On Apr 28, 3:57 pm, "Steve" wrote:
My daughter has asked me to look at a house she's considering buying.
An older couple is selling and moving to a retirement home. asking around
$260,000
A couple of things I'm concerned about are the brick foundation with a dirt
floor in the basement.
Someone told her it would be around $5000 to pour cement.
Also two of the room have tin ceilings. anything I should check? I've never
even seen a tin ceiling.
....
Approx. Living Area: 1470 sq. ft.
Approx. Acres: 0.28 (12197 sq. ft.)
Garage Spaces: 1 Detached
Living Area Includes: Heat Zones: HW Radiators, Gas ...

$260k!!! Where is this? Seems like $100k house to me but, of course,
not located (nor have ever lived near) a major metro area. Still,
that seems awfully high.

If the house shows no signs of settling or other problems such as
water, etc., and the brick itself appears in good shape I'd not be
concerned overly much w/ the brick foundation. Fairly common for the
period. Nothing particular that I'd consider looking at the tin
ceilings--it was a very common decorative finish for the period. It
is, in fact, much in demand again for restoration so you'll want to
keep it.

If there isn't much sign of water in the basement, probably won't gain
much by pouring a slab. Either way, it's unlikely to be more than
what it is for space.

I'd recommend an independent inspection from somebody you hire,
probably not somebody recommended by the realtor showing the
property. Sounds as though it has been pretty well updated, but
unless you're capable of telling, you want somebody to ensure there
aren't structural issues underneath a cosmetic layer.

But, if it's a well-constructed house and shows sign of proper
maintenance over the the years, there's nothing really wrong w/ a
house of the age. This house was built in '14 and has been upgraded
throughout and is far better construction, overall, than most new
homes. It was, however, built on a poured concrete basement/
foundation walls.

dpb wrote:

On Apr 28, 3:57 pm, "Steve" wrote:

My daughter has asked me to look at a house she's considering buying.
An older couple is selling and moving to a retirement home. asking around
$260,000
A couple of things I'm concerned about are the brick foundation with a dirt
floor in the basement.
Someone told her it would be around $5000 to pour cement.
Also two of the room have tin ceilings. anything I should check? I've never
even seen a tin ceiling.

...

Approx. Living Area: 1470 sq. ft.
Approx. Acres: 0.28 (12197 sq. ft.)
Garage Spaces: 1 Detached
Living Area Includes: Heat Zones: HW Radiators, Gas ...


$260k!!! Where is this? Seems like $100k house to me but, of course,
not located (nor have ever lived near) a major metro area. Still,
that seems awfully high.

If the house shows no signs of settling or other problems such as
water, etc., and the brick itself appears in good shape I'd not be
concerned overly much w/ the brick foundation. Fairly common for the
period. Nothing particular that I'd consider looking at the tin
ceilings--it was a very common decorative finish for the period. It
is, in fact, much in demand again for restoration so you'll want to
keep it.

If there isn't much sign of water in the basement, probably won't gain
much by pouring a slab. Either way, it's unlikely to be more than
what it is for space.

I'd recommend an independent inspection from somebody you hire,
probably not somebody recommended by the realtor showing the
property. Sounds as though it has been pretty well updated, but
unless you're capable of telling, you want somebody to ensure there
aren't structural issues underneath a cosmetic layer.

But, if it's a well-constructed house and shows sign of proper
maintenance over the the years, there's nothing really wrong w/ a
house of the age. This house was built in '14 and has been upgraded
throughout and is far better construction, overall, than most new
homes. It was, however, built on a poured concrete basement/
foundation walls.


Defo needs an independent inspector. A qualified one.

Daughter is a babe in the woods in this situation.
You would be better served by not having the responsibility
of a bad decision on your shoulders.

Jim

I would only be the first walkthrough inspection.
I already told her she needs an independent inspector to look the house over
if I don't find any major problems.
The house is in southern Massachusetts and $260,000 is cheap in this area!
I've tried to tell her not to fall in love with any house but she's 24 and
has no patience.
She has been looking for 3 - 4 weeks now and this is the first one they
would even consider...

Thanks
For the input!

Steve




"Speedy Jim" wrote in message
...
dpb wrote:

On Apr 28, 3:57 pm, "Steve" wrote:

My daughter has asked me to look at a house she's considering buying.
An older couple is selling and moving to a retirement home. asking around
$260,000
A couple of things I'm concerned about are the brick foundation with a
dirt
floor in the basement.
Someone told her it would be around $5000 to pour cement.
Also two of the room have tin ceilings. anything I should check? I've
never
even seen a tin ceiling.

...

Approx. Living Area: 1470 sq. ft.
Approx. Acres: 0.28 (12197 sq. ft.)
Garage Spaces: 1 Detached
Living Area Includes: Heat Zones: HW Radiators, Gas ...


$260k!!! Where is this? Seems like $100k house to me but, of course,
not located (nor have ever lived near) a major metro area. Still,
that seems awfully high.

If the house shows no signs of settling or other problems such as
water, etc., and the brick itself appears in good shape I'd not be
concerned overly much w/ the brick foundation. Fairly common for the
period. Nothing particular that I'd consider looking at the tin
ceilings--it was a very common decorative finish for the period. It
is, in fact, much in demand again for restoration so you'll want to
keep it.

If there isn't much sign of water in the basement, probably won't gain
much by pouring a slab. Either way, it's unlikely to be more than
what it is for space.

I'd recommend an independent inspection from somebody you hire,
probably not somebody recommended by the realtor showing the
property. Sounds as though it has been pretty well updated, but
unless you're capable of telling, you want somebody to ensure there
aren't structural issues underneath a cosmetic layer.

But, if it's a well-constructed house and shows sign of proper
maintenance over the the years, there's nothing really wrong w/ a
house of the age. This house was built in '14 and has been upgraded
throughout and is far better construction, overall, than most new
homes. It was, however, built on a poured concrete basement/
foundation walls.


Defo needs an independent inspector. A qualified one.

Daughter is a babe in the woods in this situation.
You would be better served by not having the responsibility
of a bad decision on your shoulders.

Jim

"dpb" wrote in message

$260k!!! Where is this? Seems like $100k house to me but, of course,
not located (nor have ever lived near) a major metro area. Still,
that seems awfully high.

Where are you? That house in CT can vary from $250,000 to over $1,000,000
in the right neighborhood. Actually, in Greenwich the lot alone would
fetch close to 7 figures. For the $100k you are talking about, I'd expect
a two room cabin.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
...

"dpb" wrote in message

$260k!!! Where is this? Seems like $100k house to me but, of course,
not located (nor have ever lived near) a major metro area. Still,
that seems awfully high.

Where are you? That house in CT can vary from $250,000 to over $1,000,000
in the right neighborhood. Actually, in Greenwich the lot alone would
fetch close to 7 figures. For the $100k you are talking about, I'd
expect a two room cabin.
Location, location, location. New England housing prices are right up there
with SF bay and Hawaii in absurdity. I have a cousin that bought a 1949
house of similar size, not too far from there, for 400k.

Meanwhile, back here in the real world of flyover country, houses of that
age (OPs or my cousins) and size go for 75k to 200k, depending on
neighborhood and condition. Except that the neighborhood near my office now
requires window bars and sidearms, I could buy 2000 sq ft 1900-1920
demi-mansions, those 2 1/2 story victorians or bricks piles that are
basically cubes, for under 80k, all day long. 90 years ago it was where the
rich people lived. Now, not so much.

The ONLY way housing prices in bubble areas will ever get back to reality,
is if people (and employers) start voting with their feet and going
elsewhere. It has been starting to happen in California, the last few years.
No, wait- there is another way- if the economy goes in crapper, and all
those employers go belly up, and suddenly people can't make the nut on their
mortgages from hell. Hell of a ride if you get out near the top, but you
don't wanna be holding the bag when the bottom falls out.

aem sends....

"aemeijers" wrote in message
Location, location, location. New England housing prices are right up
there with SF bay and Hawaii in absurdity. I have a cousin that bought a
1949 house of similar size, not too far from there, for 400k.

If you are at retirement age and willing to move, you can sell that New
England house and live well in the middle of Nebraska or Arkansas, etc.
..


The ONLY way housing prices in bubble areas will ever get back to reality,
is if people (and employers) start voting with their feet and going
elsewhere. It has been starting to happen in California, the last few
years.

On my way to work I pass a new house being offered for sale for $385,000
with no money down. I cannot imagine buying something of that magnitude if I
don't have at least 15%. This is not a "starter home" at that price.

As for the employers, some are giving college grads 6 figure salaries and
signing bonuses. In my next like I'm going to be a banker or something on
Wall Street.

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"aemeijers" wrote in message

Location, location, location. New England housing prices are right up
there with SF bay and Hawaii in absurdity. I have a cousin that bought a
1949 house of similar size, not too far from there, for 400k.


If you are at retirement age and willing to move, you can sell that New
England house and live well in the middle of Nebraska or Arkansas, etc.
.


The ONLY way housing prices in bubble areas will ever get back to reality,
is if people (and employers) start voting with their feet and going
elsewhere. It has been starting to happen in California, the last few
years.


On my way to work I pass a new house being offered for sale for $385,000
with no money down. I cannot imagine buying something of that magnitude if I
don't have at least 15%. This is not a "starter home" at that price.

As for the employers, some are giving college grads 6 figure salaries and
signing bonuses. In my next like I'm going to be a banker or something on
Wall Street.


That's not a "starter home" around here; that's a shack. (DC area.) Or
a really small condo. It's all a matter of perspective.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:45:32 -0400, "Steve"
wrote:


She has been looking for 3 - 4 weeks now and this is the first one they
would even consider...

Sometimes I look 3-4 weeks for socks.

Although I picked this house after 2 1/2 days. Beautiful stream and
woods just past the back yard, which I didn't think was possible in my
price range.

Although in Baltimore it probably is. Lots of hills. My friend and my
girlfriend both have streams at the edge of their back yards, and my
brother in Dallas. But mine is very much the prettiest.

On Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:58:26 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


Where are you? That house in CT can vary from $250,000 to over $1,000,000
in the right neighborhood. Actually, in Greenwich the lot alone would
fetch close to 7 figures.

Well, in Manhattan it would be 8 or 9 figures.

For the $100k you are talking about, I'd expect
a two room cabin.

In most of NJ you cant get a decent house in a good area for less than
$350k!!! In certain towns that same house wouse sell for $450k!


On Apr 28, 6:14 pm, dpb wrote:
$260k!!! Where is this? Seems like $100k house to me but, of course,
not located (nor have ever lived near) a major metro area. Still,
that seems awfully high.

If the house shows no signs of settling or other problems such as
water, etc., and the brick itself appears in good shape I'd not be
concerned overly much w/ the brick foundation. Fairly common for the
period. Nothing particular that I'd consider looking at the tin
ceilings--it was a very common decorative finish for the period. It
is, in fact, much in demand again for restoration so you'll want to
keep it.

If there isn't much sign of water in the basement, probably won't gain
much by pouring a slab. Either way, it's unlikely to be more than
what it is for space.

I'd recommend an independent inspection from somebody you hire,
probably not somebody recommended by the realtor showing the
property. Sounds as though it has been pretty well updated, but
unless you're capable of telling, you want somebody to ensure there
aren't structural issues underneath a cosmetic layer.

But, if it's a well-constructed house and shows sign of proper
maintenance over the the years, there's nothing really wrong w/ a
house of the age. This house was built in '14 and has been upgraded
throughout and is far better construction, overall, than most new
homes. It was, however, built on a poured concrete basement/
foundation walls.

On Apr 28, 5:58 pm, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message

$260k!!! Where is this? Seems like $100k house to me but, of course,
not located (nor have ever lived near) a major metro area. Still,
that seems awfully high.

Where are you? That house in CT can vary from $250,000 to over $1,000,000
in the right neighborhood. Actually, in Greenwich the lot alone would
fetch close to 7 figures. For the $100k you are talking about, I'd expect
a two room cabin.

Obviously, not in the NE nor West Coast! Middle of flyover country,
of course, where one can actually see both the sky _and_ the
ground!

The closest I ever was stuck to metro area has been in E TN not too
far from Knoxville. In the time were there they managed to pave over
almost the entire western half of Knox County and prices were
approaching such insanity...