hey house gurus...any idea how much work this place would need?

[feralkid]

Home is 70 years old so expect the foundation to have moved around since it was built. Be sure to inspect that for cracks and how off level it is.

Mildew/algae/water problem in the 8th picture, make sure it hasn't gone under the siding.

The siding was put on to cover up something. Homes built in that era had some pretty good wood used , not the quick growth stuff they use now so the siding should have lasted if it was taken care of. The fact it is now covered points to something being wrong with it. I bought a home that was done like that and underneath the owners had let it go several years without painting to the point the wood had rotted. Rather than replace the wood they covered it with vinyl, so look out for that. The siding installer also did it wrong in several places . You should never have a place above and below form a straight line between them, that lets water in. They should be staggered.

Expect insulation to be poor. They didn't do much insulating in the 40's.
The rest of it looks pretty good. It is from that era that used actual 2x4 lumber and it was some good stuff.

That type of siding is "double plank"...the seams are fine.

 

[jlee]

The septic system failed inspection and it needs a boiler.

$40k?

🙁

 

[AlienCraft]

Chinese drywall house?

 

[Red Squirrel]

The septic system failed inspection and it needs a boiler.

$40k?

🙁

ohhh septic system? That would turn me off right there. Those are a lot of maintenance, and it is a dirty job. :awe:

 

[jlee]

ohhh septic system? That would turn me off right there. Those are a lot of maintenance, and it is a dirty job. :awe:

Not really...get it emptied every year (or several). I forget exactly, but it's not a huge deal.

Replacing one, however...not cheap.

 

[iGas]

Home Inspector is the only one who can tell you what is good and what isn't. It's impossible to tell just from pics. Anyone who buys and house and doesn't hire a home inspector is dumb.

I bought my first house with out a home inspection, and I made $150K over the price I paid after I had the house for 1 year ++ $22K of materials and my sweat.

Home inspectors are useless IMHO, because anyone can get the cert after 2 weeks of training. The cert stated that engineers/contractors are not allows to take the cert due to conflict of interest. However, to protect their "incompetent" the home inspectors stated that in fine prints that they are not liable for things that are behind walls, things that they didn't see, or missed. And, many inspection agreements also stated that in fine prints that they are only liable up to $500.00 for negligent on their behalf.

IMHO, it would make more sense to have builder/contractor/engineers (civil/mech/electrical) inspect your home over that of persudo "home inspector".

 

[iGas]

It would be better if you can provide closer pictures of the surrounding foundation specially behind the foundation skirt (are they hiding something?). The garage look like it was abused and could have mold. Check for damp spots on the carpet & walls, look under sink cabinets & toilets for trace/s of mold.

Bring a fan and set it blowing out a window or door while very interior doors are open and exterior windows/doors are close, and use a cigarette/incense stick and look for drafts out side the building along windows/doors (only work on a calm/no wind day).

Look for sag & rot spot on the roof closely from out side, and in the attic. Check the power breaker panel to see if it is tube & nob or aluminum wiring.

Also look in the history of the septic field to see if it have been moved/repaired, check to see if the secondary septic area is doable within plumbing codes.

PS. Septic field/tank is very expensive, so as upgrade wring from tube & nob. Replacing aluminum might be a good idea if you are going to rip out the walls, but it can be pig tail with copper wires to meet electrical codes.

 

[iGas]

ohhh septic system? That would turn me off right there. Those are a lot of maintenance, and it is a dirty job. :awe:

It is not that difficult to refrain oneself from flushing solids & chemicals down the drain. And, scheduling a septic pump truck to pump the tank out every 2~3 years isn't what I call "a lot" of maintenance or dirty job.

 

[jlee]

Well, on the bright side....I won't know if I get this job 'till mid-summer, so hopefully people won't want to buy this due to the work involved.

Maybe I'll be able to get a deal and make it work. I'm not going to count on it, though..that's for sure.

 

[vi edit]

It is not that difficult to refrain oneself from flushing solids & chemicals down the drain. And, scheduling a septic pump truck to pump the tank out every 2~3 years isn't what I call "a lot" of maintenance or dirty job.

Yep. It's the upfront costs that are the worst with septic systems. $8000 for a 4 bedroom. And it's about $200 every 3 years or so to have it pumped. Compare that to your septic bills and it isn't so bad. Only other real drawback is that you can't have a garbage disposal in the sink. But those are loud, kinda disgusting things in themselves. I didn't really miss it once I moved to a septic system.

 

[jlee]

Yep. It's the upfront costs that are the worst with septic systems. $8000 for a 4 bedroom. And it's about $200 every 3 years or so to have it pumped. Compare that to your septic bills and it isn't so bad. Only other real drawback is that you can't have a garbage disposal in the sink. But those are loud, kinda disgusting things in themselves. I didn't really miss it once I moved to a septic system.

$8k isn't nearly as high as I expected. I wonder what it would cost to replace one that's already there, though...guessing more? Hmm. Time to research.

 

[iGas]

$8k isn't nearly as high as I expected. I wonder what it would cost to replace one that's already there, though...guessing more? Hmm. Time to research.

Its depends on your location, as labor fees can be higher. My area an average septic system cost $10K.

They don't replace the existing system. The tank is filled in, a the new tank install & secondary septic field will be use.

I'm a license plumber with septic system cert (I took the cert exam for $1700.00) to save myself the insane cost of having someone else install my mom septic system. In my area septic cert is separate from a plumbing ticket.

 

[jlee]

Its depends on your location, as labor fees can be higher. My area an average septic system cost $10K.

They don't replace the existing system. The tank is filled in, a the new tank install & secondary septic field will be use.

Hmm. So, if there's no location for a second septic field...then bad luck for all?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Knowing that the septic is shot, I'm pretty sure the bank won't give you the loan anyway.

 

[iGas]

Hmm. So, if there's no location for a second septic field...then bad luck for all?

Correct, however you can still install a raised/mound septic field if the secondary area isn't suitable (import dirt & and built on top of the existing field or secondary field) if your local jurisdiction allows for it. The septic area will have to meet codes, passed the peculation test, and the cost will be a bit higher due to the imported soil/sand.

 

[jlee]

Knowing that the septic is shot, I'm pretty sure the bank won't give you the loan anyway.

203K. I have red carpet credit, no debt, and no dependents so hopefully it wouldn't be an issue.

Correct, however you can still install a raised/mound septic field if the secondary area isn't suitable (import dirt & and built on top of the existing field or secondary field) if your local jurisdiction allows for it. The septic area will have to meet codes, passed the peculation test, and the cost will be a bit higher due to the imported soil/sand.

Hmm. I wonder how much cost & legwork would be involved to determine an approximate cost..

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

203K. I have red carpet credit, no debt, and no dependents so hopefully it wouldn't be an issue.

Sweet. I didn't know they had those type of programs out there. I wish I would have known about that when I was looking to buy a home. I could have scored a foreclosure on one of the lakes here for under 100k and fixed it up.

 

[iGas]

203K. I have red carpet credit, no debt, and no dependents so hopefully it wouldn't be an issue.



Hmm. I wonder how much cost & legwork would be involved to determine an approximate cost..

Call around and ask to see what a septic system cost in your area, and also ask for a raised/mound septic cost as well.

As for boiler, they are not that expensive, and again it would make sense to call around and price it.

 

[jlee]

Realtor has no idea why the septic system failed inspection - and there's mold in one of the closets.

I hate mold. 🙁

 

[iGas]

Realtor has no idea why the septic system failed inspection - and there's mold in one of the closets.

I hate mold. 🙁

Mold could be an indication of leaky pipes and/or flooded crawl space. Or the house were used as a pot grow op.

The house may need to be gutted inside, however it could be a minor mold area and need spot attention.

By the sound of it the property price should be the price of the lot, and not include the structure or very little.

add:

If mold behind the stain/streak then it could be just spot mold and the wall is leaking .

http://picasaweb.google.com/NHTacoma/SomersworthHouse#5459412868743376130