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1900 twin house

19 years ago

Hi, everyone. This is my first posting on the Old House forum, but I lurk here every now and then. We are looking for a new (old) house, and we are taking a look at this one this evening: MLS 4520103

I know the vinyl siding will cause many to cringe...it caused me to. But, overall the house sounds OK from the listing, and I'm in love with that huge looking dining room. Would you have any tips for problem areas to look out for? The roof is new in 2004, the electric was updated to 200 AMP. The heater is "updated"...who knows when.

Thanks for any advice.

Here is a link that might be useful: circa 1900 twin

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Comments (5)

mandogirl
Original Author
19 years ago
Sorry...I can't get my link to work. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. If folks can look up by MLS #, it's 4520103. Thanks.
happycthulhu
19 years ago
See if this works

Here is a link that might be useful: Pic
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cynthia_gw
19 years ago
'Twin' is new term for me. The listing shows it as 'semi detached' so does that mean that you buy just one half of the home, or do you buy the two family and rent half of it out? Let us know how the tour goes! Outside looks nice, not many pictures of inside...
mandogirl
Original Author
19 years ago
I should have clarified. I think "Twin" is largely a PA or even a Philadelphia area term. Friends from NJ or NY usually have no idea what I mean when I say that, and I was just thinking I haven't really seen very many twins (or semi-detached, also called duplexes, but the side by side kind) outside of my area. But yes, you're right. You buy half the building. These homes were built this way...they weren't once one big house that was divided. Many of them around here are very old and charming. I live in a 1920 Tudor-style stone twin now, actually, which I love but it's just getting too small for us (around 1300 sq. feet).
So, we looked at the 1900 twin linked above last night, and WOW, does it need work. We are fully prepared to do things like remodel the kitchen and bathrooms and other repair work, but not restore a house that has been neglected in this way. The owner has lived there for 43 years, and it looks like he rushed around and did the bare minimum to sell it after neglecting the home for the entire time he lived there. The roof is new in 2004, but from the looks of the plaster on the 2nd and 3rd floors, he ignored years and years of heavy water damage. If I could reach up to the 9 foot ceilings, I'm sure they would feel spongy in places. Stains everywhere. All of the plaster on the top floors would have to be ripped out...no way around it, and then who knows what else we'd find that would have to be fixed. I'm sure the kitchens and baths are original. It's a gem of a home for someone who has the funds and patience for a complete restoration job. But that's not me (mainly the funds reason...for my husband it's the funds and the patience factor!).
But thanks to all who had a look! Thanks, Happy, for the link. Our search goes on! I'll chime in again when we look at another old house!
- Mando
bmmalone
19 years ago
semi-detached is a british term. Many houses are built that way there

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