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You’d be forgiven for thinking that the life of a home inspector is a boring one, but this fascinating Instagram account says otherwise. By posting some of their most striking discoveries on their IG, Boston Home Inspectors take us along on their most interesting home inspections.

A home inspector’s job is to provide prospective home buyers with an expert report on the state of the home they’re considering. They look for everything from building code violations to water damage, wear-and-tear, dangerously poor repairs, and other hidden risks. You might find their work a lot more interesting when you realize they’re a lot like detectives or, in the worst cases, crime scene analysts.

Some of the photos on BHI’s IG show obvious problems, like decaying shower walls, structurally unsound steps, and other clear dangers. But other photos show issues in places that the average homeowner might have never thought to check. Crawlspaces between walls, above ceilings or under floors can hide tons of problems for unsuspecting buyers.

Bored Panda got in touch with BHI to ask about their fantastic IG, so read on!

#1

While You Are Waiting…

While You Are Waiting…

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atkinsdan avatar
Daniel Atkins
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would be tempting to sit on it and greet anyone who came to that floor with an enthusiastic "Well hello come join me."

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We were just as surprised as you probably were to discover that a business inspection business was running such a successful Instagram account, but the results (and some of the crazy pictures) speak for themselves. 

The owners clearly appreciate the support as well, telling Bored Panda: “I’ve had great responses and success. Most people enjoy the funny items posted. I think people enjoy seeing other peoples problems or misery.”

#6

Almost There.. Little More To The Right!

Almost There.. Little More To The Right!

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°CORLEONE°
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just buy some cable and fixed permanently before the wind throws it away.

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#7

Railings And Spindles Are Overrated!

Railings And Spindles Are Overrated!

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#8

Sometimes You Just Need A Set Of Two!

Sometimes You Just Need A Set Of Two!

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It hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. The account admin clearly takes steps to anonymize the photos they post, but some home owners or realtors can get upset when their homes’ most serious flaws are outed to the world. Nonetheless, the account’s admin takes it all in stride.

“I did have some millennials trying to force me to take down a picture of sagging front steps. They got a bunch of their friends and wrote negative reviews on Google after I refused to take the picture down. The picture is still on Instagram. And their attempt to harass me actually drove more people to my account.”

#10

Nothing To See Here… Move Along!

Nothing To See Here… Move Along!

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#11

Just A Little Tight!

Just A Little Tight!

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rens_1 avatar
Rens
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like my downstairs powder room in my house in the Netherlands, minus the bathtub!

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#12

Listing Agent Says It Has A Closet!

Listing Agent Says It Has A Closet!

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Emily M
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The house i bought has two of these 'closets' in the bedrooms and no real places to put clothes TAT

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You may have already encountered your favorite pic of the bunch, or it might be waiting for you further down. As for the inspectors at BHI, here are some of their craziest finds:

“The two funniest items that I found [were] the sex swing, hanging in the bedroom that the realtor kept calling a TRX workout band and the shower that still had the [sex toy] on the floor.”

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“The most outrageous or disgusting violation was an illegal apartment built in a basement and they had the toilet draining into the sump pump.” Yuck!

#15

Not Sure Where To Begin, But Yes, They Technically Do Have A Roof Deck!

Not Sure Where To Begin, But Yes, They Technically Do Have A Roof Deck!

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Debby Keir
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, that might be a design feature - the sloping roof allows rain and snow to roll off. If flat, you'd have to have drainage added. So long as it really stable, no issues.

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But where did the idea for a building inspector to launch an Instagram account come from in the first place? BHI explains: “A few years back, I picked my kids up from school and took them for pizza. While we were sitting at the pizza place, they were playing with this new app Instagram. My daughter suggested I start posting some of the crazy stuff that we see and she helped me set up the account.”

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Given that their work helps people buy safe homes and avoid very unpleasant financial “surprises”, we wish them the best of luck!

#19

No Safety Issues Here!!

No Safety Issues Here!!

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C L
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it has been that way for millenia from the wear pattern on the stairs!

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#20

Quick Exit For The Falling Kids!

Quick Exit For The Falling Kids!

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QuirkyKittyGirl
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, they DID add the fall-stopping finials at the bottom of the bannister. /s

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#22

Proper Way To Inspect A Fireplace!

Proper Way To Inspect A Fireplace!

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#25

Ordered The Wrong Size…no Problem The Little Blocks Will Fix It!

Ordered The Wrong Size…no Problem The Little Blocks Will Fix It!

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justforfacebook avatar
ƒιѕн
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spending that money on composite, would have at least framed it correctly.

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#26

164°f…a Cup Of Tea With Your Toothpaste!

164°f…a Cup Of Tea With Your Toothpaste!

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#27

I Guess The Outlet Cover Couldn’t Fit!

I Guess The Outlet Cover Couldn’t Fit!

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#29

Nailed It!

Nailed It!

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Robert T
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's clearly screwed. In both senses of the word.

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#30

Space Age!

Space Age!

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Oais Wright
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't quite get what's wrong in this one. I guess it's pipe's silver color?

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Note: this post originally had 131 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.