The terracotta tiled roofing was damaged to enable the fire crews to extinguish the flames, the ceilings were removed in one room, as the ceiling joists were burned through and yet it was advertised as smoke damaged.
The smoke damage is extensive, and the pre clean up for sale minimal.
I found used syringes, condoms, razor blades soaked in blood lying around the rear yard in the grass.
Then to my amazement, a possible buyer walked in whilst I was inspecting the house, admiring the sanded flooring and asked me, do you think they will finish off the flooring before it goes up for sale?
The floors were sanded back, obviously to reduce the stench of the fire damage and a cheap fix, instead of replacing with floor coverings.
I advised my client to check with the realtor for fire department or police records, that may suggest if the house fire was drug lab related. The toxic chemicals after a fire of a drug lab, can stay with the house and make it inhabitable.
But the fact remains that it was being sold as smoke damaged.....
I can only suggest that people get inspections done, every time and do not believe what the agents selling the houses publish as facts.
Use creditable housing inspectors and remember that the small sting of an inspection report invoice, is cheap compared to the bite of huge future repair bill.