It’s likely just a cosmetic problem (discoloration due to rust on the edge).

The high pH of the mortar will protect the bare steel in most cases.

https://www.cement.org/learn/concrete-technology/durability/corrosion-of-embedded-materials

The term you're looking for is lintel. Lentil's are food. And yes, this issue would bug me.

Here is the neighbors house, showing what they look like when they install them, and that they paint them afterward instead of before.

Here are pictures of the lintel above my garage door:

And here are photos above ktichen windows:

The first really shows how rusted it is when they put it in.

And here are some of another neighbor, where we can see the top is rusted and the bottom is painted:

Lol Jeff, kind of late in the game for that. 7 days until close. I didn't know those existed, but I'll keep an eye out next time. Meanwhile, I have to determine how big of a fuss to make over this situation before closing time.

Only without brick over openings.

Masonry and concrete are usually reinforced with steel and iron that rusts, none of which is pre painted before use.

The inspector could use some better presentation skills.

Ok, that would be great. So you think, I can just touch up with some extra mortar and paint any exposed areas and be fine for 30 years?

I also wonder about inbetween the house and the brick veneer, if the metal is exposed, I believe there is moisture back there, so won't it continue to rust from the back? Of course, I don't know and can't see if the metal is exposed back there or not.

LOL Mark! I've obviously been reading too many recipes lately because the title was *roasted lentils* to me.

I wish the edit button didn't give me a 404. I appreciate all of your beans of wisdom though!

Is there any product anyone recommends that I should use to make sure the areas of the lintels that are exposed to the outside won't rust more? They really didn't cover it with paint very well. I'm not the most handy, but I think I can use a paint brush or caulk gun without too much problem.

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-rust-converter.html?SRCCODE=PLA00020&gclid=CjwKCAiAodTfBRBEEiwAa1hauuHwQtlIpD0TQfnKn8CuKzDtN85Lfa0ew3OQRtzp2e6Exxrn3ppFMRoCU9QQAvD_BwE

Rusting lintels can eventually cause displacement of the brick. (See pics below.) This is a major concern in building close to an ocean or where salt is used for icemelting.

This is a TRACK BUILDER......they build as CHEAP as they can get away with to make the 'most' profit.....period!!!!

Clean them up and have them painted not only it will look better it will protect corrosion. My painter does it on all the houses with brick.

With all of your concerns do you really want to close on this house. From your comments that you have posted you may never like the house after completing the closing. Perhaps it would be better for you even with the loss of the money to simply walk away.