I'm brushing over this for some general perspective, but your legal and tax advisors can really explain the differences in detail.

While it would be easy to brush it off by saying people are idiots that are buying into the appreciation hype, there are other more valid reasons too. 

I went to look at the plumbing so I could match up the colors ( brushed nickel, stainless, white, or chrome, whatever ) That was an hour.

this may sound harsh but the realtor needs to brush up on their loan origination knowledge. 

Need to know when to brush stuff off

Excellent advice and definitely clears up some of the static in my head.

With that said, I am very handy with a hammer, wrench and paint brush and look forward to getting a little dirty on my first 'fixer'!!!

Two choices, stick to the agreement, go to court and fight it and possibly lose getting slapped and having to pay the estate, or the other choice, pay the amount demanded.I selected the latter cutting a check with an assignment of that interest.After that, I started brushing up on security laws.

i agree justin...all i'm saying is the attorney's closing table is not the right time/place in my opinion, if i do decide to show how that 50,000 she sees is not what i get...sadly though, i probably won't ever have another chance, so when the guy's wife gave me the cold stare, i just brushed it off, shook their hand and left with my check.

It may be as simple as poor grading around the foundation.More likely, there is static pressure against the foundation from excess moisture in the ground.