looking at a building tomorrow

[Delias]

Looking at a building I may be interested in purchasing tomorrow. It is an older apartment above storefronts type of building in the downtown area of a small rural town. Other than asbestos, lead paint, leaks, shoddy plumbing, mold, shoddy electrical, or other physical damage to the place, does anyone have any suggestions of things to watch out for?

This is the first viewing of it, so I am not going to hire an inspector just yet. This is just the initial walk-through, so if anyone can think of any major red flags I've missed, I'd appreciate hearing what to watch out for.

Thanks.

[Kuyuk]

are you purchasing the stores below?

I cant see buying only a top part of a building?

[Delias]

are you purchasing the stores below?

I cant see buying only a top part of a building?

It's the whole building.

[Androidpk]

Are you going to accidentally the whole thing?

[msconstrew]

Depending on the age, in addition to an inspector you should also consider getting an engineer. Vermin/bats can be a concern if the building has been vacant for a while. Termites are maybe less of a concern given the location, but are still something to consider. I know you said physical damage, but I would specifically look at the roof, the age of the windows, the age of the gutters, and look at the concrete/sidewalk around the building, which will likely be your responsibility to maintain/repair.

[Delias]

Depending on the age, in addition to an inspector you should also consider getting an engineer. Vermin/bats can be a concern if the building has been vacant for a while. Termites are maybe less of a concern given the location, but are still something to consider. I know you said physical damage, but I would specifically look at the roof, the age of the windows, the age of the gutters, and look at the concrete/sidewalk around the building, which will likely be your responsibility to maintain/repair.

It hasn't been vacant, so hopefully any vermin would have been attended to, but I'm not going to take it for granted. My intent would be to use both of the apartments as living space for my family (it is a 4 bedroom above and then a 1 bedroom behind the storefronts), using the 1 bedroom as a mother-in-law sort of apartment. I already do PC repair and such on the side, and plan to use one of the store fronts to keep some shop hours open (depending on the cost of licensing in the rural town it's in) and possibly rent out the other one or if possible convert the 1 bedroom apt. on the lower floor to a larger apartment. I imagine I'd have to check with the town regarding the buildings zoning to see if that was feasible. In any event, there are a ton of possibilities, all for a cost significantly less than my monthly rent.

It's also close enough to NIU that I could conceivably rent the apartments again if I ended up moving for work or whatever.

I'm really excited. So excited that it is almost a countdown to disappointment.

[Kitsun]

Anything living in the walls, ancient burial grounds, signs of previous tenants dying painful/bloody deaths, demonic summoning circles, meth labs, flood damage in any lower regions of the premises, bullet holes, sulfur, faerie circles, hex bags, sudden drops in temperature, EKG readings, rodent droppings...

[Kuyuk]

Making sure all items are "up to current code"; if you plan on doing any remodeling - if you open shit up there could be a lot of stuff not up to par and cost a ton more - it's happening to my work currently. yay.

[msconstrew]

Making sure all items are "up to current code"; if you plan on doing any remodeling - if you open shit up there could be a lot of stuff not up to par and cost a ton more - it's happening to my work currently. yay.

Also, if you do end up having a contractor do work, for the love of God please make sure they are properly insured and get recommendations before retention. The typical CGL policy does not cover a contractor's bad work; it covers property damage arising out of the bad work.

[Delias]

Also, if you do end up having a contractor do work, for the love of God please make sure they are properly insured and get recommendations before retention. The typical CGL policy does not cover a contractor's bad work; it covers property damage arising out of the bad work.

I have a lot of tradesmen in my family, and I've got some friends that are contractors. I'm confident I can force them to work for me through a combination of money and beatings.

[msconstrew]

You asked for thoughts. Just giving you mine. Whether you use family, friends, enemies, or magical beings - make sure they have insurance.

[Latrinsorm]

Anything living in the walls, ancient burial grounds, signs of previous tenants dying painful/bloody deaths, demonic summoning circles, meth labs, flood damage in any lower regions of the premises, bullet holes, sulfur, faerie circles, hex bags, sudden drops in temperature, EKG readings, rodent droppings...A devil-proofed panic room is also a must. You know what to be safe just salt and burn the whole lot.

Good luck Mr. Landlord!

[Warriorbird]

Anything living in the walls, ancient burial grounds, signs of previous tenants dying painful/bloody deaths, demonic summoning circles, meth labs, flood damage in any lower regions of the premises, bullet holes, sulfur, faerie circles, hex bags, sudden drops in temperature, EKG readings, rodent droppings...

You forgot the people under the stairs.

[WRoss]

You should open up a golf store.

[Delias]

You should open up a golf store.

Good point. How much should I sell each golf for?

[Warriorbird]

Good point. How much should I sell each golf for?

Golfers digging up your garden can be a real problem.

[Ardwen]

Thats why ya bring in Bill Murray to inspect the building before ya buy it

[Androidpk]

Delias, will you be taking fat from your body and turning it into soap in this building of yours? I hear soap has a lot of good uses.

[Delias]

Delias, will you be taking fat from your body and turning it into soap in this building of yours? I hear soap has a lot of good uses.

You know fat men never touch soap.

[msconstrew]

Delias, will you be taking fat from your body and turning it into soap in this building of yours? I hear soap has a lot of good uses.

Saponification! Yay!

[Androidpk]

http://i49.tinypic.com/ztzy2s.jpg

[msconstrew]

More like ...

4179

[Archigeek]

Making sure all items are "up to current code"; if you plan on doing any remodeling - if you open shit up there could be a lot of stuff not up to par and cost a ton more - it's happening to my work currently. yay.

It's not likely that it is up to code. And it doesn't necessarily have to be brought up to current code. That depends on the quantity/type/location of the work you're planning to do. It's definitely a concern, but generally speaking, unless you start making changes, you don't have to upgrade your building. When you do make changes, most likely you'll have to upgrade the areas you are changing, and may have to change some other areas as well. At the end of the day it's up to the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction).

Also, if it's on the national register of historic places, that changes a few things. It can make some things more difficult to do, but can also lead to financing sources that wouldn't be otherwise available to you.

[Sean]

It's not likely that it is up to code. And it doesn't necessarily have to be brought up to current code. That depends on the quantity/type/location of the work you're planning to do. It's definitely a concern, but generally speaking, unless you start making changes, you don't have to upgrade your building. When you do make changes, most likely you'll have to upgrade the areas you are changing, and may have to change some other areas as well. At the end of the day it's up to the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction).

Also, if it's no the national register of historic places, that changes a few things. It can make some things more difficult to do, but can also lead to financing sources that wouldn't be otherwise available to you.

This although that will mostly just apply to making bathrooms ADA adaptable / compliant.

You should also probably try and get a sense of how old the roof is and how much time is left on any warranty.

[Delias]

Well, the bones of the building are still solid, but if I had to guess I would say I'd have to put at least 20 if not 30 into it to fix up the neglect and remodel it the way I want it. Think I'm going to have to pass, since I assume they won't be lowering their asking price by 30 grand.

[BriarFox]

Well, the bones of the building are still solid, but if I had to guess I would say I'd have to put at least 20 if not 30 into it to fix up the neglect and remodel it the way I want it. Think I'm going to have to pass, since I assume they won't be lowering their asking price by 30 grand.

Don't assume. Just in case, ask. Tell them specifically what issues you'd upgrade and what it'd cost, then make them an offer. If they say, no, then no skin off your teeth. If they say yes, well, you've got a building.

[Delias]

Don't assume. Just in case, ask. Tell them specifically what issues you'd upgrade and what it'd cost, then make them an offer. If they say, no, then no skin off your teeth. If they say yes, well, you've got a building.

Good idea. Thanks.