How old is the roof? Any signs of leaks around the chimneys?
Did you get a peek in the basement? How old is the wiring?
Vinyl siding on an old house makes me nervous, it can trap moisture (especially if someone uses a power washer).
Looking at the front door, I'd want to check the sill under it.
"it would mean making a lifestyle out of renovation, for several years."
Possibly longer. :)
After 15 years of living in my house, I finally covered up the dirt floor with a concrete floor (with drains along the foundation). It's a big improvement.
p.s. Please don't tell Ann about your idea of keeping horses at the house.
I'd get a home inspection before moving on this. Thrice flooded, rotting woodwork, windows that need replacing. I'll bet dollars to donuts that the exterior walls need insulating. Did you get to look at the mud sills?
Well yeah, of course it needs insulation. It probably needs electrics and plaster too. Hell, they're talking about taking half of it down (though I echo the "nooooooo" there). I imagine this is as much of a project as the Chicken Works.
Yeah, I read this as a remake of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House that's probably best avoided. I'm hoping it's not a sign of things to come that the homeowner is interested in selling the land, not just the house.
Insulating walls and replacing windows is useful, but as far as recouping money from energy savings, it's not very effective. Sealing drafts (caulking) should be top of the list (doesn't cost much, can greatly cut fuel bill).
yeah, i'd get a solid inspection done. in particular, roof, chimney, foundation, and sills. regarding the basement flooding, does it have a sump pump? if not, that might be the thing to do there.
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Go for it - old houses need someone to love them, and I think you and f would be great at it.
I'd even come help you out sometimes...
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How old is the roof? Any signs of leaks around the chimneys?
Did you get a peek in the basement? How old is the wiring?
Vinyl siding on an old house makes me nervous, it can trap moisture (especially if someone uses a power washer).
Looking at the front door, I'd want to check the sill under it.
"it would mean making a lifestyle out of renovation, for several years."
Possibly longer. :)
After 15 years of living in my house, I finally covered up the dirt floor with a concrete floor (with drains along the foundation). It's a big improvement.
p.s. Please don't tell Ann about your idea of keeping horses at the house.
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I'm probably too lazy to keep horses at the house... Having someone else deal with it all is pretty sweet, really.
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