Has anyone ever bought a cinderblock home?

Question

I am currently looking into a investment property in my local market. There is a unique home to the area in the sense that it is constructed out of cinderblocks. I’m curious to see if anyone has ever owned a house like this and what kind of problems I could run into specific to cinderblock homes. Thanks in advance!

Account Closed · Answer

I buy in Arizona and cinder block is common. The only challenges I've had are when we add an electrical line to an exterior wall or have to repair plumbing in the kitchen. The contractor simply broke into the wall and repaired with matching blocks. I'd suggest sourcing the blocks first so that they match when repaired. It turned out great and you'd never know it had been repaired.

Kris L. · Answer

@Luke Boff

Cinder block is common in Florida.  Insulation isn’t all the bad either, because you put the insulation in your furred out walls on the interior of the house.  Lower insurance around here.

Kevin McGuire · Answer

@Luke Boff I have a fourplex with cinderblock foundation that was leaking. I had to excavate to have it sealed and wrapped, $40k.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

I have one. Plaster on the inside and stucco or siding on the outside. No one will notice. They stay cooler in the summer and at least a little warmer in the winter. The main issue is if you want to install a larger size window, but it's a rental so why would you? Oh, and then there's hanging pictures on the exterior walls... :-)

Linda S. · Answer

@Luke Boff,

Cinderblock houses are solid rentals, but can be a PITA to fix plumbing/electrical, and obviously not one really prefers to live with cinderblock walls, so rents will need to be cheaper to be competitive.

Ronald Allen Barney · Answer

Cinderblock can be a bit of a challenge to insulate.  If you're buying cinderblock check the heating and cooling costs.

Has anyone ever bought a cinderblock home?

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