Just buy a "old house"....many problems?

Question

I just purchased a 70-yr-old house...after the closing, I notice there are many problems in the house.
1. A/C (upstair is "super" hot...and the downstair is cool)...does anyone know how much does it cost to fix the AC? (the house it's about 2000 sq. ft.) or is there any programs will help to check it out or fix it?
2. Mold in the kitchen (it was flooded before, but seller fixed it)....there's always a smell when we come home from outside.
3. Roof leaking...right onto my bed (when I first saw the house, everything is nice and pretty...so I didn't know the roof has problem)
4. I notice when flies get into the house....they die the next couple days...I don't know why...is there not enough oxygen in my house....(my family's health is fine though)
5. The power lines at the backyard is very...complicated, many lines tangle together with some old cable plugs...is there a program or who should I talk to ...to make sure those wiring are hooked up correctly and safe?
Thank you very much.

Answer 1

The right answers are already here. The disclosure statement should have mentioned the roof and the mold. You need to address these right away with the Realtor. Throw around the words Lawsuit, Attorney, and Hospital Bills if you aren't getting a helpful response.

Call your electric company and ask them to send someone out to check your service.

Flies (as mentioned) only live a few days, depending on species.

Hot air rises - upstairs will always be warmer unless you have separate thermostat and supply ducting for second floor.
a bigger fan probably won't help much. You likely need a
unit with more BTUs. Check the attic insulation. You can probably use more in a 70 year old house.

Answer 2

Isn't there some kinda disclosure thing when buying a house? I thought the seller had to tell you of any problems. Maybe I just saw it on a TV show, I'm not sure. I would call the seller and be asking him about fixing these things. Was there a home inspection done? If not, why not?
The extra couple hundred bucks spent on a home inspection can definatly pay off in a hurry in this case.

Your AC could be low on freon and need a charge. You'll have to adjust the vents throughout the house to get a better ballance of temp.
Have the mold checked by an expert and see if it's bad. It can be a very serious thing.
Patch the roof or replace the shingles. SOunds like they could be in bad shape.
Have the power company come and clean up the tangled mess in your backyard. This could be a fire hazard waiting to happen.

Answer 3

1) Try closing all the vents downstairs. If the upstairs gets cool, then you just need a bigger fan to push the air through the ducts. If the upstairs doesn't get cool, then you may have ductwork problems, such as a clog or a break. Either way, you will need to get a professional.

2) 'Seller fixed it.' If it was 'fixed', you wouldn't smell mold. Try to find out exactly how they 'fixed' it.

3) This issue (and the mold issue) may fall under the the heading of 'disclosure'. You need to call your real estate agent and ask them if the previous owner is required to disclose problems like this in your state.

4) Flies only have a lifespan of 3 days, maximum. There is no such thing as a house without enough oxygen. Your house is not 'airtight'. Oxygen gets in just fine.

5) Power lines should only be touched by a qualified electrician.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I was realtor for a while and I can tell your roof issue Should have been disclosed you can sue for repairs for non-disclosure. The realtor and/or seller was neglegent. If this was a FSBO that is just par for the course. It wouldn't surprise me.

Sue the owner or Realtor, get the roof fixed and attach everthing else if you want. The roof issue is my largest concern regarding your question. You are unlikely to win on the mold issue The fly thing I haven't a clue. As far as your AC issue goes, well, answerer #1 had the best explanation. Your roof SHOULD have been disclosed und fixed unless you explicitly said and in writing that YOU were 1) aware of it and 2) declined repairs.

The electrical you are unlikely to do anything about. Sounds like you ahve an easement on your property. Get the real estate dictionary By Barrons at any bookstore to help you understand some of the terms that will soon be thrown at you.

Answer 5

I would have advise you to have a check for these problems with a contractor like I was, a licensed tradesmen that knew what he was doing.
You have roofing problems, plumbing problems and mold spore problems. Not to say your A.C. I would also get the carnbon monoxide levels checked out and the ozone levels.
I would say your going to be using a lot of money in repairs and you should get started, you mentioned "family" and mold.

I would start with the roof, you'd better get someone on this right now while the weather holds. I would guess the mold is from wet roofs and walls, have this checked out by an inspector or your going to pay with your families health. You might have to tear out walls to stop the mold from the interior. I've seen roofs leak and go down the interior of the walls, you stated your bedroom, it could be all over.

I don't know where this house is but, if it's in the Southwest you may have the old style aluminum lines that will have to be changed or, the lines should be looked at with an electrician.

I would say you'd better have the house inspected by an inspector and find out where to start first. I hope you had an escrow account to pay for this all.

Answer 6

The first thing I would do is have the house checked for mold. Some mold can be very serious even fatal.If you pass this hurdle then take one thing at a time.
If this house had been appraised many of the problems you listed would have been corrected.