Not a roof leak repair you want to see.
Almost any roof can leak at any time given the force and direction of driving rain.
My roof leaked in two different places during Hurricane Sandy. It had not leaked before and has not leaked since.
In this house there was evidence of a roof leak that was reported to have been fixed. Why leak stains are not primed and painted prior to an inspection sometimes baffles me. But the location was not wet during the inspection, and it had recently rained. So perhaps it had been repaired.
But we always want to have a closer look.
Going into the attic I was able to get above the leak stain location.
And that was what I found.
The plumbing vent tubing which passes through the roof had been leaking.
Towels had been tightly wrapped around the tube from the roof sheathing to the insulation.
And the leak was "repaired!"
Not exactly what I would call a roof repair.
Obviously the rubber collar on the vent had deteriorated. It was not visible from the ground, but that is what I suspected had leaked as the other one on the house was old and deteriorated.
My recommendation: when things are said to have been repaired, it is best to ask how and by whom. Or hire a home inspector to have a look! This is a quick fix by a roofer, and not expensive. But that professional repair would solve this problem for a long time.
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
WOW...that picture gives a whole new meaning to "DIY"....and knowing there was an inspection...hmmm...you would think...guess thinking was not part of the process !
They thought about which of their less expensive towels to use, S&D.
I have dealt with many roof leaks over my real estate career.
Perhaps it would have worked better if they used a Sham-Wow! ;)
Good morning Jay. Why did I know by your title I was in for a treat about stupidity? Enjoy your day!
Good morning Jay. You think so....? Oh my, this is pretty scary stuff. Good point.
Please tell me a roofer didn't do the towel wrapping... lol
And were the repairs this fine, Harry?
Nathan - that is an out-of-the box idea! I will have to write the buyer a note!
Wayne - because you are familiar with what I do! And my sometimes sarcasm.
I think so, Sheila! But hey lady, the ceiling was dry!
I didn't check the logo on the towel, Fred, but it looked like a cheapie from the household! If it was the roofer's that should be put on line!
Now that's funny, I don't care who you are.
That's a plumbing vent turban, Stephen. Carefully wrapped!
That's a pretty inovative repair, Jay. My favorite finding from a home inspection, was a bungee cord used to strap a water heater. Here in California, because of earthquakes, we strap our water heaters. . .But, not usually with a bungee cord.
Gee, Myrl, a strap is a strap!
I've seen water heater straps (we don't have them here, so I have never seen one personally) and they seem to be metal!