# I'm trying to buy a house - battlements? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 21, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875 "2010-10-21T12:56:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/1 "2010-10-21T12:56:21Z")
I’m trying to buy a house. In theory, I’ve bought a house, there’s a sold sign on it, and we close in less than 2 weeks. I just stumbled upon this quote from the bible: \*Deuteronomy 22:8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence. \* So, since I’m buying, not building, do I have wiggle room here? More seriously, the realtor has been very very helpful, and has gone above and beyond the call of duty. What is an appropriate gift for a realtor, anyway? Or does one not do that sort of thing? I realize that he’s making money, but in our case, he has definately earned it. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/2 "2010-10-21T13:11:06Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > I’m trying to buy a house. In theory, I’ve bought a house, there’s a sold sign on it, and we close in less than 2 weeks. I just stumbled upon this quote from the bible: > > \*Deuteronomy 22:8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence. \* > > So, since I’m buying, not building, do I have wiggle room here? Depending on your translation, that can also be read as “parapet” or “safety railing.” The general point (per a recent _d’var Torah_ on the subject) is that whenever there is a passive hazard, that verse is a positive commandment to mitigate the risk of injury from falling off the roof / into the hole / down a drop-off / etc. Still – if I were building a house, I’d be tempted to put in a proper crenelated battlement. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/3 "2010-10-21T13:15:39Z")
I’m pretty sure **Attacklad** would be down with that. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/4 "2010-10-21T13:19:51Z")
Congratulations! If you want to acknowledge your realtor’s efforts the best gift any realtor could receive is a referral. If you don’t know anyone in the market a gift basket or a bottle of wine are always nice gifts, but on the low end I think a simple thank you card would be sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/5 "2010-10-21T13:20:42Z")
And turrets at the corners too? What would you usually send as a present in a business context? Whatever that happens to be, that’s appropriate for the realtor. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/6 "2010-10-21T13:26:02Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > And turrets at the corners too? > > What would you usually send as a present in a business context? Whatever that happens to be, that’s appropriate for the realtor. I don’t work in a business where present giving is common. A bottle of wine would be my default if I had to, but mostly because of my lack of imagination. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/7 "2010-10-21T13:46:42Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Congratulations! > > If you want to acknowledge your realtor’s efforts the best gift any realtor could receive is a referral. Both of these. With any luck I’ll be closing on a purchase next week. Just gotta convince a loan underwriter to do the right thing. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/8 "2010-10-21T15:29:12Z")
Battlements? Crenellations? Why not [go all the way](http://activerain.com/blogsview/1746141/just-listed-castle-of-dreams-millbrook-ontario)? This place is just off the 115 near Millbrook, Ontario. It’s for sale, too! ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/9 "2010-10-21T15:41:48Z")
I love these old biblical rules that are basically tort regulating municipal ordinances. \*Thou shalt shovel snow which falls upon thy walk promptly! For if one who passes by shall slip upon thy snow, that shalt be chastised for thy negligence, and fined. \* ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/10 "2010-10-21T15:57:52Z")
I always find that a thoughtfully worded note of thanks, along with permission to display it, use it in ads or referrals is really appreciated. Also the offer to serve as a recommendation. If you want a true gift I always think a fruit basket is best. For a realtor I would think flowers or a nice plant, as they like to keep their offices looking really top notch. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/11 "2010-10-21T16:02:03Z")
26 years in the business. You cannot beat a word of thanks and/or referrals… But if your realtor’s office is anything like mine was, gifts of food last about 2 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/12 "2010-10-21T16:14:36Z")
I don’t think the verse applies to a typical sloped roof. Back in the day, roofs were flat and used as living space. Nowadays, most of us don’t eat dinner on the roof to catch the evening breeze. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/13 "2010-10-21T16:24:32Z")
Realtor here. Usually the gifts go the other way, from agent to buyer or seller. That doesn’t mean we won’t accept kudos and cookies, but make sure it’s enough to go around, as Annie-Xmas says! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/14 "2010-10-21T17:17:40Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Battlements? Crenellations? Why not [go all the way](http://activerain.com/blogsview/1746141/just-listed-castle-of-dreams-millbrook-ontario)? This place is just off the 115 near Millbrook, Ontario. It’s for sale, too! My God. I’ve never seen anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/15 "2010-10-21T17:36:45Z")
Shame the listing doesn’t include the price. I’m not in the market, but I really want to know how much it costs to buy a castle in Ontario. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/16 "2010-10-21T17:41:31Z")
It’s not the castle, it’s convincing the Queen to give you a fiefdom that’s the hard bit. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/17 "2010-10-21T19:45:46Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > My God. I’ve never seen anything like that. I grew up about a mile from this > **[Kett's Castle](http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/ketts.htm)** [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/4137/4744588944_900d6ebb14_b.jpg "Watsonville Castle") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/wkharmon/4744588944/in/set-72157624381055712/) ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/18 "2010-10-21T19:51:49Z")
> [@The\_Weird\_One](#): > > Shame the listing doesn’t include the price. I’m not in the market, but I really want to know how much it costs to buy a castle in Ontario. [$499,900](http://www.dmandzuk.ca/3053.htm) A steal! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/19 "2010-10-21T20:20:23Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > [$499,900](http://www.dmandzuk.ca/3053.htm) > > A steal! :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: Seriously? That’s less than I can pay for a condo around here! Pardon me, I have to go call the bank and then get my immigration forms in order. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875/20 "2010-10-21T20:34:56Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > [$499,900](http://www.dmandzuk.ca/3053.htm) > > A steal! Cripes. It _is_ unadorned concrete block. I would see this place in the distance every time I passed by on Hwy 115, and every time I would wonder whether they were ever going to finish it. The land it’s on is flat, severed from a farmer’s field. There does not seem to be a moat. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-buy-a-house-battlements/557875.md?page=2)