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| Author |
Message |
| 25 new of 87 responses total. |
bdh3
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response 31 of 87:
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Jul 8 07:06 UTC 2000 |
What are its problems? If you don't see any find some
good friends to look it over. Why is the owner selling?
(In my case the owners live in England and the cops were
being called a couple times a week for the parties the renting
lawyer frat was holding. You should be so lucky...)
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slynne
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response 32 of 87:
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Jul 8 11:16 UTC 2000 |
Well, I havent actually looked at it nor have I spoken to the realtor about
it yet. But, it is kind of shabby. It definately needs work. The question is:
How much work? I will have to find out and I will have to make a decision
about if I am willing to do what needs to be done to make the house livable.
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tod
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response 33 of 87:
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Jul 8 12:34 UTC 2000 |
If it's kitchen or bathroom work, expect to pay at least $100 a square
foot for repair. At all costs, avoid a home that requires
substantial repairs to the plumbing.
You may wish to call the city or even a veteran's organization
and ask for a good home inspector. They usually charge $200
and are VERY worth their experience and knowledge to help
you from getting screwed.
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mary
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response 34 of 87:
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Jul 8 13:00 UTC 2000 |
Michigan law now allows (forces) real estate agents to
declare whether they are working as a seller's agent, a
buyer's agent, or a dual agent. This is one of the first
things an agent should mention and you sign a contract with
the agent stipulating the role he or she will be playing.
The buyer or seller gets to choose which role the agent plays.
Make sure the agent feel like a good fit. This will come
in very handy when things start getting tense and serious.
Make sure the house feels right, warts and all. This should
be obvious right through the blemishes and bad decorating.
You'll not be anxious to leave. You'll find yourself wanting
to know everything about it right down to a little about everyone
who ever lived there.
Buying a house is a little like getting married. First there
is infatuation. Know that is all too transient. Then there will
be both anticipated and unanticipated problems. It's risky stuff
but if you can roll with the changes and challenges it's a great
ride.
Happy house hunting.
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mary
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response 35 of 87:
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Jul 8 13:02 UTC 2000 |
P.S. We are in the process of selling, buying, and moving.
I feel your pain. ;-)
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iggy
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response 36 of 87:
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Jul 8 13:13 UTC 2000 |
what kind of heat is there for the winter? natural gas? fuel oil?
what if it was converted to gas after it had been an oil furnace?
what i am trying to ask, what if the fuel tank is still buried
in the yard? has the tank itself broken down with a slow leak?
would you be responsible for the removal of the tank and contaminated soil?
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lowclass
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response 37 of 87:
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Jul 8 15:44 UTC 2000 |
How old is it? COnsider what the construction codes and practices were
when it was built, it's a pretty good indication of dependability and future
problems. And for god's sake, evaluate the roof. Does it need new shingles?
(Look for curling of the shingles, and moss on the roof.) while you're at it,
check the ceilings in each and every room for signs of water damage. THere
are some paints that will cover the water stains, chekc closely for
indications of their use. (Usually the ceiling color will vary a shade or two,
check it in very good lighting.
Another thing to check is the sill, which is the major board betweeen
the house and the foundation. look for dry rot and water damage. it's fairly
wise to take along a penknife to check for sound wood. Do that to the window
frames and sills as well.
AND by all means, take along a legal pad and inpen, and write down ALL
the potential problems, and price out, or at least ballpark, the cost of
fixing up those problems. You DON'T want to tackle all those costs by
yourself, and affording reapairs AFTER you've budgeted to the bone for the
downpayment, closing costs, monthly payments, and taxes, is extremely
depressing and stress you don't need.
In spite of that, I wish you all the luck in the world.
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slynne
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response 38 of 87:
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Jul 8 16:56 UTC 2000 |
Man, there sure are a lot of things I havent thought of. This house was built
in 1901, it has gas heat but probably did used to have oil heat considering
it's age. This house is cheap enough that I can buy it and still have $10,000
or so in cash left that I can use on repairs. However, I know that $10,000
might not be enough if it is in really bad shape. Oh well, hopefully next week
I will have better luck getting in touch with the realtor about actually
seeing the house.
Also, there is another house on Summit st where the asking price is 109,000
but I dont think it is worth that. I am planning on seeing that house as well
if it is still on the market after september (and if I am still looking then).
I'll offer something like 90,000 <shrug> which is actually more in line with
what it is worth compared to other houses in the neighborhood.
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carla
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response 39 of 87:
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Jul 8 18:01 UTC 2000 |
lynne, is you are talking about the house that's accross the street from
brad and I, brad says not to pay any more than 9ok for it.
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ric
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response 40 of 87:
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Jul 8 20:31 UTC 2000 |
Adrienne and I went and looked at one house in the "student district" of Ypsi.
Oh my god. It was the scariest house I've ever seen. Many of the floors were
"crooked", and there was this huge octopus-like beast of a furnance in the
basement. It was freaky.
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scg
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response 41 of 87:
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Jul 8 20:46 UTC 2000 |
The house I grew up in had an Octopus furnace, originally designed to burn
coal but later retrofitted with a gas unit, until I was 12 years old. then
my parents got teh house remodeled, and got it replaced with a couple of
modern furnaces.
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johnnie
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response 42 of 87:
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Jul 8 21:10 UTC 2000 |
Don't forget a pest inspection. A stake survey is wise, as well.
And remember to budget a couple grand for closing costs and the like.
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stacie
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response 43 of 87:
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Jul 8 21:12 UTC 2000 |
Damn girl, I think you should just get a pop-up camper and forget all this
crap. *snort* Besides, think how easy it will be to stalk people if you can
just take your home along....
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jerryr
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response 44 of 87:
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Jul 8 21:20 UTC 2000 |
aren't most of the houses on summit student ghetto apartments?
just one thought about traffic. both summit and river are high traffic
streets. might not be a factor for you tho.
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slynne
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response 45 of 87:
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Jul 9 03:05 UTC 2000 |
I thought about the camper thing but they arent good investments. It would
make my stalking habit easier though.
Yes, both River and Summit are high traffic streets. I would prefer to live
on a street with less traffic but since both of these houses have fenced back
yards, I can do the high traffic street thing with my dogs. I dont care about
traffic noise but I would worry about my doggers and I will probably have to
discontinue my habit of taking the dogs on a short morning walk off leash.
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carla
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response 46 of 87:
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Jul 9 05:04 UTC 2000 |
some of them may be a little student ghetto, but there are
worse parts of Ypsi. A lot of the buildings have been remodeled
or are in the process of being remodeled. It's a fairly nice looking
neighborhood for a student ghetto.
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bdh3
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response 47 of 87:
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Jul 9 09:18 UTC 2000 |
slynne, I forgot to mention, one Pat Ballard is an honest
realtor. Think Mary Remmers has a passing aquaintance
with her. (Kicks self for not remembering it earlier)
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mary
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response 48 of 87:
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Jul 9 12:23 UTC 2000 |
Pat Ballard is no longer a realtor. But if you want to travel
to Everest's base camp she could help you out. She has been
the manager at Journey's for about 6 years now.
Still, that was a nice comment, Brian, and I'll pass it on.
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tpryan
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response 49 of 87:
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Jul 9 14:03 UTC 2000 |
Bring a marble to drop on the kitchen floor, to see how fast
it rolls away from you.
I had a compass for myself when I went house hunting. I wanted
a house that was west facing or towards south facing to have shade in
the back of the house in the afternoon. This house faces west. Here
at 10am, thought, I got a backyard that is almost all shade due to the
high trees at the back and sides of the yard. Only direct sun on the
back of the house.
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jmsaul
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response 50 of 87:
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Jul 9 14:24 UTC 2000 |
(Or just bring a level instead of using a marble. Easier.)
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slynne
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response 51 of 87:
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Jul 9 15:34 UTC 2000 |
Yeah. I think I can get a level. Not a bad idea.
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goose
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response 52 of 87:
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Jul 9 16:09 UTC 2000 |
A marble is smaller though...
Those 'octopus' furnaces are a gravity furnace. They look strange, but they
are designed that way.
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slynne
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response 53 of 87:
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Jul 9 16:39 UTC 2000 |
Just a question. What does it mean if the floor is warped. Does it just
mean that the floor is warped a little (which I could live with) or is a
warped floor the sign of a more serious problem?
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jmsaul
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response 54 of 87:
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Jul 9 17:18 UTC 2000 |
Do you want that phone number? ;-)
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aaron
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response 55 of 87:
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Jul 9 17:19 UTC 2000 |
Since when were you bothered by things that were warped? ;)
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