Acreage

[IAfarmer]

I want to throw something out to you guys.

Been looking at an acreage with a house that was built in 1885. I currently live on a lot that us just under an acre, with lots of trees and really is nice, but doesn't have a lot of Cub room, or garden space.

The house is bowing inward at the top floor. I would need to install a new kitchen, and there is tons of patchwork to do on crumbling walls.

Structural engineer says the foundation is fine, but needs some improvement downstairs due to a foundation wall being pushed out to expand a crawl space. In adequate structuring was put in place to hold up the floor.

What might I be getting myself into? Gut says run, wise old man from home says run, but wife is in tears over this. The land is excellent, and would be great for me, the boys, and my tractor lust.

What would you do (though I know you haven't seen it).

[67hydro]

Hire someone who could give you an estimate on the repairs.When you say it is bowing in in the middle that sounds terrible to me.BUT as you say its a description not a picture!!placing Proper structure/beams ,joists id imagine would be costly.Why was the proper beams structuring not put in place when the crawl space was expanded,maybe gets in the way of something,isn't possible,was done by homeowner who didnt have the knoledge,?????.Can you sell the house your in now to make the proper corrections to the house to make it livable or rent it and use the extra income to put into the new house or bulldoze the classic 1800s house and build a new one on your dream property.
If your gut says run,you relay need to justify the purchase,cause the gut is right OR you are nervous because your not sure of the repairs.

If it was me and this is my dream home and land Id get it and fix it even though Id be scared!!

[IAfarmer]

I need to sell one to do the other. Part of the profits of the old house would work on improveing the new house and land.

The engineer I hired said it woud cost between 10 and 20 grand to fix what is there, plus what ever was damaged is the house was repaired (cracks in walls, siding, roof, etc). He also said for about 40 grand we could have a whole new basement poured.

Hate to walk into a money pit but man, the land is nice.

[Eagle Keeper]

I'd have to have a lot more info. I have done restorations like this. What you see is only half of the story. A sagging structure is not good at all. Usually that means a load bearing wall has been removed or compromised. Or substandard floor joist were used in the second story. I would get the opinion of a contractor that has a reputation for projects like this one. If the land is that special........Buy it and level the house. It is not practical to live in a house like this and try to restore it. Just watch Money pit

[Jim H.]

[SIZE="3"]I have to agree with E. K. [

I have a similar problem here . There is an old 1 room schoolhouse next door to my property. I'd love to have it as a shop. The owner has an historical price on it so I can't afford it.

Anyone buying it will have to go through the same as you .

If only just a good deal for the land < I'd level it ,and even put a double wide on it already constructed./SIZE]

Don't know of the wind history in Iowa, but can be protected with some pine trees.i

[JMD]

IAFARMER if you can do all the work yourself keep moma happy if you can't run like h**l there are so many problems with that set up you will not believe the cost involved. Pay nothing for house buy the land tear house down start fresh. You don't want to pay a builder to fix that mess. JMD Lic Builder State of Michigan. PS lead paint Mold are just some of the problems you might find. John

Originally Posted by Eagle Keeper

I'd have to have a lot more info. I have done restorations like this. What you see is only half of the story. A sagging structure is not good at all. Usually that means a load bearing wall has been removed or compromised. Or substandard floor joist were used in the second story. I would get the opinion of a contractor that has a reputation for projects like this one. If the land is that special........Buy it and level the house. It is not practical to live in a house like this and try to restore it. Just watch Money pit

+1

I've been building for 24 years and I'll tell you the first mistake you're making is-

You told us nothing, I'm not being crass but none of us have any information to guilde you through something that could very well end your marriage, I'm not joking. This may be more than you can handle.

I'm not discouraging you but if tears are leading the way then I suggest you run.

We need to know the value and eguity of your existing home and the price of the acreage with house you want to buy. After costs of selling and purchase how much cash will you have to work with? What income in availabe to you? If there is structure problems will a lender loan on this? Are you barrowing on land or a home?, it's different, construction loan? higher rate and time restrictions and if you fail to perform you're screwed. Are you capable of making these repairs? Do you have any knowledge of structural design, loads, pressures? Since it's obviously framed conventionaly are you capable of deciding how to redesign or work with the existing structure to not only remmedy the problems but to strengthen the structure? If you get involved with engineers, draftsman, permit fees, zoning regs, inspections, restrictions, and yes even in the country you may be restricted on septic, has the land been perked? Have you cost this out yet? Electric upgrade may cost you 10K-15K, and don't let nobody fool ya and get some quote for $3500 from some yahoo that doesn't know what he's doing, this ain't a new house and he ain't gonna have it wired in three days. Where will you live in the mean time? Under the condition you describe DO NOT attempt to live there with your family.


That's just a start and since I have no intimate knowledge of anything I'll stop here.


Scott

FWIW what you describe has been my specialty. I'm a hands on builder and I love to think my way through the difficulties before you. Working within and around the existing structure is a very satisfying challenge. I lived in FL untill last year and as you may know FL has if not the most then the second to most stringent codes and inspection program in the country and I always passed my inspections, I only state this as this is the basis of my perspective. Here in TN you can get away with murder or close to it when comes to the building practices and that may very well be true where you are, I don't know.

My advise is to think, think, and rethink before every decision.

Scott

[Cubmonkey]

I totally agree with Jim H. if you get a good enough deal on it, then i would tear the old one down and get a double wide or even one of those log cabins and put on it.

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by IAfarmer

I want to throw something out to you guys.

Been looking at an acreage with a house that was built in 1885. I currently live on a lot that us just under an acre, with lots of trees and really is nice, but doesn't have a lot of Cub room, or garden space.

The house is bowing inward at the top floor. I would need to install a new kitchen, and there is tons of patchwork to do on crumbling walls.

Structural engineer says the foundation is fine, but needs some improvement downstairs due to a foundation wall being pushed out to expand a crawl space. In adequate structuring was put in place to hold up the floor.

What might I be getting myself into? Gut says run, wise old man from home says run, but wife is in tears over this. The land is excellent, and would be great for me, the boys, and my tractor lust.

What would you do (though I know you haven't seen it).

Where's the place at? I could come down and give you an estimate on what it would take to do what you want done. I don't expect you to give me the work (although that'd be cool), but I'll help you out. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

And for the record, the house I'm building is 2000 square feet, has vaulted ceilings, a family room with reclaimed barn boards on the walls and corner jacuzzi tub. It's costing me around $40,000 total (heating and cooling included, but all labor done by me). A little money can go a long way if you put the work in.