First Time House

newguy07

I am looking to purchase a house within the next 6 months or so.

My question was when looking for a house (fixer upper) what are some things in building construction that I should look for to make sure this house is sturdy?


I was thinking
1. Block construction
2. Central heat and air


What other things or correct me if I am wrong.

Please let me know. I am looking for a fixer upper to fix and live in for my first house.

works4me

Spend a few hundred when you see what you like and have a licensed home inspector (I am one by the way) look it over for you. Make sure your home inspector is currently or was involved in construction (alot just pass a state test and take some classes). I am a full time contractor that does home inspections on the side, and I enjoy going through houses and answering alot of the type of questions you have. Of course I can say alot off the record (not in the typed report - insurance reasons - we can't price items and such). Realtors (I am a licensed one also) hate when you kill the deal but sometimes I inform them that what looks like a fixer upper is way beyond repair or clue them in on what really needs to be done, makes the realtor mad but I am working for the client (HO) who pays me.

newguy07

I am definitely going to spend the extra money on a home inspection. That is a dead give away.

Michaeljp86

I would say dont buy one with a concrete floor, get a basement or a crawl space so you can work.

works4me

Now, to answer your question i would say since it is your first home look for something simple to work on (normally a ranch style [no upstairs plumbing to mess with and easier roofing job if needed] with a full basement [if basements are common in the area you live - for access to plumb and wire]. I know simple things, but often overlooked. If you are doing some of the fix ups yourself you should already have an o.k. understanding of wether the house is sturdy or not. The materials used don't always suggest the sturdiest home. It depends who put them in and how. A great block basement job can fail (bow in) if grading is poor and the extensions are gone from the gutters, dropping all the water at the wall. But it is an experience thing also, I get great deals on some fixer uppers because what looks like severe damage/problems to the seller can be fixed fairly quick and cheap. I find the best deals in these cases, not the standard carpet and paint fixer uppers.

newguy07

I live in tampa,florida so basements are definitely not common.. HAH.. There is a lot of houses here in from the 40's I definitely don't want to mess with. I would perfer something in the 70's. I was thinking I should look out for abestoes in the popcorn ceiling.

The repairs. Well I am not the best remodeling. I am getting into electrical work but I don't know anything about remodeling. I hope I can learn and willing to learn but I am just getting started.

Celtic

Ya know....asbestos was/is NOT limited to that popcorn ceiling:
- cement shingles had asbestos
- vinyl floor tiles
- plumbing insulation (especially around heat ~ does Tampa get that cold???)
- etc.

Asbestos was hailed as a building marvel in it's time...impervious to heat, electrically insulating, stronger - yet lighter than steel, the popcorn ceilings(fire proofing)...etc. It was used in just about everything.

Lead paint is another skeleton in the closest from days gone by.

I am not trying to scare anyone....just KNOW what you are buying before you buy it...'cause then it your mess to deal with.

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newguy07

I understand. A house in the 80's or late 70's shoudn't have it though. They did away with it in what 1975? I don't know the full history on it..

Celtic

Asbestos was banned in '78 (or so)...it is possible for the stuff to be in a home built in the 80's

Lead paint was banned in '78. BUT...it is possible that lead paint was used up through a portion of the 80's ....ie, Johnny buys a house in '83, Dad helps out with painting using leftover paint that contained lead.

The lead issue is a different animal than the asbestos. The EPA requires a full disclosure on lead - not so with asbestos.

Lead links:
http://www.epa.gov/lead/
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5054.html
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/rde/has...adpamphlet.pdf


Asbestos links:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/asbestos.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/453.html


Do a Google search...stick to the gov't sites (ends with .GOV)....then read the commercial sites (.COM).

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Kingfisher

get a home inspection I live in a 1947 home in South Tampa. The old one have issues but they are cheaper too. If you want to learn do it your self on your own home best place in the world. Block is good but the bugs can still eat eveything else like the wall furring strips,roof and interor studs so just look for a good home and do not limit your search by only block. Know the area are you looking and get a good agent for that area. Agents need to be in the area you are looking to know it's quirks. If you are looking down here in South Tampa send me a PM with your phone # and I see what I can do to help. Zip realty has a great site that you can setup to send you new listing by Email the day they hit the market for your search critera, know several people who got there first because of this, no fees its free and all listing not just their. Good Luck

newguy07

Thanks, I signed up for zip realty. If you are ever see a place in south tampa look me up. Also, I pmed you.

newguy07

I was looking on that zip realty website and there was a homes that were several years old with 3 bedrooms that were beautiful for about 140k... Not a bad price...

I wonder if this is becaues of the bad real estate market or what but this is pretty nice.