How Mike Holmes and Damon Saved a Flipped House from Disaster! | Holmes Inspection 104

Comments · 470

• SC

  @scootertramp4355 · 3 years ago

  A few years ago I sold my later mothers home off for &quot;lot value&quot; only. There were some complaints from the purchaser but I pointed out that it was stated clearly it was for lot value only and if they were that bent on bringing it back up to standard it was their problem. A couple of months later one of the neighbours called me and told me that the house had just been listed for sale. I checked and sure enough it was listed and they were actually having an open house on the following Saturday. Out of curiosity I attended the open house and it was very apparent to me that they had concealed a great many things that did not meet code, which is why I sold it as a derelict to be demolished. I talked to the neighbour who had called me and let her know that if the new owners had any trouble at all they could call me since I knew where the bodies were buried. <br>It didn&apos;t take very long before I got a call. The new owners were having water problems and a few electrical issues. So I went to the house and did a walk through with them and told them what they would likely find if they opened up certain walls. I also asked if they had been given a copy of the sewage line video that had been made just before I listed it and they said no they hadn&apos;t. I asked if they had been informed that there were problems with the line and the folks who snaked it and made the video (which I still had the invoice for) said it had a life expectancy of about five years before it would need replacement. &nbsp;Again, they said no they had no idea. The few issues they were having with electrical all stemmed back to some wiring my step father had done years before which was very questionable. When I went to look for the junction box in located in the basement ceiling I could not find it because it had been covered over with drywall. There was another location I could look from and when I looked, the box was still there with it&apos;s rats nest of wiring. I asked if they had had a home inspection and they said yes and the report stated that with the exception of a few things, the home was good to go.<br>When I was done they asked what I would do about the problems if it were me. I told them I would get a lawyer and go from there. Check for building permits to start with along with inspection reports. I suggested that they get some qualified people in to do further inspections on suspect things. I also told them that if they wished I would do a walk through with the inspectors. A few weeks later the lawyer called me and asked if we could set up a meet with the third party inspector they were hiring. The meeting was set up and I walked the inspector through the house and told him what I knew to be problems before the &quot;renovations&quot; had been done. He had some inspection cameras and while I was there he drilled a few hole to see what was concealed within the walls and ceilings. The pictures showed pretty much what I had told him had been there including some structural changes that were questionable and none of it had been fixed or changed to meet code. Needless to say the new owners were not at all happy with the results and I also gave them a copy of the video of the sewer line and what was found along with a copy of the invoice that clearly stated a life expectancy estimated at five years before replacement.<br>A couple of months later I received a subpoena to appear in court as a witness for the plaintiffs being the new owners. I appeared and testified as to what I knew to be wrong with the house. By the time the case was tried several things came out. <br>First, the real estate agent who had handled both ends of the sale from the lister to the buyer was an actual partner in the firm that had done the renovations. This had not been disclosed.<br>Second, there had been no permits filed or issued for nor were there any subsequent inspections done. <br>Third, the contractor had knowingly concealed and withheld information from the buyers. The Realtor was also privy to this same information but again, chose to conceal it. <br>Fourth, the contractor had no business license to operate in Alberta. They were from Ontario and had come west to evade a number of charges and suits against them there regarding homes they had flipped.<br>Result, a number of charges were laid against the contractor, the realtor, and the lawyer who represented both parties to close the deal since he was privy to the irregularities and did not disclose them to the buyers. One of the charges that was placed against all of them was fraud. The court also issued an order that the buyers get the choice of getting all their funds back including expenses for moving, legal fees and other summary expenses or having the house completely gutted and renovated to meet code. In addition, they would also be entitled to all expenses while living outside the home. The buyers selected the former to get all of their funds back in full along with three months accommodation and storage for their household items while they found a new home. <br>The seller, the realtor, and the lawyer were held on charges and pled guilty to all charges. The seller was also extradited back to Ontario to face the existing charges there.<br>The house was bulldozed and the lot put up for sale.<br>As for me, well I got $15.00 for appearing as a witness and the satisfaction of knowing I had done the right thing. I have to wonder though how many homes are being flipped this way and the new owners get to pay to make the corrections. So do your homework people and get everything in writing. Not everyone is going to find a Mike Holmes to save their bacon.

  399

• FO

  @fonlai8721 · 3 years ago

  When the homeowner mentioned the contractor doing the flip were using neighbors tools; is a RED FLAG 🚩

  310

• TE

  @tedhursh7672 · 3 years ago

  When I started out, as a GC, over 25 yrs ago, I started watching Mike, and I&apos;m so glad I did. &nbsp;He &quot;taught&quot; me that I don&apos;t have time to &quot;fix&quot; mistakes and &quot;Do It Right&quot; the first time. &nbsp;Now, when I watch this show, I can laugh out loud at the crap he finds, because I&apos;ve said the same thing, after opening a wall or digging a hole, which is &quot;what the hell were they thinking.&quot; &nbsp;Thanks, Mike &amp; Crew

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• AU

  @autotalon · 3 years ago

  I think they should make a new show where Mike &quot;makes it right&quot; by sending big dudes to beat people up that pull this garbage on people, it&apos;d be endlessly entertaining.

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• RE

  @realphoto · 3 years ago

  As a homeowner who has gone through this type of thing what really gets me is by the time your in this position you don&apos;t have the funds to fix everything or sue. &nbsp;And everyone walks away free of any accountability. &nbsp;I am still fixing things after being here 13 years.

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• TO

  @tomcartwright7134 · 3 years ago

  I have been a builder , a maintenance tech, and renovated a few old homes. I have worked in the trades for forty two years. I am retired now but I watch Mike and company at every opportunity. He has taught me so much. I have never had the opportunity to thank you Mike! Thank you for all the teaching and your generosity.

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• TH

  @ThunderChasers · 2 years ago

  It&apos;s crazy watching these episodes from 2009. I remember watching them on network tv back then. Can&apos;t believe how much time has passed.

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• AV

  @average4098 · 3 years ago

  As the daughter of a contractor and now married to one, this stuff just boils my blood. I was raised with the &quot;if your going to do it, do it right&quot; mind set and now that my husband is in the builders field too, we spend a fair bit of time ranting together about poor quality renos. This show was so fun and we enjoyed being able to relate to the guys fixing up that poor house!

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• CA

  @capicolaspicy · 3 years ago

  AAAmazing episode! I would love to see a show where they go after the various realtors, inspectors, and flippers when this kind of craziness is discovered. Maybe do an episode where the buyer gets the inspector (and maybe even a city code inspector) to come by, and surprise who shows up but Mike after he&apos;s made his list lol. I&apos;d love to see people start getting called out!

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• JU

  @judyfenske1429 · 3 years ago

  I can remember when Mike and Damon were first starting out together. &nbsp;They were boss and protégé/ repairman. Damon now sounds like Mike, down to the praises he gives to the crew.<br>The crew grew to be these professionals. Watching all these years, I have learned their language on what to look for and be aware of.<br>I just love these folks and what they teach us.<br>Thanks UTUBE &nbsp;for finding &quot;my&quot; team.<br>.

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• SH

  @shastac1396 · 3 years ago

  “Cover everything up so nothing gets dusty.” Good luck with that 😂🤦‍♀️

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• LA

  @ladwigs · 3 years ago

  Great to see Damon getting credit

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