# Can I Steal My House? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 14, 2006, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448 "2006-07-14T09:22:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Geiselcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@Geiselcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geiselcat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/61 "2006-07-21T11:29:38Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt] This tells me everything I need to know. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Some people seem to derive their pride from what they don’t do, and from what they have the power to deny. ---
**Author:** ![Geiselcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@Geiselcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geiselcat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/62 "2006-07-21T11:37:43Z")
[QUOTE=Geiselcat] Some people seem to derive their pride from what they don’t do, and from what they have the power to deny. [/QUOTE] My idea is certainly criticizable, and I enjoy the discussion, but I see no need for the anger I seem to have arisen in a couple of people here. As far as I’m aware, I did not eat stupid food for breakfast, but perhaps I had a midnight snack of creativity. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/63 "2006-07-21T13:07:44Z")
> [@Geiselcat](#): > > \but I see no need for the anger I seem to have arisen in a couple of people here.\ > [@Geiselcat](#): > > Yes, I have. They are self righteous about their misguided ideals, but are actually in it for the ability to feel powerful by having some measure of control over other people (who are actually producing something). As long as I show my respect to them; to signify to them that they are of equal value to me, despite having done nothing useful, they will feel that they’ve gotten what they want out of me. Well, this is why you pissed me off. You’re talking about my co-workers here, and you clearly don’t have a clue. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/64 "2006-07-21T13:15:13Z")
[QUOTE=Geiselcat] As far as I’m aware, I did not eat stupid food for breakfast [/QUOTE] Well, lacking awareness is one of the main aftereffects of eating stupid food… ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/65 "2006-07-21T13:55:22Z")
Even with a new house, a smart buyer will require a search. And any home inspector worth the title is going to be able to tell in about five minutes that it’s not a new house. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/66 "2006-07-21T16:03:31Z")
The problem is, **Geiselcat** , your plan is extremely complicated and seems like too much effort for probably very little reward. That and you also seem to be relying on many assumptions, such as that you’ll be able to slip it past the inspectors and the bank. There’s no certainty that it would work out. But if you don’t want to face facts, we can’t force you to. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Geiselcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@Geiselcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geiselcat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/67 "2006-07-21T17:15:58Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] The problem is, **Geiselcat** , your plan is extremely complicated and seems like too much effort for probably very little reward. That and you also seem to be relying on many assumptions, such as that you’ll be able to slip it past the inspectors and the bank. There’s no certainty that it would work out. But if you don’t want to face facts, we can’t force you to. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] I am willing to face facts, and the case against the plan is a good one, I must admit. It is true that the skill required for this to work (if it indeed can) would perhaps be better spent on a simpler, more profitable plan. I think what I like about it is mainly the kind of stir it would cause if someone managed to do such a thing. The whole lending institution would feel standalized. Unfortunately, though, it just would lead to more paperwork and middlemen when buying a building. To revise the idea, I think it might work better with if done with a couple scores of modular homes. As for code enforcement workers, I find them frustrating, most often. My city code enforcement office sends someone over to each of my apartment buildings every year to check for violations. The code book is over 100 pages long and written in the kind of format and style that make an insurance policy seem fun and easy to comprehend. Only the code enfocement personnel actually know what the rules are and how they are to be interpreted. When they come to visit, they pick out about 12 items that need to be brought to code. What they choose is chiefly arbitrary, because if they wanted to, they could make you spend 50,000 on any given year to meet whatever’s in that book (and they are always adding more into it). Everyone just plays along and treats them with respect, because they know that if they don’t, the people down at the code enforcement office will have them on their black list for years to come. I’ve become skilled at light-hearted, joking conversation with the code inspectors to keep them in a good mood when they visit as to save myself time and money, but it makes me feel sick to my stomach to bow down to those parasites. The last spledid code inspector to visit me proudly informed me that she has never owned a property in her life. She feels strongly about the value of old-fashioned design, and thinks it’s a hideous sacriledge that my 4000 sq. ft. building was modernized and converted into apartments (which I rent out and am quite proud of). I had to cheerfully agree with her, because if I hadn’t, I’m certain it would have cost me at least $500 (and probably more like $1000). This is my experience with code enforcement. I apologize if I may have insulted someone’s friend, but I’d like nothing more than to make people like the one’s I’ve dealt with look like the morally bankrupt leeches that they are. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/68 "2006-07-21T17:19:47Z")
[QUOTE=Geiselcat] I am willing to face facts, and the case against the plan is a good one, I must admit. It is true that the skill required for this to work (if it indeed can) would perhaps be better spent on a simpler, more profitable plan. I think what I like about it is mainly the kind of stir it would cause if someone managed to do such a thing. The whole lending institution would feel standalized. Unfortunately, though, it just would lead to more paperwork and middlemen when buying a building. To revise the idea, I think it might work better with if done with a couple scores of modular homes. As for code enforcement workers, I find them frustrating, most often. My city code enforcement office sends someone over to each of my apartment buildings every year to check for violations. The code book is over 100 pages long and written in the kind of format and style that make an insurance policy seem fun and easy to comprehend. Only the code enfocement personnel actually know what the rules are and how they are to be interpreted. When they come to visit, they pick out about 12 items that need to be brought to code. What they choose is chiefly arbitrary, because if they wanted to, they could make you spend 50,000 on any given year to meet whatever’s in that book (and they are always adding more into it). Everyone just plays along and treats them with respect, because they know that if they don’t, the people down at the code enforcement office will have them on their black list for years to come. I’ve become skilled at light-hearted, joking conversation with the code inspectors to keep them in a good mood when they visit as to save myself time and money, but it makes me feel sick to my stomach to bow down to those parasites. The last spledid code inspector to visit me proudly informed me that she has never owned a property in her life. She feels strongly about the value of old-fashioned design, and thinks it’s a hideous sacriledge that my 4000 sq. ft. building was modernized and converted into apartments (which I rent out and am quite proud of). I had to cheerfully agree with her, because if I hadn’t, I’m certain it would have cost me at least $500 (and probably more like $1000). This is my experience with code enforcement. I apologize if I may have insulted someone’s friend, but I’d like nothing more than to make people like the one’s I’ve dealt with look like the morally bankrupt leeches that they are. [/QUOTE] So you admit you’ve only spoken with Rental Code Enforcers. Have you had any experience with New Building Code Enforcers? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/69 "2006-07-21T17:30:50Z")
[QUOTE=Geiselcat] This is my experience with code enforcement. I apologize if I may have insulted someone’s friend, but I’d like nothing more than to make people like the one’s I’ve dealt with look like the morally bankrupt leeches that they are. [/QUOTE] Not sure where you live Geiselcat. But where I am, code inforcement and building inspection are two completely different things. Building inspection takes care of new buildings and additions. Inspections are made every step of the way while things are accessable and more importantly, fixable. Footer inspection Foundation inspection Rough plumbing Rough framing Roof Rough electric Finished plumbing … and on and on until you get your CO. It doesn’t happen all at once, and I’m highly doubtful that you could get one. Or that an inspector wouldn’t immediatly recognize that the house didn’t just materialize, it was moved. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/70 "2006-07-21T21:20:28Z")
[QUOTE=Geiselcat] I apologize if I may have insulted someone’s friend, but I’d like nothing more than to make people like the one’s I’ve dealt with look like the morally bankrupt leeches that they are. [/QUOTE] Ah. The SDMB membership is over 60,000 now - no matter how obscure the profession you choose to villify, you’ll likely raise hackles with _someone_ on the boards. I consider it polite to keep that sort of thing out of General Questions. And, thanks for the apology. My friends appreciate it 😉 . ---
**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/71 "2006-07-22T17:16:34Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt] Ah. The SDMB membership is over 60,000 now - no matter how obscure the profession you choose to villify, you’ll likely raise hackles with _someone_ on the boards. I consider it polite to keep that sort of thing out of General Questions. And, thanks for the apology. My friends appreciate it 😉 . [/QUOTE] What’s the big deal about building inspecters? The people who really get to me are those damn Cubans! They’re always smoking they’re big cigars and dealing the’re drugs! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448/72 "2006-07-23T01:25:05Z")
If this one was ever a General Question, it’s long since run it’s course. Moving to MPSIMS. **samclem** GQ moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-steal-my-house/364448.md?page=3)