That little thin board is really going to stop that concrete retainer wall from collapsing.   There is nothing like DIY!

I actually had an inspector point out a similar wall in a really cute house that had been renovated by the structural engineer seller.  There was a tree root on the other side of the wall.  My buyers got out of the deal during the inspection contingency period.  Whew!

I saw a 1912 home used before a fraternity home with broom sticks supporting the flooring in the basement.  No nails.

The buyer said what happens to the house after a wild party?  

That is a scary photo. I would be scared to show that house.

Good morning Lise.  Well that would be a deal killer for sure.  Like Michael Thronton said it would cost more than what its worth..

 Good morning Lyn. I have seen this a few times myself. Very scary. We're talking tens of thousands of dollars to fix.

I have to agree !!

That is a problem that is going to happen. Agents and home inspectors really see some pretty amazing things. 

That is HORRIBLE! 

I enjoy reading the blogs from several of the home inspectors here as well, but I've never seen a picture like this!

Thanks for the laughs Lynn, I actually bought a home with a basement like this for 7k about 20 years ago.  Jacked it up replaced the basement and sold it to a friend who loves it.

Lyn,
I sure can’t top that one and hope I never do.

I've never had a nightmare home inspection as hopefully we have seen the most obvious nightmares during the showing.  I've just had nightmare showings of homes.  There was one home that I opened the front door, closed the door and let the clients away.  The smell almost knocked me off my feet.

Love the way they tried to fix it. What a bulge. Wonder if it's mentioned on the property disclosure?

Wow Lyn, I could not stop, I viewed every photo. That cat security system got me laughing.

That is terrible.  Looks like the wall will crumble at anytime.  

I will check them out, that looks like a wall one of my REO listings had a year back, it was a disaster and the buyer knocked it down.

I have seen a few homes just like that here!

The worst one was a vacant home with no power and five feet of water in the basement.

That's a scary photo, Lyn! I or another team member always attends inspections. Sometimes an extra set of eyes notices something that would otherwise be overlooked.

I recall carefully going down the steps in a dark basement and my foot went into water as the basement was fully flooded.

Wow!  Scary picture!  I too enjoy the inspection nightmare blogs.

I too enjoy reading the inspector posts and what they find on a daily basis.

Brave photographer

Lyn - Like Noah Seidenberg I looked through the link you provided -- scary stuff -- I wonder what the seller disclosures look like.   

YIKES! Run AWAY!

Now that is an interesting picture! Thankfully, I haven't come across one of these in one of my inspections.

16 is the best! Eeeeeek!

Lyn Sims it's the individual specialists that are worst, irrigation, drain lines, the roofer, mold, pool, and of course the pest man

Home inspectors are a love hate relationship.  I love that they can be very through.  I hate the way the write things up occasionally.  I try to get a prebrief prior to getting the report so I am better prepared to answer any questions,  

That house is very scary.  One inspection I had on new construction, the heating contractor must not have met the scheduled date.  He broke the roofing trusses apart to install his heating.  Then the heavy tile roof was installed. 

I don't need an inspector to tell me that this house is scary and has major structural problems. I wouldn't have a buyer that would ever make an offer on that.

I have learned a lot at home inspections.  I can't believe some Agents don't attend the inspection.