CHAPTER 4 Real Estate Horror Stories to Learn from (And How to Avoid Becoming One)
You’ve seen the frightening stories on TV or overheard them from neighbors, but maybe you’ve never experienced one yourself. Be warned: the first time is one time too many. Congratulations—you’re in the market for a new home! Whether it’s your first, third, or fifteenth, buying a house is an enormous accomplishment. Unfortunately, home buyers—especially first-timers—can be unwitting victims in real estate horror stories that would make even Stephen King shiver. Let me share some cautionary tales and help you steer clear of the pitfalls. The Snake House Saga Let’s start with Ben and Amber, who thought they’d struck gold with a five-bedroom charmer on pastoral acreage. It seemed like the perfect nest for their growing family—until they realized it was already occupied. Hundreds of garter snakes slithered beneath the walls, returning each winter to their cozy hibernation spot. At night, the couple would lie awake, listening to the walls crawl. Their dream home turned into a horror movie, complete with a scene where Ben killed 42 snakes in one day . The couple eventually fled, filing for bankruptcy and leaving behind their nightmare. 17
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