Re: [BlindHandyMan] older homes - what to look for

[Betsy Whitney, Dolphin Press]

Too bad this realtor seems to be more interested 
in selling property than honesty.
I just can't imagine anyone thinking those 
windows are better, we had them in my growing-up house.
oi... Betsy
At 06:18 AM 6/14/2010, you wrote:
>
>
>The guy's full of it. The house I grew up in was of that type. The glass
>was always cold and formed ice. You could put storm windows on the outside
>which would give you several inches between the windows which would help.
>Isn't inspections mandatory in your state with selling a home?
>
>You should hire an inspector who does this for a living. It's not what you
>can see but rather what you can't. Water damage, dry rot, termites etc.
>Those things often can't bee seen and it takes somebody who is trained in
>knowing what to look for. The inspection is mandatory in many states and
>the home owner should have that done in order to sell the house. If your
>state doesn't require it, you can hire a professional to do the job for you.
>The fee is around 400 to 500 dollars but if your really serious about buying
>it it's well worth the price especially if you live in an area with high
>humidity.
>
>Alan
>
>Please click on: 
><http://www.home.earthlink.net/~alanandsuzanne/>http://www.home.earthlink.net/~alanandsuzanne/
>There, you'll find files of my arrangements and performances played on
>the Yamaha Tyros keyboard. I often add files so check back regularly!
>
>The albums in Technics format formerly on my website are still
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>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Scott Howell" <<mailto:s.howell%40verizon.net>s.how...@verizon.net>
>To: <<mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 4:03 AM
>Subject: [BlindHandyMan] older homes - what to look for
>
> > Hi good people,
> >
> > Well let me tell you a little story and try not to bore you to tears or
> > make this a super long message. My wife and I walk by this home and have
> > done so for several years. She has always commented on how lovely the
> > house looks and incredibly it went on the market about 10 days ago.
> > Apparently the couple that owned it has passed on and the kids have
> > decided to sell the property.
> > So, here is a description, which will help set the tone of the question.
> > The house is a custom-built Rambler, constructed in 1954, and is all
> > brick. The house is not very large (according to the tax record is 1,500
> > square feet) and has a living room, dining room, kitchen, full bath, and
> > four bedrooms; on one level. I neglected to bring a tape when we took a
> > tour, but think I would if we take another look. There is an attic with a
> > fixed set of stairs and it has flooring down and the roof is not plywood,
> > but (I can't think of the correct name) some sort of planks with shingles
> > over that. The basement is partially finished with solid pine paneling and
> > interesting it has a solid block wall running down the middle and
> > apparently this was common in the 50's. It has an oil-fired boiler that
> > provides baseboard heat and it does have central air, but that was added
> > later and the air handler is in the attic and the vents are in the
> > ceiling.
> > Ok, so the purpose of describing this house is I am curious what things I
> > should be looking for if we seriously entertain the idea of purchasing it.
> > I understand there is a breaker panel and not a fusebox. However, let me
> > mention a couple other things as well. There is a separate two-car garage
> > that does have a fusebox, but this is a very substantial structure that
> > they even put in some ceiling fans since one of the kids used to detail
> > cars in there. In addition, there are two (I know this sounds nuts)
> > walk-in freezers. I am talking freezers that are stand-alone buildings.
> > Apparently this gent used to cut up meat for people if they would bring
> > him the animal. Now the freezers are no longer operational, but they have
> > been used for storage and either would make an excellent workshop. Oh as a
> > side note, they are tossing in two tractor/mowers, a big walk-behind
> > mower, and a snow blower. SO, honestly, the only issues for me is little
> > if any closet space and that apparently was common in the 50[s as well and
> > I know I would have to install a dish washer and a few other changes. The
> > place has all hardwood floors under carpet and I can't imagine it would
> > take much to fix these up. So, of course I am researching whether I could
> > purchase the place that does sit on 2.5 acres and gee I could sell one of
> > them and make half my investment bak.
> > So, again, what stuff should I look at that could really be an issue for a
> > home of this age. Btw, I did not smell any wet oders or anything that
> > would indicate leaking of the basement or house in general.
> > SOrry for going on so, but hope it planted some neat images. As one final
> > side note/question, the windows are the single-pane type with storm
> > windows. The agent showing the home tried to tell me these are more
> > efficient than the newer double-pane windows and I think he's
> > way-off-track on this. I remember these growing up and having ice on the
> > inside. So, is it possible that these could really be efficient in some
> > way? Just curious.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
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