Looking at a 1912 house

11 years ago

So my fiance and I were originally looking at building lots but we noticed a foreclosure in the area we are looking in for about the same money as the lots we were looking at (we are looking for 3+ acres in central Pennsylvania). We were supposed to meet our realtor but due to a last minute emergency he rescheduled while we were already there. Regardless, this is a 1912 house and completely not what I had been doing research on so I had a few questions.

Few facts -
1. 1700+ square feet, newer siding, roof looked newer, just dropped dramatically in price because the septic was not working. From what I can tell, it looks like it has been attempted to been sold for numerous times (starting at $140,000+ and going down) since 2008 and then went into foreclosure and was put up by the bank in March.
2. Besides knowing I would have to replace the septic, my other big money concern is the foundation. It looks like the original brick foundation is there and crumbling but a new cinderblock foundation has been built about four feet around it. Problem is, from what I can tell, the only thing that the new cinderblock foundation is holding up is the wraparound porch. The rest of the house appears directly above the original brick foundation. I do not know anything about load bearing beams or the like so does this add-on foundation sound like something that is done with houses in this period?
3. It looks like this house was sold in 1993, 1994, 1998 and then exchanged hands between a divorced couple in the 2000s. With that many exchanges is it likely that I will still find lead piping in the house or is it something that is usually looked at and fixed during inspections?
4. When we actually get inside of the house, what should I specifically be looking for to see if it might have any big problems?
5. If you have redone an older home, does anyone know what problems come with tearing down walls, making window openings bigger, or putting in an hvac system? I know these would be things we would want to do.

I obviously will be getting an inspector if we decide to proceed but I know that due to this being a foreclosure and being sold as is that I do not want to put in an offer and pay for an inspection if I can tell right out that this will cost dramatically more than a new home build. I love the location, love the porch, have lived in an older house before so love the usual character, but am hesitant about fixing it.

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Comments (2)

columbusguy1
11 years ago
Not to be mean or overly blunt--but you probably should move on to another lot; you don't seem interested in the house for its own merits, so leave it to someone who will restore it rather than make it into a modern remuddle.

I doubt if the brick foundation is crumbling, although that might be possible, but it probably just needs tuck pointing of the joints. A cinderblock foundation for the porch is not period, and must be a later addition, although the porch may be original. Septic systems do not always need to be redone, it may just need to be cleaned out. Our rural house had one and it was cleaned about every decade or so...we also had extremely hard water from our own well, and that required a softening system. :)

Newer siding makes me think vinyl or aluminum, in which case, gods only know what things it is hiding with the history of disinterest this house has received from owners.

There will be no lead piping, except very possibly in a drain...water piping was often galvanized rather than copper at that time...whether it needs replacing depends on if it leaks.

All in all, you seem uninterested in this house for itself, so move on to another property.
User
11 years ago
we noticed a foreclosure in the area we are looking in for about the same money as the lots we were looking at

So ... if you consider this a tear-down, which it might be if the siding is hiding horrible things and the foundation has "jack the house up and replace it" problems, does the lot itself meet your qualifications?

Because worst case, a structural engineer looks at it and says "not fixable, salvage what you can and call the bulldozer". And you end up with the cost of clearing plus rebuilding.

You say you have lived in an older home, but unless you have been through - or witnessed someones else - rehabbing something from that era you are in live with the ambiance. the reality can be ugly.

They may need complete rewiring and replumbing and repair/replacement of the floor joists and some wall supports before you can even think about the cosmetics and conveniences.
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Looking at a 1912 house

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columbusguy1

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