House hunting getting serious (gulp)

"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre) 01/21/2019 at 13:07 • Filed to: None

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We finally got the chance to check out a place we were really interested in from pictures this weekend.

My wife sent some questions to our realtor yesterday, and we heard back today. The answers were good enough that we’re now saying things like “what’s our next step.”

If the place had a half bath upstairs I’d be looking for housing inspectors already. There is room to add one down the line, but I have no idea the cost of that kind of thing to a 130 year old plaster and lathe house.

It has had a metal roof installed, brand new HVAC including all ductwork, a water heater, and has  been connected to the city sewer system all within the last 3 years.

It sits on just shy of 2 acres, has a barn that can fit three cars and still leave room for a workshop, has a 90 year old carriage house to use as a shed, no rear neighbors, and is situated in an unincorporated community which means no local income tax.

ranwhenparked > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 13:21

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Not necessarily *that* difficult, if you have a closet right under it on the 1st floor where you can hide the waste pipe.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 13:24

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That all sounds pretty good to me. good luck. House shopping is rarely if ever fun. 

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 13:31

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I’m in similarly old house. I ran into a few things when removing a plaster wall. Thankfully none were show stoppers. There’s likely horsehair in that plaster, people with animal allergies may be sensitive to it when you start hacking into it. There was an asbestos covered duct inside of my wall, had it professionally removed, thankfully the duct was no longer in use. Lots and lots of dust. I had the plaster tested for asbestos just to be sure.

Anyway, I love that wrap-around porch!

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/21/2019 at 13:32

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It’s fun and exciting early on, but when it gets down to numbers, paperwork, taxes, insurance, moving, it gets daunting/boring/not-fun/stressful all at the same time.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 13:45

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Has the electrical been updated? If so: DO IT.

If not: HMMMMMM

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/21/2019 at 13:45

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It made me age 15 years in 6 months.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 13:55

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Love those verandas 

Ready for an adventure! > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 14:10

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for $140K I’d be all over that. I’m helping my son(25yo) look and that place would be a steal in West Michigan. Especially with that backyard. The first three things to look at are.....

1. Location

2. Location

3. Location

that’s what they say....

Kiltedpadre > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/21/2019 at 14:30

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Yep, new circuit breaker panel and completely rewired in 2015.

Kiltedpadre > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/21/2019 at 14:31

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We both like it. The thing that has me unsure is we’ve only looked at 4 houses so far. 

Kiltedpadre > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 01/21/2019 at 14:32

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Oh god, moving is the worst part to me. We have all the tax info, and it’s pretty low compared to other areas we’ve seen.

Kiltedpadre > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/21/2019 at 14:33

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Thankfully the southwestern Ohio housing market is much less cut throat than your area. Houses here almost always sell for under asking.

Kiltedpadre > ranwhenparked 01/21/2019 at 14:34

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The area with space is directly over the existing bath and and laundry room.

Kiltedpadre > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 01/21/2019 at 14:35

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I already have a swing to hang on the porch and there’s hardware in place.

ranwhenparked > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 14:42

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Maybe you could plumb up through the laundry room and avoid having to gut anything in the bathroom. Maybe box the pipe in the corner.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 15:11

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yeah I get that we looked at 5 or 6 houses over a 6 month period before we bought. Although it was pretty easy for us as we had already lived in our house for 5 years as renters. 

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 15:19

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Wish I could say the same for the urban Cincinnati areas. Im waiting a few years to buy to see if it cools off, it’s insane around the towns within the 275 loop.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 15:25

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We just re-did and expanded the upstairs bathroom (shower and tub, dual vanity) in our 100 year old lathe and plaster house. All in it was about $20, 000. Just as a data point for ya.

AfromanGTO > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 15:30

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We were house shopping for a long time. A majority of the houses in our area are overpriced and out dated. We are building a house, because it is cheaper than buying a home and renovating it.

Kiltedpadre > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy 01/21/2019 at 16:10

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Yeah, I used to work down in Clermont County and we were considering looking that direction. Housing costs is one of the 100 reasons I’m glad I don’t work there anymore.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 16:11

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Do it! also plaster sucks big time.

In a perfect world you’d gut and re insulate , and sheet rock it. But thats is a big under taking. We did it, it sucked, but in hindsight, totally worth it, I couldnt even imagine how much heat would have been had we not done that. It took us 6 months total, 90 % diy, we still have another story to do, but the master is on the first floor, so we’re not in a rush to finish. 

Kiltedpadre > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/21/2019 at 16:11

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Thanks for the info. We only have room for a half bath, but it would be all new plumbing so I’m sure that’ll add to the cost.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Kiltedpadre 01/21/2019 at 16:53

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Yeah that is fair. We ran new PEX supply lines from the basement and replaced the lead parts of the drains, but left the big iron as-is. We also deleted a closet and did some electrical. That said the shower and the tub were a huge part of the cost (about $5,000 and $1,500 respectively ) so... I dunno. I guess it depends on how hard it is to run a new 4" drain.

Some progress pictures here , if you’re interested.

Kiltedpadre > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/21/2019 at 18:18

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That looks fantastic.