The House Detective
“Every house has a story. Most of them are talking.”
Fictional film-noir mysteries hosted by Chris Deutsch of Lakes Area Realty. We listen to a house feature, follow one concrete clue, and identify the exact question a homeowner should ask next.
The Sunroom's Alibi
“I was a porch once, you know. A good porch. Somebody made me promises.”
A four-season room that freezes in January and has doubtful heating history.
City building permit records to see what work was done to turn the porch into a room, and when.
The missing permit history doesn't prove bad construction, but it changes the question from cosmetic warmth to unverified structural and thermal scope.
Question to Ask: Was the porch conversion permitted with continuous heat and insulation, or is it an unpermitted enclosure?
Professional Step: A licensed home inspector evaluates insulation, header support, and heating delivery before closing.
The Sunroom's Alibi
“The Sunroom”
Target Duration: 55–58 Seconds · Vertical Screen
Have a mystery in your own house? Or getting ready to sell?
“I've been walking Twin Cities basements with a flashlight for 25 years. Let's see if we speak the same language before we grab coffee.”