Topic 'Know when to run!' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Know-when-to-run-23298000 en Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:31:25 EDT Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:31:25 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315515 2. Your home is a part of you and as such you assign a higher value many times based on emotions instead of facts.
3. People do want new at a used price. However many times you are not asking a new price.
4. New vs Used:
a. New well it’s new, and if you buy before construction is complete you can choose your colors.
b. Used: usually has extras like flower beds, shelves in the garage, added cabinets, blinds, curtains, etc. the owner has put in.
5. You can’t upgrade everything before you sell and get your money back. You’re going to get X amount of dollars per square foot and that’s it. Spend an extra 10K on the kitchen, you won’t get it back. All it will do is help the house sell faster. Put a new roof on for 20K. You won’t get a dime more for the house in most instances. New carpet for 5K. You won’t get any more money.

Again this will just help your house sell better. When you look at the price of homes around you they will look at whether or not items in the home are “serviceable”. Ugly green shag carpet? If it’s in good shape it doesn’t take away from the value of the home. If you spend 10K on new carpet you might get 2K extra during the sell.

One is better off just keeping things up and in good repair. If you want to upgrade or put something new in, do it because you want to do it, not because you are trying to sell it.

Now there are many things you will have to do to sell your home, and you might have to replace the carpet or roof, but there is a buyer for every home. As a buyer if I get a good enough deal I don’t mind spending 100K in repairs. If I am going to pay top dollar then I want everything near new.

There is so much to look at when buying a home, you really need to take your time. I like the idea of going by at all times of the day to see what’s going on. I like talking to the UPS guy and see how many packages come up missing in the neighborhood (no police report, but gives you an idea of the type of people). Many of the local TV stations have where you can check out the crime in a given area. Distance from work, school, traffic, future expansion (will they be building section 8 housing nearby?) Convince to hospitals, fire departments, grocery stores, banks, etc.

Story: We sold a two story 100 year old home on the lake. It was in great shape, but one of the upstairs windows had a crack. Where it was located really didn’t matter (a third story if you will room that was used for nothing and was very small.) We ended up giving them the money to fix it. Guess what? Seven years later and it’s still not fixed. They are selling the house now and wonder why the new buyer wants the window fixed, and they keep telling them it’s no big deal.
--
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315515 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:38:14 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315395
I unfortunately (as I insinuated in the same post) had to also fix a dishwasher and dryer upon moving in. I tore up carpet in one room and installed a laminate floor. There's only two other rooms in the house (bedrooms) with carpet. Both of those cleaned out nicely.

I could have most likely got some $200 carpet and just had it installed...but I preferred to treat my friends to dinner and have it cleaned - and save that $200 towards nice carpet that I actually want.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315395 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:16:02 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315211 said by habya:

.

I'm all for them practicing, but every day gets really annoying. Especially if you work a late shift, and try to get some sleep and start hearing *thud thud thud* at 9 in the morning.
Come by at night or on the weekend. How many homes have lights on? How many people on the street? Groups of youth roaming the streets after dark? Car alarms going off?

Also come in the early morning. You'll never know who has a rooster until its too late. Landscapers that start at 7AM with their leaf blowers are a problem too.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315211 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:35:38 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315166 said by bkjohnson:

Does the water supply have a good recommendation?
I suggest taking a gallon of water home and tasting it. Some municipal water supplies are as chlorinated as a pool. I've visited relatives in an area with random spikes in chlorine in the water. Supposedly the chlorine is in legal limits according to the water company report. On the report the upper end of the chlorine range is 75% higher than New York City's water's upper chlorine range; NYC tap is considered excellent. With this town's water supply, sometimes my eyes tear if I put the water in a bowl and put my eyes near it, and/or I can smell the chlorine coming out of the faucet, or my hands turn crusty and white after washing my hands with the tap (I've never showered with the water in this town).

Do you really want to brita/bottle water/whole house filter you water for the rest of you owning that house?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315166 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:29:46 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315124 said by Killa200:

Before someone notes it, i should have been more specific with my "banned in branch circuits" comment. '05 code dictates its banned unless its anything but alloy aluminum.

310-14 Aluminum Conductor Material. Solid aluminum conductors 8, 10, and 12 AWG shall be made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material.
Try finding those AL wire gauges. NEC might allow next generation 10 (20amp) /12 (15 amp) AL wire, but nobody makes it for USA market.

Smallest they have is 8 gauge. And its not technically romex.

»www.cable.alcan.com/alcancable/e···le+R.htm

Closest you will find to AL romex for branch circuits.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23315124 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:21:59 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23314887 said by nonymous:

Why the heck should I put a like new guarantee and pay to fix up everything. if I did that I might as well stay here. Plus if I do that my price is going up. I need to put thousands in I will do that before I sell and raise the price. You are buying used at used price. You want a fricking new warranty go buy new.
I will not hide any problems but be real is it an older house not brand new. Why the heck should I pay to make it new. You want new then fix it up after purchasing it. All I will guarantee is the age of everything in the house. Roof newer than house. Heatpump installed on x date etc.
Why should I pay if the home inspector says I have old plumbing. You do not have to buy it. Or pay me what I want and install new yourself. I won't lock you into buying if you don't want too why should you be able to lock me into fixing everything up for like new you.
You want a repair buy it and do it yourself. if you do not now want to buy it do not. It may be getting so bad the buyers want the whole house torn down and a new one installed.
Demolish the house, advertise as ready for construction.

My neighborhood, 2 intersection radius, 3 occupied mcmansion, 3 finished vacant mcmansion, 5 unfinished mcmansions started in 2004-2006 and abandoned, 4 empty lots, and 12 old homes with for sale signs.

Apparently foreclosure, ARM resets, and the recession has nothing to do with real estate developers. 1 mcmansion conversion in 2008, 1 demoed now empty lot in september, 1 getting stripped and mcmansioned as of last week. Recession? What recession?

Demolish your house, the land is worth more than the house.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23314887 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:37:37 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23314361 said by Bobcat:

said by MsTerra:

When we were looking, there was one place from which we literally ran - years of water damage from a leaky roof combined with generations of live-in vermin gave the third floor of a single-family on a decent-sized lot (bargain-priced at $419K) such a hideous stench that we knew it was not worth considering. We later learned that the property had garnered multiple bids above ask and finally sold for $480K cash.
Around here, the buyer would tear it down and build a brand new house.
Right, then spend $300k putting up a house, and send the whole kit-n-kaboodle for $1.5m. Welcome to NJ.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23314361 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:01:27 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313997 --
"Strive to change the world in such a way that there's no further need to be a dissident." Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Read my blog! The Joy of Jello Project]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313997 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:56:03 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313965 said by MsTerra:

When we were looking, there was one place from which we literally ran - years of water damage from a leaky roof combined with generations of live-in vermin gave the third floor of a single-family on a decent-sized lot (bargain-priced at $419K) such a hideous stench that we knew it was not worth considering. We later learned that the property had garnered multiple bids above ask and finally sold for $480K cash.
Around here, the buyer would tear it down and build a brand new house.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313965 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:50:21 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313884 said by nevtxjustin:

Or any CAT5 cable spliced with wire nuts. While there are some good ones out there like the OP that is all too common.
Another hint is they like to split pairs to find the red/green in cat 3 or cat 5.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313884 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:42:59 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313911 said by bilbo4fun:

Check for nearby train tracks. Bought a nice place in the country. Closed on it and sitting on back deck heard the train. Never knew a train track was nearby.
The house I bought in June is maybe a quarter mile from a railroad crossing. I hear the train whistle at regular times daily, but it's far enough away that it's kind of a pleasant sound, and I like it. :)

That just goes to show how important the neighborhood is in the equation - and of course there's that expression that the three most important things in real estate are location, location, and location.

This is a really good thread, and I wish I had something I could add, but so far nothing has bitten us in the butt. When we were house-hunting, the main things we were looking out for were "flips" and recent work that might be covering up something. We were looking for an older home (the one we got is ~140 years old) and were prepared for the imperfections ("character") that come with this type of property.

IMHO, "what to run away from" is highly subjective. The important thing is to understand how your resources, aptitude and ambition match up with properties. A "run, don't walk" property to a busy professional might be a great deal for someone who's handy and enjoys working around the house. When we were looking, there was one place from which we literally ran - years of water damage from a leaky roof combined with generations of live-in vermin gave the third floor of a single-family on a decent-sized lot (bargain-priced at $419K) such a hideous stench that we knew it was not worth considering. We later learned that the property had garnered multiple bids above ask and finally sold for $480K cash.
--
"Strive to change the world in such a way that there's no further need to be a dissident." Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Read my blog! The Joy of Jello Project]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313911 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:41:45 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313676 said by nevtxjustin:

said by xbell :

10. Any sign that an electrician has attempted any of the communication wiring in the home. :p
Or any CAT5 cable spliced with wire nuts.
And for that reason alone I redid all the communication wiring in my home.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23313676 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:53:20 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23312980 said by xbell :

10. Any sign that an electrician has attempted any of the communication wiring in the home. :p
Or any CAT5 cable spliced with wire nuts.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23312980 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:09:50 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23312918
We keep our carpets clean, take shoes off at front door (something my wife never did but my mother always taught us to do.) and plan to have it professionally cleaned every few years. After it is done for we will replace with hardwood floors.

said by fcisler See Profile
Filthy! My house was DISGUSTING! I happened to have several friends in damage restoration, though....but it was hell to clean. He said it was on his top 10 list of dirtiest carpets he's ever cleaned.
[/BQUOTE :

--
KieranMullen »360oregon.com
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23312918 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:25:13 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23310702 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23310702 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:20:20 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23309733 said by quatrix:

My wife has been watching a lot of HGTV, and half the time when someone walks into a potential new home they say "oh, we definitely have to redo this carpet/tile/paint/whatever". When did everyone become so stuck-up and wasteful?
so true. it's almost hilarious, especially when the conversation comes to "i like granite but not this granite. may have to replace" and the like.

it has to do with entitlement. people think they must have and deserve whatever it is they want. short-term thinking vs long term. now zoom out: credit crunch, housing bubble, debt crisis. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23309733 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:23:01 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23309009
It practically screams "covering up" now that I think about it. They were clever though. They put down rugs. They put computers and electronics in the basement, chairs, etc.

Can you say "staged". Because there's no way that stuff actually lived down there considering the way water runs in!
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23309009 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:04:56 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23307296 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23307296 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:46:01 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23305105 said by nunya:

9) Broadband. Good one. Several times when hooking up a second phone line for dial up customers advise they never would have bought if they knew broadband was not available.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23305105 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:06:19 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23305039 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23305039 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:06:34 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23305036
Walls bowed inward for any reason. Telltale sign to look closer at structure.

Check circuit breaker loading in key areas. For example - if you turn one off, how many plugs actually go out in the kitchen? We discovered after the fact that our fridge and all available kitchen plugs are on one circuit. Not happy about it, but thankfully will be an easy fix in my home. With the high draw devices in the kitchen, you could end up forever popping breakers.

Check your water pressure. Single shower on - happy? Now try running the kitchen sink, and a bathroom sink? Does the pressure drop drastically?

If it gets to the point of wanting to buy, more investigation is warranted. Take a page from Mike Holmes - check for permits for any recent work, to suggest if it was actually inspected.
--
I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me too....]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23305036 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:03:43 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304861 said by bilbo4fun:

Check for nearby train tracks. Bought a nice place in the country. Closed on it and sitting on back deck heard the train. Never knew a train track was nearby.
I can deal with trains as long as they don't blow their horns. The last place I lived at was maybe only 200-300 feet from a busy railroad. Before my city implemented "quiet zones" (meaning that the engineer is not allowed to blow the horn when going through an area designated as a "quiet zone"), the train horn would drown out the TV sound when I left my front door open.

But the train noise wasn't too bad after the quiet zones went into effect earlier this year.

EDIT: Corrected grammar error.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304861 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:54:03 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304820
- Knob-and-tube wiring. You might have trouble getting and/or keeping your homeowner's insurance if the home has any of this old-fashioned wiring anywhere. But at least K&T is copper :). K&T wiring usually has no ground conductor- surge protectors won't do their job properly if you get an electrical surge. K&T wiring is usually found in home built prior to the 60's (at least here in the Cleveland, OH area anyways).

- When looking at an older (pre-70's) home that has a breaker panel, open (or have an electrician or home inspector open) the breaker panel to make sure that the service wires coming in are rated for 100 amp service or better. I have an electrician coming out Tuesday to replace with 100 amp wires the 60 amp service wires going into my breaker panel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304820 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:38:44 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304693 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304693 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:58:00 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304692 I don't hardly notice them at all if I am in the house.
The tracks are ~600 away. Just get used to it. :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304692 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:57:18 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304612 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304612 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:32:09 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304602 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304602 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:28:04 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304562
They sound good when the seller mentions the home has a warranty, but the reality is the Warranty companies make actually claiming against the warranty (especially if it's a big repair) a real PITA or flat out deny to pay the repairs.

xx.2) French drains and the like. Find out from the seller where they are. Where they go. AND IF THEY WORK! Oh and ask the seller where your main water shut off is. :D

--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304562 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:14:52 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304522 said by Waterbug:

said by horsemouth:

You may want to ask your lawyer next time.
The inspector did not "lie" in his report. He made statements that were open to interpretation. Unfortunately, we didn't read between the lines. I think he was smart enough to skirt legal liability. That's the thing about home inspectors. They aren't liable for anything. Max liability is the amount of the fee. So if you paid him $300 and he screwed up badly, congrats, you can get your $300 back.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304522 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:03:22 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304507
If I do it again, I'll ask a lot more questions, make sure the answers are documented, and if they lie, I'll burn them with their own deceit.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304507 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:04 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304167 said by aeblank:

Like what?!
Wood stove controller
TV/FM antenna
Weather station
Bathroom fan control/timer
Dialup modem phone line adapter (no longer being used)
Remote control shed lights
Telephone/Alarm/Network wiring and cross-connect

I've documented some of this stuff on my site:
»www.tschmidt.com/writings.htm

/tom]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304167 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:27:38 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304151 Also tree roots can cause damage to your foundation.
--
Getting it Done.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23304151 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:20:55 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303762 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303762 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:15 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303612 --
calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303612 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:09:51 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303495 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303495 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:42:33 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303415
School districts affect future selling price so always check the schools even if you don't have kids (yet.)

Make sure you are above the 100 year flood, and you won't be cut off from the rest of civilization even if you stay dry during the flood.
--
standard disclaimers apply.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303415 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:25:35 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303241 said by PhoenixDown:

Zombies... definitely zombies!
In the basement particularly.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303241 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:44:49 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303187 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23303187 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:31:30 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302826 --
calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302826 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:16:06 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302704 said by tschmidt:

Being an engineer I've designed some purpose gear for our home.Like what?!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302704 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:54:24 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302703

If the bathroom looks like this (and the asking price is $125k!), run.

More here - »lovelylisting.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302703 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:54:10 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302667 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302667 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:49:10 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302656 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302656 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:47:21 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302649 --
calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302649 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:46:29 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302635 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302635 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:43:34 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302611
We currently rent a house, and just from that I'm going to make the neighborhood priority number one. When we first moved in here it was nice, quiet, many retired older folks, and was a great neighborhood. This year it has gotten worse and worse. We've got the ghetto creep (spread of low-rent housing and welfare) coming up one of the streets. We also had the 2 houses across from us rented out by some young guys (all around 20). BOTH of them have bands and play the drums. It's literally drumming from about 9:00am until 2:00pm then a small break. Then again from 4:00pm - 10:30pm just about every single day....it's about to drive us nuts. If one group is playing, the other is.

I'm all for them practicing, but every day gets really annoying. Especially if you work a late shift, and try to get some sleep and start hearing *thud thud thud* at 9 in the morning.

Quick question about inspectors. How would you all recommend finding one? Nobody I know have bought a house in years. They all rent or live in an apartment. Do you rely on word of mouth recommendations, phone book, realtor recommendation (some seem to not want this)? Any good questions you should ask them before hiring them, specific licenses or knowledge etc?
--
HABYA HABYA HABYA TEAR DOWN THE HEMP STALKS EAT UP THE OLD MAN AND WOMAN AND CARRY OFF THE LITTLE GIRL MAY YOU DIE ALONE]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302611 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:39:21 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302301 said by Lazlow:

The words floodplain. Even if there has been no water there in thirty years, it will require a extra insurance rider on the mortgage. Then there is always the once a century flood that shows up (see St. Louis 2008 and the 100 or so condemned houses).
Or in north metro area of Atlanta. I work for a school system and we had an elementary school on a 500 year plain, water to the roof... as the water went down, you could see drop ceiling tiles float away. about 250 houses around it are ruined, one flooded to just above the first floor, and the second floor caught fire and burned to the water line. Where I live was on a 500 yr plain but fortunate for me the area has great drainage to a lake that was pretty low (not anymore though)

Things I've found since buying my house this past May as a first time buyer:

1) If you have an unfinished basement that is insulated, take some of it down and see if the foam board on the outside is continuous. Mine had major gaps that I had to fill allowing heat, moisture and bugs through.

2) Be prepared for connection fees. You may not have to put a deposit down, but they don't tell you about the 30, 60 etc. dollar connect fee.

3) Gift cards to Home depot, lowes, etc. are like gold. Use them wisely

4) Rustoleum Universal made a brass light oil bronsed :)

5) If you are a techie like me (who isn't here right?) and the existing communication wiring is substandard. If you have to open walls, do it before you paint. If you have the funds (remember the gift cards?) use some sort of flex conduit to make sure you only have to open the walls once.

6) Get a good set of air filters for the first couple months. You will be kicking up dust and it can get bad fast. Filters will help you from sneezing when you are moving that couch up the stairs.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302301 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:46:45 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302287
If it has a dishwasher MAKE SURE IT RUNS A FULL CYCLE! Mine "ran"...it just never stopped!

Dryer - same deal. Mine "ran" - it just didn't DRY.

I'd also look at the heating system and see if it has a repair log/record on it. Mine hadn't been serviced in YEARS and required almost a full rebuild. Under $250 for me to do it, well over $600 for someone to come in and do it.

Outside/Buried oil tank. EPA will come down hard on you if there is ever a leak. Around here they require a disclosure statement that there was never one outside/buried.

AC. Central AC is nice but has it been maintained? Is it as old as the dinosaurs? Mine had a AC through to the garage (moisture problems!) and unfortunately there's no where else to put one through wall.

In ground pool. Maintenance and TAXES could kill you if you don't want one or want to maintain it. Also a b*tch to remove if in ground.

Filthy! My house was DISGUSTING! I happened to have several friends in damage restoration, though....but it was hell to clean. He said it was on his top 10 list of dirtiest carpets he's ever cleaned.

Not all deal breakers or "run away screaming" but a couple of issues I ran into/missed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302287 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:44:22 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302268 said by bent:

Well, if I'm paying full market value for a house, it better be in pretty damn near new condition. The thing is - the "full market value" or "appraised value" of the house is the value of the house in it's current condition, not the vallue of the house if it was like-new.
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Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302268 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:40:01 EDT Re: Know when to run! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302057 said by scooper:

Blanket off the cuff remarks just to draw a reaction will not win you any points with me. Serious discussion will be treated appropriately. You come combatative at me - you're going to get that and worse from me. You didn't get that specific in your other post. If it's a reasonable request, then you should be negotiable. If you have 20 years left on your roof then yes, that's not reasonable. If you only have a year or two left as the inspector said, then it's not reasonable to raise your price to cover replacement.

I wasn't being combative or trying to get a reaction. The way you phrased it was ridiculous. So no need to go all Internet tough guy on me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Know-when-to-run-23302057 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:08:24 EDT