Housing Market Dangers: Real Estate Expert’s Warning

The current state of America’s housing market is pushing stressed buyers into risky situations. Real estate expert Tommy Herr recently highlighted that many families are unintentionally purchasing what he calls “nightmare homes” that they can’t afford to repair.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Herr, who appears in A&E’s upcoming show “Zombie House Flipping: A Family Business,” suggests that social media trends are leading buyers to take on financial burdens, thinking they’re finding dream homes. He mentioned that while the appeal of flipping houses is strong, many buyers lack the necessary knowledge. “They might get in over their heads, possibly just covering up issues with a fresh coat of paint,” he told a news outlet.

Herr, whose family focuses on fixing up abandoned properties, cautioned that buyers can easily be misled by cosmetic updates that mask underlying structural problems.

With soaring mortgage rates and high housing prices, many buyers feel the pressure to skip essential steps like home inspections. Herr emphasized that overlooking this process can lead to severe financial repercussions.

“My top piece of advice? Always hire a reputable home inspection company,” he advised. “With a budget of, say, $500, you could potentially avoid a lot of future headaches and expenses.”

Recalling some alarming experiences during home inspections, Herr shared one story that’s particularly vivid. He mentioned a house in Columbus that had been burned; it was so bad there was no floor. “Imagine my dad falling down the basement stairs,” he said, reflecting on the dangers that exist in real estate. “We were trying to work with a heavy sewer camera, and the conditions of the house were alarming.”

As if that wasn’t unsettling enough, Herr talked about homes that were so filthy they posed biohazard risks. “We’ve encountered everything from bed bugs to worse,” he noted, almost nonchalantly. “I mean, it’s all going to be revealed on the show, so don’t worry about missing any details.”

He humorously characterized some of their past inspections, recalling one house that had “huge piles of dog poop all around.” He even mentioned a basement in Ohio that had four inches of sewer backup. “Definitely not a pleasant experience,” he added with a chuckle.

Reflecting on personal encounters, Herr described the unsettling moment a squatter startled him during an inspection. He spoke about a time he was exploring a boarded-up building in a rough area, only to find two eyes peering at him from the shadows. “That was really scary,” he said, recalling the unease of that moment.

Alongside his family—his mother, a designer and real estate agent, and his brother who oversees construction—Herr is bringing these risky renovations into homes across television on A&E’s “Zombie House Flipping: Family Business.” The premiere episode, “Trial By Fire,” follows a family as they take on the challenge of repairing a fire-damaged house.

The new series is set to air on May 30 at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT.