Negotiating my first house...

[Mightyfordranger]

Welp my back is doing better. Still kinda nervous about over doing it.
Anyway I found an empty house that needs lots of work and I found the owner under public records. She is willing to sell it but it needs a new septic and like everything. So we'll see!

 

[MikeG]

Best 'o luck.....

 

[ericbphoto]

Be sure to get a thorough inspection done so you know most of what you're getting into. Good luck with it.

 

[sgtsandman]

I would get a quote on how much replacing a septic is going to cost. We are required to get a whole lot more than a septic here. Either a sand mound or something else that I can't remember right now. Chances are, you might be looking at the same thing. They probably won't just let you remove and replace whatever you have now.

 

[Dirtman]

If you can, pay in nickles. You'll save a fortune in stupid bank fees...

 

[adsm08]

I would get a quote on how much replacing a septic is going to cost. We are required to get a whole lot more than a septic here. Either a sand mound or something else that I can't remember right now. Chances are, you might be looking at the same thing. They probably won't just let you remove and replace whatever you have now.

Probably small flow treatment. That's what my parents have because their soil won't support a sand mound.

 

[Blmpkn]

Good luck. I know the market in maine is effed right now. Damn dirty out of staters all want to move out of the city and up here.. and are all offering 30-40-80k over asking price so they can ensure getting away from a big population and all its 'ronis

 

[Roert42]

I have a Cesspool, not even a septic system. I do not have anywhere to put a Sand Mound without completely teraforming my property, too many rocks, too close to the house property line, and too close to the well.

Needless to say, it has been a wonderful experience.

Figure out what needs to be done before you commit, otherwise you may be in for more trouble then you bargain for.

 

[RonD]

Foundations and roofs are the most expensive repairs
septic/sewer and under ground water lines are probably next

Title insurance is worth the minimal cost

 

[Mightyfordranger]

Well it needs everything. I quoted the septic at 13k that's without permits I'll have another 1200 in those. Needs roofs on both house and garage. Needs re-sided. And I think the foundation is ok. But I'll need a better look. I grew up in the area and never remember seeing anyone live in it. Over 10+ years

 

[RonD]

$13,000 for septic system.................how big is the house?
Or how bad is the drainage

 

[19Walt93]

My septic system was $8000- in 1988. Granite drains poorly.
I bought my first house- actually the shell of a house in 1976 for $7450, no wiring, no plumbing, no well, no partitions or insulation, and an outhouse. We camped for 2 months before I had running water in the building and lived the first winter with a propane fired toilet. Be patient and don't give up, it will be worth it. When I sold it in 1987 after doing about everything myself we had a $40,000 profit to use toward this house.

 

[Shran]

How much work it really "needs" depends on how you're paying for it... do you have enough in savings to just do a cash deal? I would almost imagine that this house will be a no-go if you're looking to get a loan. But if it's super cheap, and you can pay cash for it, fix the septic problem and slowly fix it up... do it! Worst case at that point, you live in it for a few years, tear it down and build something new.

The real estate market out here is absolutely as stupid as I've ever seen. Dumps that would have sat unsold for years are now going for 200k+ in less than a day. One down the street from me is pending sale right now for 230k and it needs a full gut and remodel - there is graffiti all over the walls in the basement, no appliances, upstairs is disgusting. There is another one that caught on fire and is advertised as "unlivable" listed for 90k...and it's a frickin double wide!!!!!!!!!!! I paid 113k for my place five years ago and I bet I could double my money right now. It's crazy. I hope it stops soon, my property taxes went up $400 this year alone.

 

[Dirtman]

My sisters house had septic and the rest of the neighborhood was on sewage. It was up to the owners to actually connect to the sewage system. She paid for the system to be connected and is now kicking herself because the sewage bill is insane...

Anytime you use water, even though they are still on well water, it costs them sewage money because that's how the meter works. Even if they water their lawn, wash their car, that water is counted as sewage use.

But thats PA, its so much cheaper to live their VS NJ but in PA you pay for EVERYTHING instead of getting those services from the insane taxes we pay.

 

[adsm08]

My sisters house had septic and the rest of the neighborhood was on sewage. It was up to the owners to actually connect to the sewage system. She paid for the system to be connected and is now kicking herself because the sewage bill is insane...

Your sister's house is also older than the rest of her development, and the public sewer system in that part of town.

Honestly, even though the bills are high, they are nothing compared to where I use to live, and the whole town is built on a clay field, so in the long run connecting was the smart move.