seen the inspector is not allowed in the attic. (Unless there is other evedence of a problem, though they need to repair the seal in that case.
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#16How? It was accessible through a door. Nobody - not the seller, agent, himself or any other prospective buyers, or the building inspector he presumably engaged to check the place over before signing contracts - thought to look behind the door? How can you buy a house without checking out the foundations/basement yourself or by a pro?
Most old houses in Aus are just assumed to be complete shit so why waste money on an inspection to tell you what you already know. All the value is in the land.
If the house collapses that's a good thing because then the heritage protections are gone and you can build something better. The property value probably goes up if the old workers hut falls over.
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#17“Honey, look at this massive model train network that just happened to be in our basement!”
Exactly! This basement could be an antique roadshow’s dream
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#18This is fantastic. But wow, the home inspector was really phoning it in that day!
Our inspector missed obvious asbestos in the basement — I would have preferred the model trains!
Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
All the home inspectors I looked at (Victoria, where this house is, plus Tasmania) were all quite clear that they would only access areas they could find a way in. Closed up areas, wouldn't be inspected by default.
In fact things like attic hatches are supposed to be sealed ane so even though seen the inspector is not allowed in the attic. (Unless there is other evedence of a problem, though they need to repair the seal in that case.
Why is that? That seems odd.