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Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities. It's not just unclogging the drain and mowing the lawn; there are plenty of unforeseen situations, just waiting to happen.

As shown by the subreddit 'Well, That Sucks,' the ceiling might decide to collapse, or a pack of uninvited sea lions might crash at your property for a surprise visit.

Hopefully, the sense of pride that you get from investing in your own place is strong within these folks!

#1

Guess Someone's Gonna Be Late For Work

Guess Someone's Gonna Be Late For Work

girolski07 Report

#2

My Cat Brought A Live Mouse In And Lost It In My Room. Again

My Cat Brought A Live Mouse In And Lost It In My Room. Again

Background-Web-484 Report

The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University recently published its latest quarterly Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) report, predicting a 5.9% decrease in home renovation spending through the second quarter of 2024.

This report, which offers a "short-term outlook of national home improvement and repairs spending to owner-occupied homes," claims that home improvement spending is predicted to drop by $29 billion from Q2 of 2023 to the end of 2024.

#3

Sunlight Through This Glass Doorknob Started A Housefire

Sunlight Through This Glass Doorknob Started A Housefire

Green____cat Report

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Roger9er
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Downvote this if you like, but it's not really smart to install those either way.

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#4

The Only Path Back To My Room Blocked By Cute But Incredibly Angry Sea Lions

The Only Path Back To My Room Blocked By Cute But Incredibly Angry Sea Lions

NanoArowanaTank Report

#5

My Car Broke Down This Morning On My Way To Work And Had To Be Towed. Not 5 Minutes After I Got Home, My Ceiling Collapsed

My Car Broke Down This Morning On My Way To Work And Had To Be Towed. Not 5 Minutes After I Got Home, My Ceiling Collapsed

Cthulhetta Report

A previous iteration of this report, from January 2023, predicted a much steeper decline in spending, going from 16.3% at the end of 2022 down to just 2.6% by the end of 2023.

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While the predicted drop of 5.9% for the first half of 2024 is much less shocking, it does emphasize the fact that, for another year, home improvement spending is expected to remain on a downward spiral. 

#6

After A Grueling Day At Work Without Food Where I Had To Wait 4 Hours For A Sample To Arrive Which Got Canceled, I Come Home At 7pm To Find All My S**t In Garbage Bags Cause The Cleaners My Landlord Sent Cleared The Wrong Apartment

After A Grueling Day At Work Without Food Where I Had To Wait 4 Hours For A Sample To Arrive Which Got Canceled, I Come Home At 7pm To Find All My S**t In Garbage Bags Cause The Cleaners My Landlord Sent Cleared The Wrong Apartment

km1180 Report

#8

Blizzard Blew The Man Door On My Garage Open Yesterday

Blizzard Blew The Man Door On My Garage Open Yesterday

PCDevine Report

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#9

Drove My 17 Year Old Son To Visit My Childhood Home

Drove My 17 Year Old Son To Visit My Childhood Home

gjawhar Report

This may indicate shifting priorities, but it's nearly impossible to talk about the drastic changes in home improvement spending over the last few years without reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic and its influence on that specific market.

While there’s no denying that the pandemic had a devastating impact on the economy and life as a whole, it resulted in a drastic boom for all things home improvement.

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While the U.S. economy shrank by 3.5% in 2020, spending on home improvements and repairs grew by more than 3%, to nearly $420 billion, as people modified living spaces for work, school, and leisure.

#10

Delivery Driver Hung Food Order On My Fence And My Dog Ate It Every Single Bite

Delivery Driver Hung Food Order On My Fence And My Dog Ate It Every Single Bite

Lucia_Unicorn Report

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Boo-Urns
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who leaves food hanging on a fence? Zero chance I'd be paying for that "delivery".

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#11

This Is Why You Don’t Put Up Solar Panels If You Live By A Golf Course

This Is Why You Don’t Put Up Solar Panels If You Live By A Golf Course

NASTYH0USEWIFE Report

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arthbach
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmm, yes, but it is the responsibility of the gold course to ensure that people aren't launching golf-ball-shaped-missiles at people's houses. The golf club should be paying to replacement of those panels, and also erecting netting to prevent this. If the netting can't be erected, they should be reconfiguring the layout of the course to ensure this does not happen again.

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#12

Left My Bathroom Window Open For 3 Weeks Whilst I Was Away And A Bird Laid A Nest In My Sink

Left My Bathroom Window Open For 3 Weeks Whilst I Was Away And A Bird Laid A Nest In My Sink

grenadej Report

The abrupt lifestyle and work changes that the pandemic brought on, coupled with the home equity growth, made it possible for many homeowners to delve into projects they would have otherwise skipped in other circumstances due to lack of time or funds.

However, as infection rates decreased and many people were able to leave their homes and return regularly to public spaces, home improvement spending rates dropped.

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#14

I'm Never Going To Recover Financially From This

I'm Never Going To Recover Financially From This

Jonnyyrage Report

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Tabitha
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You went against sage advice and put them all in one basket, didn’t you?

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#15

Washing Machine In The Apartment Above Me Was Pouring Water For Days, And No One Noticed Until It Started Pouring Out Of My Circuit Breaker

Washing Machine In The Apartment Above Me Was Pouring Water For Days, And No One Noticed Until It Started Pouring Out Of My Circuit Breaker

hospitaltraveler Report

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Clown fish
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had this happen but it was the toilet from above apartment and it smelled really bad!!

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#16

My 6 Year Old Swung On The Gate Once

My 6 Year Old Swung On The Gate Once

Im_not_batman_you_R Report

#17

Installed A Lovely Sunlight In My New Bathroom, Without Realizing It Would Perfectly Frame That Horrid Tower

Installed A Lovely Sunlight In My New Bathroom, Without Realizing It Would Perfectly Frame That Horrid Tower

zalik9 Report

Deane Biermeier, resident Forbes Home expert and general contractor, says that "homeowners spent a great deal in the past couple of years on home renovations. The wave didn't have much of a chance of lasting very long. It's not surprising ... that the combination of higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty will continue to have a negative effect on the renovation market."

"I don't see home improvement spending increasing any time soon. My hope is that home renovation spending will level off and stop falling by the end of 2024," Biermeier adds.

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#18

I Met The Guy Putting A New Roof On My Apartment Today

I Met The Guy Putting A New Roof On My Apartment Today

Geckko Report

#19

(Oc) Meet Bonnie, Our 3 Month Old Collie. During The Night She Discovered A Can Of Blue Paint With A Loose Lid. We Call This Her 'Blue Period' Since She Is Obviously Going Through Some Artistic Phase. (The Chinese Rug Cost Nearly $6,000.)

(Oc) Meet Bonnie, Our 3 Month Old Collie. During The Night She Discovered A Can Of Blue Paint With A Loose Lid. We Call This Her 'Blue Period' Since She Is Obviously Going Through Some Artistic Phase. (The Chinese Rug Cost Nearly $6,000.)

Gainsborough-Smythe Report

#20

Dog Decided To Bust Through My Bedroom Door Like The Kool-Aid Man While I Was At Work

Dog Decided To Bust Through My Bedroom Door Like The Kool-Aid Man While I Was At Work

AtticusVoid Report

#21

This Is My View From The Bathroom Floor, Looking At The Hole In The Ceiling I Just Fell Through

This Is My View From The Bathroom Floor, Looking At The Hole In The Ceiling I Just Fell Through

StickyMcdoodle Report

However, Derek Walczak, Forbes Home Advisory Board member and owner and general contractor at Walczak Design + Build, says not to get your hopes up about lower pricing or more flexible workers' schedules just yet.

If you do find contractors that offer these seemingly too-good-to-be-true features, he advises to approach them with caution. "Pricing is a product of cost to operate, materials and, of course, cost to do the build. I don’t see any of those factors decreasing."

#22

Someone Drove A U-Haul Into My Bedroom

Someone Drove A U-Haul Into My Bedroom

puffskeins Report

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arthbach
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My goodness, the lack of structural stability, the construction materials, the lack of insulation!

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#23

Do You Want To See What God Did To Me Today

Do You Want To See What God Did To Me Today

Cheeky_Guy Report

#24

Was Lying In Bed When I Heard A Pop And Shattering Glass....

Was Lying In Bed When I Heard A Pop And Shattering Glass....

iSquishBread Report

"As a design and build collaborative, we do not mark up our services based on a booked pipeline or availability," Walczak explains. "With that being said, there might be contractors out there that are in need of work and [are] willing to lower their [prices]."

Walczak notes you shoul bde wary in these instances, “I would caution homeowners to ask what is being excluded from the scope and what steps may be skipped to make up for the decrease in price."

#26

I Have 30 Seconds To Sweep This Up Before The Cat Pees On It

I Have 30 Seconds To Sweep This Up Before The Cat Pees On It

stvckmind Report

#27

Real First World Problems

Real First World Problems

Just_Huan Report

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Vicki Doggurl
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Magic The Gathering cards dropped on the stairs. A huge (and very impressive!) collection.

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#28

Went Under The Porch To Get The Decorations Today, Turns Out Wasps Have Been Squatting…

Went Under The Porch To Get The Decorations Today, Turns Out Wasps Have Been Squatting…

DeadLightsOut Report

#29

After Ripping Out My Front Door, I Learn There Are Different Sizes For Doors

After Ripping Out My Front Door, I Learn There Are Different Sizes For Doors

oestzilla Report

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Erin Eubanks
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously, didn't think to measure first. If they can't even figure that out to start, they probably should hire someone else to finish the job SMH

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So what does this mean for current homeowners? Is now a good time to renovate or purchase a home?

Although the housing market is uncertain, if you do decide to renovate, Walczak recommends keeping high-impact, high-ROI home improvement projects at the top of the priority list, while also considering how long you plan on staying in your current home to further inform you on what projects are worth it and achievable.

Walczak says that a good starting place could be remodeling kitchens and bathrooms because both typically add value and improve your daily experience within your home.

If you do decide to renovate, keep the long-term in mind, specifically if you are thinking about moving in the (near) future. “In the next five to 10 years, the neighborhood could completely change, so as long as you’re smart about any renovation and the construction is well thought out and designed, then you should make your money back and have better everyday quality of life for your family," Walczak says.

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#31

100 Year Old Family Cabin Burned To The Ground First Day Of Vacation

100 Year Old Family Cabin Burned To The Ground First Day Of Vacation

Bumper216 Report

#32

Just Came Back From My Vacations And Found This Growing Into The Ceiling...

Just Came Back From My Vacations And Found This Growing Into The Ceiling...

aldiyo Report

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HTakeover
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turned off the air and didn't set up a dehumidifier? Don't turn off AC/heat when you're away, just maybe turn 'em down.

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#33

Well That Sucks...... My House Got Hit By Lightning Yesterday

Well That Sucks...... My House Got Hit By Lightning Yesterday

Acceptable-Wave-3511 Report

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Roger9er
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Genuine question: why are American houses built with wood mostly, why not bricks and concrete?

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#34

Opened This Door While Helping A Relative Today

Opened This Door While Helping A Relative Today

s1mpljack Report

#36

These Homeowners Were Out Of Town When Their Pool Service Technician Left The Water Running. As A Result, The Pool Overflowed And Contributed To The Failure Of This Deck

These Homeowners Were Out Of Town When Their Pool Service Technician Left The Water Running. As A Result, The Pool Overflowed And Contributed To The Failure Of This Deck

DMAS1638 Report

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Tabitha
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And probably compromised a good chunk of that rather steep hillside as well.

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#37

Stepmoms Mothers House Was Looted, They Took Everything, Even The Lights

Stepmoms Mothers House Was Looted, They Took Everything, Even The Lights

6chrier Report

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#38

Dropped My Ravioli Taking It Out The Microwave At Work

Dropped My Ravioli Taking It Out The Microwave At Work

vachon11 Report

#40

Upstairs Neighbor Out Of Town For 3+ Weeks With An Overflowing Sink & Now Our Bathroom And Bedroom Walls & Ceiling Are Soaked Through

Upstairs Neighbor Out Of Town For 3+ Weeks With An Overflowing Sink & Now Our Bathroom And Bedroom Walls & Ceiling Are Soaked Through

CurrentWorldliness24 Report

#42

Girlfriend Broke Up With Me So Thought I'd Make A Cheesecake To Cheer Myself Up

Girlfriend Broke Up With Me So Thought I'd Make A Cheesecake To Cheer Myself Up

PurpleXenon Report

#43

It Turns Out My New Roomba Is Perfectly Tall Enough To Absolutely Obliterate Itself On The Bottom Of My Swivel Chair

It Turns Out My New Roomba Is Perfectly Tall Enough To Absolutely Obliterate Itself On The Bottom Of My Swivel Chair

vectorYee Report

#44

Wednesday, The Stairs To Get To My And Three Other Apartments Collapsed

Wednesday, The Stairs To Get To My And Three Other Apartments Collapsed

RunninAgainstTheWind Report

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#45

2 Weeks Later And The Dust Is Still Everywhere, Had A Lithium Battery Explode While Charging, Fire Extinguisher Dust Was And Still Is Everywhere

2 Weeks Later And The Dust Is Still Everywhere, Had A Lithium Battery Explode While Charging, Fire Extinguisher Dust Was And Still Is Everywhere

Heavy-Literature-156 Report

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KesTheExquisite
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Annoying but at least OP had an extinguisher to hand; the alternative is much more frightening

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#46

Vacuumed Disposable Cutlery Under My Kids Bed

Vacuumed Disposable Cutlery Under My Kids Bed

surfh2o Report

#48

Grandparents House Caught Fire While They Were Away For Thanksgiving

Grandparents House Caught Fire While They Were Away For Thanksgiving

MKatze Report

#49

Well.. Dish Soap Is Not Meant For The Dishwasher I Guess

Well.. Dish Soap Is Not Meant For The Dishwasher I Guess

CasuallyWorn Report

#50

My Cutting Board Delivered With A Small Defect

My Cutting Board Delivered With A Small Defect

narraun Report

#51

New Couch Has Cushion Velcro On The Wrong Side...

New Couch Has Cushion Velcro On The Wrong Side...

vanderlooMueller Report

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#52

Neighbor Across From Me’s Trash Cans. I Don’t Know What Happened To Them, My Dad Says They Weren’t Like This When He Left For Work In The Morning

Neighbor Across From Me’s Trash Cans. I Don’t Know What Happened To Them, My Dad Says They Weren’t Like This When He Left For Work In The Morning

thefoxishere16 Report

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Karma Black
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone likely shoveled ash from a fireplace or wood stove without making sure it had fully cooled.

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#54

Not Quite How I Wanted My Morning To Start

Not Quite How I Wanted My Morning To Start

olobley Report

#55

Trying To Clean Your Oven

Trying To Clean Your Oven

kk653 Report

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Ace
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mistranslated, probably from German. "Holzofen" == wood burner.

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#56

I Was Emptying Out The Dishwasher And As I Picked Up A Glass It Exploded In My Hands Anyone Know How I Can Prevent This From Happening Again?

I Was Emptying Out The Dishwasher And As I Picked Up A Glass It Exploded In My Hands Anyone Know How I Can Prevent This From Happening Again?

Oceans24mission Report

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Susie Elle
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My guess is it wasn't a dishwasher safe glass or one that's been heated up and cooled off too quickly one too many times

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#57

Bucket Of Paint Fell From Attic, Wiping Out Dresser, Carpet And Walls

Bucket Of Paint Fell From Attic, Wiping Out Dresser, Carpet And Walls

metroal312 Report

#58

My 15-Year-Old Son Decided To Move His Sister's Jeep Behind The Garage To Make Room For Another Vehicle, But He “Forgot” It Had No Brakes. So, This Happened To My Fence

My 15-Year-Old Son Decided To Move His Sister's Jeep Behind The Garage To Make Room For Another Vehicle, But He “Forgot” It Had No Brakes. So, This Happened To My Fence

MyNameIsKritter Report

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#59

Neighbors Insurance Doesn’t Want To Pay For Damages Due To It Being Cause By Nature…

Neighbors Insurance Doesn’t Want To Pay For Damages Due To It Being Cause By Nature…

reddit.com Report

#60

Essential Oil Destroyed My Brand New Kitchen Island. How Can I Fix This?

Essential Oil Destroyed My Brand New Kitchen Island. How Can I Fix This?

Kafshak Report

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arthbach
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it is wood, then sand it back to the bare wood, and re-varnish. It's a simple enough task.

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#61

My Tempered Glass Mixing Bowl Exploded Today. Now I'm Wondering If I Should Toss The Rest Of The Set

My Tempered Glass Mixing Bowl Exploded Today. Now I'm Wondering If I Should Toss The Rest Of The Set

Mee-- Report

#62

Found This Behind My Wardrobe Yesterday... I'm Extremely Allergic To Mold...

Found This Behind My Wardrobe Yesterday... I'm Extremely Allergic To Mold...

eletriceye Report

#63

I Finally Got My Roommate To Move Out But This Is What He Left Me After He “Cleaned”

I Finally Got My Roommate To Move Out But This Is What He Left Me After He “Cleaned”

Own_Preparation_7554 Report

#64

My Friend’s House Had A Really Nice View Up Until A Couple Of Months Ago

My Friend’s House Had A Really Nice View Up Until A Couple Of Months Ago

DramaGuy23 Report

#65

I Just Got Back To My Apartment After Winter Break And Found My Bathroom Trashed

I Just Got Back To My Apartment After Winter Break And Found My Bathroom Trashed

Live_Material_265 Report

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