When you are on a home inspection and the feature list says to look at particular things, be sure to check the back side (I'm not referring to people, people!).
Yes, the features included a "beatifully refurbished and painted deck!"
OK, very nice. Let's have a look.
When I hear or see the word "refurbished," I am going to check out everything!
Now let's see, the "refurbishER," um:
1. Didn't notice this while caulking and painting it.
2. Ran out of caulk.
3. Thought the bare wood needed to breath.
4. Was sure that since this is on the BACK SIDE nobody would notice until he is long gone.
5. Forgot his duct tape ... bummer.
Well, take your pick.
Have some fun with it!
Remember what the Knight's Templar said when giving advice to two people who were choosing the Holy Grail from the large selection offered: "Choose wisely."
My recommendation: features lists are great. Features lists are probably very honest. Features lists have not necessarily been inspected. FEATURES LISTS MUST BE INSPECTED!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
I'm sure you inspect everything. A features list is incidental. But that's a courious 'feature' on that post base. Even without the paint-rot-blister, I'd be wondering what that base 'moulding' was covering.
The mix of painted wood and unpainted deck and tread surface is a curious 'feature' to me as well.
I like the ones that fill the rotted area with caulk and paint over it. It is easy to spot because the surface is smooth and not the natural wood texture. So usually you can poke your finger right through the soft "rotted" wood. Fool me? Not!
Yours was a little more obvious... have a great day!
LOL...I'll go w/ option 5...or maybe all of the above.
Good morning Jay. The old "can't see it from the street" mentality at work there. lol. Had it been indoors I am sure "drywall would cover it".
Hi Jay,
I have to say that even Uncle Bob would at least painted or tried to. As far a s not being seen from the street. That would be a government worker. LOL
Have a good day my friend.
Best, Clint McKie
All the posts had that wrapping Robert. I guess they thought it looked good. The decking and treads are painted, kind of a brown/gray, and in my opinion it would be slippery when wet.
Fred - I don't know why they do that when they can so easily go to the paint store for some spackle...
Ha!
Any apply probably Debbie. Your choice is a good one though!
Nancy - definitely! The grades are already out in the mail.
I guess he could have used drywall Randy, but didn't have any more?
Clint - once I said it was good enough for gubment work and my mother nearly bit my head off.
Hey Jay,
A little wood filler and duct tape and she's good as new.lol
Jay, I've heard that having proper ventilation was always important so having that wood in breathable condition is to be expected, right? Hard to believe the refurbisher would think that blemish would be missed.
I think a nice quart of spackle should do it Eric. Yeah, that's it.
Wayne - and important here in our humid climate! At least maybe they thought...
Morning Jay a wise reminder in checking out the backside. Have a great day sir and be sure and check out the backside as I know you will
All day long James! And I look at houses sometimes too.
Jay -- maybe someone would miss this, if it were on the underside, but how is one supposed to miss it otherwise? Doesn't compute.
To see it one has to walk around the back side of the deck, battle with bushes, and reach in with a camera to get a photo Steven!
Jay, I just really hate when my backside starts to rot ; )
Try some medicated powder or cream Don. Works for me. Duluth Trading has a "Monkey Butt" cream. I hear it's good!
I hate it when I forget my duct tape.
If I had had mine I would have repaired it right there Jim. But, couldn't find it on my tool belt hook.