We own a house in Pittsburgh that we’ve been trying to sell for the last year or more. Last winter in a cold snap, the pipes burst and caused a lot of damage.
So we fixed everything with the coordination of Tod’s father, Pete, then spruced the place up, fired the manager/realty agent who had let the pipes burst and got it an aggressive agent to sell the house. But with the subprime crisis, the house hasn’t sold and has stood empty all year.
This morning I woke to find an e-mail from Pete telling me that someone had broken in and stolen all the copper pipes and wires in the basement. Great. More stuff to have repaired.
This makes me sad and angry. I love the house but I want it out of my life. I can see why absentee owners are considered a bad thing. I hope that I am soon not one.
Anyone want a charming 1930s bungalow?
Posted by kuri at January 24, 2008 07:43 AMthe theft of copper plumbing in vacant houses is on the rise in the states. a friend of mine is dealing with the same things in flint, michigan. crazy.
Posted by: gleek on January 24, 2008 10:00 AMI didn’t realise it was such a hot item on the housebreaking wish-list.
Posted by: T on January 25, 2008 01:53 PMOuch! I’ve heard of such things happening with the recent increases in the price of copper. Best wishes getting this fixed.
I’d love a charming 30’s bungalow. Unfortunately I would also love it to be in Boulder Colorado. Sorry, not much help. Good luck.
Nice to see you back here regularly! I love the expat view of life in Japan.
Posted by: mike rosenlof on January 26, 2008 12:38 AM