Selling an old house is rarely smooth, but one Reddit user recently found just how quickly excitement can turn into stress. Posting in r/RealEstate, a user shared the rollercoaster experience of selling a 120-plus-year-old home in what seemed like an ideal market.
"We got a cash offer 1.5 weeks after listing," they wrote. "This house is well taken care of, but it's also 120+ years old."
The Inspection Curveball
Everything was on track until the inspection report came in. What seemed like a great deal suddenly felt daunting.
The findings? Bats in the attic, mold growth, a roof leak, and what an inspector described as a "collapsed" sewer pipe. "I feel absolutely deflated," the seller wrote. "I have no idea what to do."
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Worse, the seller had already put about $80,000 into the property over the years, including $10,000 in sewer work just three years ago. That sewer line was scoped back then and deemed in good shape, and a tree causing root damage had already been removed.
The idea that the pipe could now be collapsed felt unbelievable. "We are going to contact the company that did the work," the seller wrote, clearly frustrated.
The community was quick to respond with advice and reassurance. "Get your own scope done and a roofer on the case before you respond," one real estate agent wrote. Others emphasized that this kind of inspection report is actually pretty standard for homes this old.
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The Bat Problem
One unexpected complication was the bats.
"Bats are protected," a commenter pointed out. You can't just remove them whenever you want—it must be done by licensed wildlife professionals, often at specific times of the year to avoid separating mothers from their pups.
Another added, "We've had bats in our attic and the pest company put in little one-way doors over any assumed entry points so bats could fly out but not in. Worked well. The first remediation cost about $1,000. Annual checkups are around $250."
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Now What?
Many advised the seller to stay calm, focus on gathering estimates, and negotiate fairly with the buyer. Some suggested offering a credit at closing instead of doing all the repairs themselves.
Fix what you need to fix before relisting, one commenter said. "Relisting is somewhat of a red flag to future buyers."
Another summed it up: "Offer a repair credit or tell them to take it or leave it. You'll find another buyer. Stay calm and make a business decision, not a personal one."
Fortunately, a second opinion brought relief: a $250 roto-rooter visit showed the sewer line was fine. Just some roots. "Getting documentation for the buyer," the seller updated later.
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