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That window box looks beautiful and adds color to the kitchen, but buyers beware!


Flower BoxYou have all seen a flower box in a kitchen window that makes the kitchen come alive with color. But, what you may not know is that if the flower box wasn’t store bought, below there could be some serious hidden problems.

Recently a client of mine was looking at a home and it had one of these indoor flower boxes that looked custom built for this kitchen window. I have to say it made the kitchen look amazing and really brightened it up. My clients loved the home and wanted to write an offer and even made it subject to the flower box staying.

Now, comes time for the inspection. The inspector sees the flower box and looks at me and gives me that worried look. So, he decided to move the flower box just oh so slightly, just enough to see what was going on underneath. Just as the inspector thought, there was so much dry rot underneath that maybe even keeping the flower pot their with that much weight in it could be a mistake.

You see, they had custom built this flower box for the kitchen, but what they forgot to do is put a liner underneath the soil to keep the water from escaping the flower box. Now, this clearly had been going on for a long time. We estimate the repairs that the seller will now have to pay in order for it to close on time could cost upwards of $8,000 because the dry rot ended up going the length of the wall under the house as well as the counter where the flower box sat.

So, if you are installing a flower box, please make sure you have a way to stop the water if something should happen. This could save you thousands in repairs and keep the going to the closing table on time.

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Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

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©2009 Todd Clark - That window box looks beautiful and adds color to the kitchen, but buyers beware!

Comments

Hi Todd~ I have never even thought about a window box being able to cause so much damage because of the moisture! Thanks for pointing out potential problems. Isn't it great that some inspectors are worth their weight in gold?

Posted by Owensboro KY Real Estate Agent Vickie McCartney Realtor Owensboro Ky (Maverick Realty) about 1 year ago

It's a good thing the inspector knew his job! I never would have thought to look! I hope it was resolved and you and your clients were able to move on quickly Todd.

Posted by Wanda Kubat-Nerdin (Prado & Kramer Real Estate, St. George, UT 435.632.9374) about 1 year ago

8K? ouch! What an expensive lesson to learn!

Posted by Barb Szabo E-pro Realtor Cleveland Ohio Homes (RE/MAX Trinity) about 1 year ago

Todd...

Wow, that's a lot of damage. Just how big was that flower box?

Posted by Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate about 1 year ago

It is only after it's too late we find out we made a bad decision and the expense. Thanks for the heads up.

Posted by Terry Bonnie Westbrook Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Real Estate (Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner) about 1 year ago

Todd, this is a  very good tip to remember. I feel so sorry for the sellers...wow 8K.

Posted by Rebecca Gaujot Lewisburg WV Realtor (Coldwell Banker Stuart & Watts Real Estate) about 1 year ago

Ouch exactly. Thank goodness for the keen inspector! It must have been there for a while for that much damage (or maybe it was over watered?) ~Rita

Posted by Kenna Real Estate about 1 year ago

The law of unintended consequences strikes again.  It's in action every where you don't think to look.

Posted by Jim Hale - On the MOVE for You! Eugene - Springfield Oregon Real Estate (ACTIONAGENTS.NET) about 1 year ago

Any attachment that holds water and soil that connects to a home has to be prepared and monitored. It doesn't take much to cause major damage.

Posted by Laura Jefferson (Acquire Real Estate) about 1 year ago

I was amazed at how much damage it caused, but it got behind the wall and behind the sink and they actually had to take the sink out and replace some frame work that had been damaged.

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) (Capstone Real Estate) about 1 year ago

Good to know.  Haven't seen any yet but will definately keep my eye out!

Posted by Bridget Cella, e-Pro Realtor (Re/Max All Pros) about 1 year ago

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