2007-06-04 07:23:59 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
-The house was recently put up for sale, but has been vacant for at least 10 years.
-I am not worried about financing.
-I am looking for a ruff idea of what problems vacant buildings usually face. Your ignorant answer was not needed or welcome, Jeffrey.
2007-06-04 07:42:24 · update #1
It depends on what shape the previous inhabitants of the home left the house in.
You can expect dirt. A number of people have even spoken of needles and other paraphernalia left behind by druggies.
Start with the foundation: Is it sound? What about the wood there: Is that sound? Or is that soft and cracking or rotting?
Is there water damage anywhere in the house? Check for leaks.
What about cracks in the paint or wall? The wiring and plumbing?
Up on the roof: Is that sound? Or is it leaking? If there is a leak, you'll want to fix that and make sure nothing up there is rotting.
That's just a brief list. You would do better to take a note pad and look at the house yourself.
Good luck!
2007-06-04 07:45:57 · answer #1 · answered by Tigger 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As the others have stated, an inspection is your first line of defense. Either a whole house inspector, or qualified contractors from all the mechanical fields: electrical, plumbing, & HVAC. These are the biggies, as well as structural. Hidden issues that can't be seen by , or noticed by someone not trained to look for various items, should be examined by a trained professional. Older houses are just that : OLD! Codes have probably changed, making updates mandatory. Gas pipes that have been unused in 10 years, need to be tested, and checked for leaks, and non-code items replaced.
2007-06-04 10:15:27 · answer #2 · answered by poppyman54 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
GET A HOME INSPECTOR FIRST , IT WILL COST YOU BUT SAVE IN THE LONG RUN.
With an abandoned house you never know what to expect. So DO NOT get any ugly surprises.
Been there and done that. We bought a foreclosed/abandoned house for only $19 thousand but it took $25 thousand to get it usable. So you MUST have plenty of cash to invest. It did pay off, we rented it for about 5 years and then sold it for about $75 thousand.
But up front you must have a source of money.
2007-06-04 07:36:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I would be prepared for anything and everything. Have it all checked before buying. Look for plumbing problems, termites, cracks in the foundation, roots, leaks in the roof and electrical work. You can have it checked out before you buy and have a better idea of what you are looking at. Because as good as a 30K house is if you spend 120k to make it code worthy and it only appraises at 100k then you have lost money. So check this out with someone before buying. Good luck
2007-06-04 07:30:22 · answer #4 · answered by Petra 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
First problem is how do you purchace an abandoned home? You'll have to find an owner, or get the county to condem and convey to you (Start with zoning) or proceede with an adverse posession claim; (almost impossible unless you are already in posession). If you have an owner, unless the home can be resided in, you'll have a devil of a time financing in a conventional sense; most mortgage companies won't mess with it untill you have a certificate of occupancy. Utilities hooked up, zoning, building permits and inspections come to mind as well.
2007-06-04 07:29:21 · answer #5 · answered by wizjp 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
if it is truly abandoned i would expect everything from a broken foundation to ants in the wall. do not take anything for granted loke over on under and around everything take notes and dont be led do this check yourself and dont forget the attic
2007-06-04 07:33:26 · answer #6 · answered by pro am 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Each offers similar and unique items for the kitchen. I would sit down with a kitchen planner associate at BOTH stores and discuss your kitchen, your ideas and what the store offers for selections. Design your kitchen at each location and compare pricing. Good luck.
2016-05-21 02:30:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get it structurally surveyed first of all. Then you'll know what to expect in terms of major work.
As for costs? How long is a piece of string... ;-)
2007-06-04 07:27:09 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
before any purchase of any home an inspection should be done by a proffesional house inspector he will tell you about the major stuff....then it is just paint ......carpet etc to get costs get bids
2007-06-04 07:31:29 · answer #9 · answered by fisherman 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Pay for an inspection and have the inspector state and quote all work necessary. ~
2007-06-04 07:32:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋