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The Broke Agent is a media brand that creates entertainment for real estate professionals. But the beauty of it is that you don't have to be in the industry to enjoy its content. Sure, that would unlock a deeper level of understanding and appreciation but it's not necessary.

Just look at its project Real Estate Fails, for example. Full of ridiculous architectural and interior design hiccups, it shares pictures from the ridiculous side of the housing market, proving that some agents don't have everything under control. Whether it's due to their own fault, the owners, or unfortunate circumstances, there are plenty of things that might deter potential buyers.

More info: thebrokeagent.com | Facebook | Instagram

#1

Notice

Notice

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Kankan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is fair game, city people do love to bitch about those things

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We managed to get in touch with Eric Simon, founder of The Broke Agent, and he was kind enough to have a little chat with us.

"Just over six years ago, I started posting as The Broke Agent on Instagram, producing content that focused on the 'inner monologue' of a struggling realtor in Los Angeles. As a licensed realtor, I basically started making fun of everything that was happening to me and put it online in blog form, YouTube Videos, and short-form content like memes, tweets, and Facebook posts. It blew up really quickly and now has well over half a million followers across all platforms."

Even if we were to talk solely about its target audience, there's still room for The Broke Agent to grow as there are over 2 million active real estate agents in the U.S.

#2

Who Needs Inspections?

Who Needs Inspections?

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Falcon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a good example here at work. Dude owned a camping site with houses. The firefighters did a surprise inspection. Dude got fined for not having any fire alarms or smoke detectors. He then proceeds to glue smoke detectors to ceilings without connecting them to anything. The firefighters came back, opened the detectors and found his little scam. Dude got fined AGAIN and then called us to install things properly. 😂

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#3

Apparently The Description Read “Stainless Steel Appliances”

Apparently The Description Read “Stainless Steel Appliances”

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Simon started Real Estate Fails to grow The Broke Agent brand and to reach people who aren't necessarily just real estate agents but he quickly realized that it's just a really fun account to manage.

"Everyone likes looking at housing pics, especially luxury or real estate 'fails,' so it resonated with an audience outside of the real estate industry as well as real estate agents."

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"Real estate agents love the account because it exposes marketing blunders, property description errors, and other mistakes agents make when uploading their marketing online. It also gives them a platform to submit all the crazy stuff they see in the field and out on showings. The account also casts a wider net on the industry, attracting contractors, appraisers, inspectors, handymen, etc."

#4

This Might Be The Worst One Yet

This Might Be The Worst One Yet

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According to Simon, curating the account is pretty straightforward because by now the community around it has gotten big enough for him to receive a steady stream of content.

"Most of my posts come from other realtors in my DMs, but I also get submissions in my Discord, through The Broke Agent and in our real estate Facebook pages and groups," he explained. "Like I said above, most of the photos come from agents actually spotting these crazy fails in the field on showings, inspections, or open houses. We also have a series called #ThingsWeSeeAtShowings on The Broke Agent stories."

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#7

Nah Nobody Will Notice

Nah Nobody Will Notice

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#8

My Worst Nightmare

My Worst Nightmare

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#9

When Your Stager Goes A Little Nuts With House Plants

When Your Stager Goes A Little Nuts With House Plants

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You couldn't find another person more suited to run the project. "Because I am a licensed realtor, I have developed a good eye for what is 'out of the ordinary' and what will perform well as a post," Simon said. "Also, I've been looking at and posting real estate content every day for 6 plus years so that helps with my judgment for what to post."

"The best performing content on Real Estate Fails is toilet content and anything that's sexual. If it looks like a penis or is provocative in any way, the audience goes crazy for it."

Another successful ongoing theme is staging fails where people try to cover up eye sores or contracting issues. The keyword here is 'try'.

#11

The F**k Is This?

The F**k Is This?

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Giles McArdell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Badly done conversion to flats, possibly they are thinking it's only temporary and so have left it easy to remove.

anne-karina avatar
Anne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A multi level home that got split in apartments awkwardly

harryballs avatar
Harry Balls
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣🤣ohh yeah I see it now. The stairs are to the left where the wall is now but then the other ppl have stairs leading to a wall. What a strange way to do this....yeah so the staircase is to the left and the walll blocks it the part on the right is the part of the stairs that sticks out if you've ever seen stairs have that extra bit that sticks out last the raining.

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amylee3531 avatar
Amy Stone-Chandler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For cats or a place for nicknacks? Maybe garden nomes.. elves..fairies?

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Lady Goofball
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least they are providing a hand rail you can cling to for dear life as you navigate your way to the next floor.

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LeilaOdinis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are they pull out stairs which collapse? No. I appreciate the craftsmanship. For cats likely.

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Jessica Hicks
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That railing is too high for cats to safely use. OSHA needs ro to be informed.

manusal avatar
El muerto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

obviously somebody build on top of the stairs...must have gotten an elevator

margaretlaw929_1 avatar
i put the pan in panic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

um… um… oh, i know! it’s a booby trap for the burglars with bad balance and big feet

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V Bingham
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have some platforms around the house higher up so they can have some fun getting around!..lol

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AMALTHEA4
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1: Take off the carpet. 2: Paint in color patterns. 3: Put books, dexorative candles, and decorative stuff on the stairs. 4: Put paintings on the wall above. 5: Place hidden lightspots, pointing at some particular angles below. Now, after the above, you got yourself a nice scenic on this part of the house.

david2074 avatar
David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll see your vent grill that goes nowhere and raise you a vent grill on a stair that goes nowhere.

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Molly Morrison
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a staircase and they closed it off/put up a wall for some reason.

jmbz avatar
JMBZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It *was* stairs. Looks like it was once a single family, converted.

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Thoracias Kuhani
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But why is the railing on the wrong side? Cats are going to fall. lol

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Charles Bryant
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is photoshopped c**p - the carpet in front of the “wall” isn’t the same colors as what runs up the side of the “wall”.

loganduffy avatar
Logan Duffy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

or me in the eyes of a woman who wants a six foot tall man when i tell her i am 4''11

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Telmo Belo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

pretty sure there are stairs on the other side of that wall

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SkekVi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

brings new meaning to 'those stairs have killed and they will kill again' but I've never had to say that about a house from after building codes got invented... o_O

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Anthony Cook
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's for your childrens toys so they can head back to the room like in Toystory

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Veronica Grey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It might work as a bookcase for small books, or shelves for plants and small ornaments. I don't know how you are supposed to get upstairs though. The power of thought, wave a wand, astral projection?

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Jb Dean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wanna know it’s the other side of the wall! 🤔🤨🫣

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oklolimheretosay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like the one obstacle course where you stay close to the wall.

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Lynn Simmons
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoa… the thin man must live here…lol. Looks very safe with the hand rail… don’t you think?

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NO NO NO
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Steven he video uploaded don’t miss out when Asian is a difficulty mode 5 (VISUAL DAMAGE)

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isa alves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope there are no small children or teenagers with friends at this house

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Savory
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bottom couple steps are still visible. I agree with others that suggest a temporary division of a single family house.

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Rich Sahlin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've actually installed s**t like this back in the early 90's.

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Mukwa Biddulph
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was likely a house that's been split into apartments.. access to the upstairs was likely removed and put on the outside of the house to make a legal second unit.

benmillen avatar
Ben Millen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people keep saying it's a cat staircase...use your eyes, it's a regular staircase that's been walled off by some home owner doing DIY or a crappy tradesperson, you can tell it was a well used staircase as the carpet is worn and faded on the bottom step and the floor leading up to it

benmillen avatar
Ben Millen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people keep saying it's a cat staircase...use your eyes, it's a regular staircase that's been walled off by some home owner doing DIY or a crappy tradesperson, you can tell it was a well used staircase as the carpet is worn and faded on the bottom step and the floor leading up to it

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Riley Quinn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had narrow staircases like these (minus the useless hand railing) throughout my house for my cats.

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Jane W.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OOOPs, Forgot there was an upstairs here. Better find a way to put in some stairs.

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Chris D
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need to know whats on the other side of that wall, and why they covered the stairs.

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DetongLhamo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, that’s a feature from one of my recurring nightmares. It terminates at the ceiling.

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Kelly Cannon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the outer edge of the stairs, they've closed them off with the wall on the left to - most likely- create a private second floor apartment.

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Denielle Vazquez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All you people commenting on "does the cat need a handled railing cuz it's tall", as if the cat(s) are actually gonna hang on to the railing while running up even if it were at their level, are ridiculous with your thinking! The railing is literally JUST DECORATION!!!

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Moritz Fischl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They just walled off the stairs (and probably the upper level), maybe to create a separate condo

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Phil Verhey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like most people are noticing that the two bottom steps extend down the wall to the left... They're AS LONG AS THAT WALL!!!! like WTF!

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Giulio Verdekiwi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it was originally an open staircase, then somebody decide to close it off. the one on the left could be a door.

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Damiana De'Mon Rhoades
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need to see the top of this staircase!!! My OCD is in hyper drive now gd it

sparky2071 avatar
Carol Creger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sideways advancing stairway in other words. you walk up and down it sideways!

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Carrie Mosman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take the rug off and put Wood or stone and it would make a great display for plants and knickknacks...unless those are really meant to be stairs then yikes 😬

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Gail Nicholson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mouse stair. It's carpeted so that their clogs don't wake everyone up at night.

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Elizabeth Calvert
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen this multi times. Best I can figure is there were stairs at one point that got moved as part of remodel but couldn't remove them completely for some reason

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Lynn H
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm where are the other stairs? I know this could be for cats but where are the human stairs?

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Cel Ru
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Over 40 and I detest thinking how hard it would be to resist urge to climb (daily).

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Me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes it easier for "Elf on the Shelf" to move upstairs.

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Jace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What circumstances result in removing access to a second floor? Was this a single family home converted into apartments?

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#12

The Most Insane Apartment Complex Of All Time?

The Most Insane Apartment Complex Of All Time?

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Simon constantly searches for ways to engage his followers. "The best way to [do it] on these posts is to say something in the caption like 'describe this like it's in a property description.' That way, agents can put their humorous twist on a housing feature and highlight it in a positive light like a realtor would do in their marketing."

The man behind the show also highlighted that The Broke Agent has much more to offer; it's a full-on real estate media company with Podcasts (The Over Ask Podcast), blogs, YouTube videos, contributors, and more. "Our goal is to make real estate professionals laugh through the daily stress of the industry and also help improve their business with our marketing, consulting, and content platform."

#13

Light Mold

Light Mold

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margaretlaw929_1 avatar
i put the pan in panic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

congratulations! you just got yourself a free houseplant! or dinner, if you’re feeling lucky

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#14

The Things We See At Showings…

The Things We See At Showings…

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#15

You Keeping This Or Updating?

You Keeping This Or Updating?

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never know whether to up or downvote when something on these lists of bad stuff is actually cool.

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#16

Thoughts On Photoshopping A Ferrari Into Your Listing Pics?

Thoughts On Photoshopping A Ferrari Into Your Listing Pics?

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#18

What The Hell Is This A Pyramid?

What The Hell Is This A Pyramid?

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Angelar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, to leave this building you have to jump gracefully to your left?

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#19

"Beautiful Balcony Looking Over The Palatial Entertaining Area"

"Beautiful Balcony Looking Over The Palatial Entertaining Area"

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#25

Whoops

Whoops

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Al Christensen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe this is the bathroom from the story a few days ago about the anti-masturbation family.

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#26

What In The Fresh Hell Is This?

What In The Fresh Hell Is This?

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Carena Thompson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, the sideways toilet. Sometimes you make it in the bowl, sometimes you hit the TP.

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#27

“4th Bedroom”

“4th Bedroom”

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a room. There's a bed in it. The car's been repossessed anyway, so what the heck

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#28

Staging In Tampa...

Staging In Tampa...

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M O'Connell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I faked a bed in an empty bedroom with cardboard boxes and a couple of blankets. It's pretty common when occupants have already moved.

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#30

Nothing To See Here

Nothing To See Here

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KatHat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a stupid inclusion. It wasn't a real estate listing; it was the Texas freeze in February 2021, which caused catastrophic damage due to two main reasons: 1. TX houses are not built for such weather (including water pipe insulation) and 2. MOST OF THE STATE WAS DUMPED OFF THE POWER GRID SO THAT IT WOULDN'T FAIL WHICH WAS COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE IF THE TX LEADERSHIP HAD WINTERIZED THE GRID AS THEY WERE TOLD TO DO A FULL TEN YEARS BEFORE BECAUSE EXPERTS KNEW SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVENTUALLY.

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Note: this post originally had 110 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.