Investor · Lakewood, OH · Member since 2015 · 8 posts · 2 votes
Hello - first post here.
A little background - I just purchased my first property in the Cleveland area, a duplex, and am renting one unit out and living in the other. I will (most likely in ~2 yrs) be relocated with my company, and will then have to decide whether to keep the property and rent both units from wherever I am relocated to (likely not very close), or sell the property. One of the issues with the property currently is a massive tree which has cracked the driveway next to it. My thought is that I could have the tree removed and then pave over where the tree was so there is driveway access to the 3rd car area of garage (see pic) - this could allow both units to have garage access through separate doors. My question is will I get a return on that investment (potentially $10k or so for the whole removal/new driveway) if I decide to sell the property (in a few years when relocated for work), or keep and rent both units (could add garage access into the leases for more $). Or should I just be looking to repair the current driveway just to the 2 car area, and leave the tree (was told I could trim roots so it stops growing and lifting the concrete on that side)?
Am I thinking about this the right way? Also does my pricing estimate sound about right for tree + driveway? It is a massive tree - about 60' tall probably, and the driveway extends maybe another 12 - 15' from where I'm taking the picture. Thanks for any help and suggestions!
I just removed a tree like this... $3000 - just the tree removal! So yeh it's gonna cost you - and there is no measurable return on your money... but I'd do it. As a rental you open up your driveway. If you choose to sell it - it will look so much nicer and you could potentially lose a sale from someone who says - I'd buy that house if it were not for that huge tree in the driveway!
I just removed a tree like this... $3000 - just the tree removal! So yeh it's gonna cost you - and there is no measurable return on your money... but I'd do it. As a rental you open up your driveway. If you choose to sell it - it will look so much nicer and you could potentially lose a sale from someone who says - I'd buy that house if it were not for that huge tree in the driveway!
I can't speak of the pricing in your area but where I live in Fresno, Ca - it is on average $1000 - $1500 for tree removal including the stump. Not sure about the driveway .. I guess that it would depend on how large it is..if it is all concrete and a normal size one car driveway then 10K may be a little on the high side considering.. again it's going to vary by area of course. As far the payoff.. we had three trees removed for basically the same reasons .. and add roof problems from previous years of neglect by previous owners... we kept the wood from the tree and sold as much as we could - but that's another story. After shopping around the price of getting it trimmed vs cutting it down - trimming was about 1/2 the price of cutting it down and we felt like we would end up having to get it trimmed every few years since it was growing so massively - in the end, we felt it was in our best interest to remove them completely and save on future expenses. It also opened up some space that will eventually become extra parking when we add another unit. In terms of resale value in a few years - if the trees are too overgrown and causing foundation problems then it could negatively affect your resale value - in that picture above - it looks very close to the house and what is happening to your driveway could start happening to your foundation... if this is rental unit then it could mean big headaches for your tenants and even bigger headaches for you. Just something to think about.
I don't know the value of these houses and the rent they command but that is going to be a really big project. Not only does the tree have to come down and the stump ground - and you have a massive grind there - but the roots under the drive way will rot and eventually collapse where the driveway is, so to do that right you really need to dig up the roots at least at the driveway. I hope you got consideration in the purchase price for that problem! If you did, then you're out nothing if you got remediation money on the front end in the sales price. If not, I think you have to weigh return vs. cost.
Sometimes in real estate you have to leave problem remediation to the next guy, and I'm not talking about hiding problems or covering things up. It's like fixing up a used car. If you sell used cars, paying for a complete body & paint job on a $3000 car is going to bankrupt you in short order, whereas the guy who wants to have a nice car can put that into it and still be ahead vs. buying a new vehicle. Someone who bought the house to live in could very well get some consideration and still have a great deal. Someone who bought the house as a business venture (you) might lose your shirt to go down that road.
$10K for tree removal and rebuild driveway sounds fair. I try not to think about cost too much because then I get distracted from creating more income...
Its a difficult call to make with respect to what incremetal impact it will have on the value of the house. That said, generally, if i were to buy a house, I certainly will not buy that..with that massive tree on the drive. Not knowing how far the roots have gone to affecting the structure, it will be a gamble.
Even as a renter, I wil hesitate before renting this unless I do not have other options...
However, 10k is a lot of money; but since you own this property, it will be worthwhile investment down the line.
I will suggest you search out more quotes to see if you can get a better bargain, but I beleive the tree needs to be removed. If anything, it will improve visibility and beauty of the property.
Wow, the photo says it all... I am with Jay and some others: get it fixed right (asap) before it compromises the value of the house with foundation issues and/or even falling limbs... It is far too large a tree, far too close to the house, causing way too much damage already.
If you lack funds to fix it, I would think of an exit strategy and leaving it "as is" makes it pretty darn fully disclosed (you may have noticed it when you purchased)... Maybe someone who has a tree and concrete company (oddly a few in my small area do both) will be the ideal buyer and see an easy solution. Or the removal and new driveway could be paid out at closing if you bought right and have equity.... Best of luck...
First of all, i would get other bids, just to see if you can get a better price. but one question, would you pay $10,000 now or possibly 100,000 plus when your tenant trips and falls on that driveway? not having that taken care of is neglect on your part, especially since you live there, hard to prove you didn't know anything about it. cut it down and fix that driveway. it will benefit you in different ways.
A tree that tall will have to be cut in sections progressively that get lowered to the ground once cut. So height is a factor since it will determine the amount of effort in making those multiple cuts.
In some areas, municipal regulations might require approval from a park commission of other regulatory body in order to take down a mature tree.
The added paving for access to the other garage bay is a good idea. This might be limited in some municipalities that require a property to remain below some maximum percentage of the parcel as impervious to water. So check into that as well.
This kind of job doesn't fall into the "return on your investment" category. It is more of maintenance/capEx. So yes, you have to take care of it and no, you will not realize the costs back when you go to sell.
If you don't do it now, you are asking for trouble down the road. It will defineitley be a costly venture, but you need to remove that tree asap. I'm sure you already have to cut the roots out the plumbing. If not, I can almost guarantee you will be treating this problem very soon.
Got a fireplace-- cut it up and it will be ready to burn next year.
I would remove it and I really don't like to cut trees. Remove it now so you can benefit. Having recently had a tree fall on a tenants car I know you don't want it to need attention at that point or after you are gone. You don't need to do it all this year but cutting it down and then laying a new drive in the spring/summer would be a good start.
A little background - I just purchased my first property in the Cleveland area, a duplex, and am renting one unit out and living in the other. I will (most likely in ~2 yrs) be relocated with my company, and will then have to decide whether to keep the property and rent both units from wherever I am relocated to (likely not very close), or sell the property. One of the issues with the property currently is a massive tree which has cracked the driveway next to it. My thought is that I could have the tree removed and then pave over where the tree was so there is driveway access to the 3rd car area of garage (see pic) - this could allow both units to have garage access through separate doors. My question is will I get a return on that investment (potentially $10k or so for the whole removal/new driveway) if I decide to sell the property (in a few years when relocated for work), or keep and rent both units (could add garage access into the leases for more $). Or should I just be looking to repair the current driveway just to the 2 car area, and leave the tree (was told I could trim roots so it stops growing and lifting the concrete on that side)?
Am I thinking about this the right way? Also does my pricing estimate sound about right for tree + driveway? It is a massive tree - about 60' tall probably, and the driveway extends maybe another 12 - 15' from where I'm taking the picture. Thanks for any help and suggestions!
HI Craig!
Congrats on your purchase, not so much on your tree. I can appreciate you considering the finical implications associated with this tree. I do not think this is a cost you will be able to measure in regard to ROI, it is a catch 22 - it is a maintenance CapEx that just needs to be done.
(1) Huge Liability Implication
If you plan on having people loving in this home, think about the responsibility of the landlord to insure they have a safe space.
(2) Huge Eye Soar
This is a deal breaker for quality tenants, perhaps not all tenants but if you are seeking quality tenants, you should expect to provide a quality product, this would include removing tress that are hazards and prevent access to possible covered parking. It is Cleveland after all and winter time, it is nice to have covered parking.
I am certain this would be a potential deal breaker/large negotiation position for any future buyers as someone will need to handle this issue.
It needs to be completed, I would be curious to better understand the condition of the 3rd garage bay along with the garage pad. Based on the assumptions of the tree size and current surrounding damage, I think you are headed in the right direction for cost.
You will recoup the cost by presenting a nice property, capturing quality tenants that make the house their home and stay for a while.
Some unknowns I have to mention would be, not clear how much you bought the home for, how much value you need to add, area/address ...... many unknowns also ... perhaps some areas will command a garage space more than others etc...
It will only continue to get worst --- salvage what you can I suppose ---- the surrounding concrete may not be able to be saved if it is cracking, most concrete guys and driveway contractors will not tie into broken cement just FYI -----
I wouldn't touch that property, renting or purchasing, with that major problem. I imagine you will have a heck of a time trying to sell it until that is fixed.
I am with the rest of the posters on this one. Remove the tree it's only going to cause more problems.
I see you are in Lakewood. Is the property in Lakewood? I assume you did not register it as a rental as you are currently living there but once you move out and register it as a rental the city will cite you for the drive and force you to fix it. May as well fix it now and enjoy your nice driveway and covered parking.
I would remove the tree. I had a cluster of 6 or 7 pine trees and oak trees removed from my front yard a couple years ago. Cost me $1900 here in Georgia. One company quoted me $2750. It gave me instant curb appeal. I don't have ugly pine straw and pine cones all over my driveway, yard, and in my gutters. I used to have a problem with squirrels chewing on my house. Now that the trees are gone, no more squirrels. We used to have problems with spider webs also. It was like a haunted house around here. They would build spider webs from the trees to our cars. Cutting those trees was the best move I made. I also had the company leave me some of the oak tree sections. I've got enough firewood for 3 winters. The only issue I have left to fix now is my driveway. The tree roots ruined the driveway. I hope to get it replaced soon.
Holy crap, that would have been the first of work after I bought it. That tree has to go. It's going to be expensive, because that stump has got to go too, and that's not something a bobcat can get out.
@Account Closed I have a cluster of pine trees in the front yard of a flip I'm working on. Can you refer me to the company that removed them for $1900? Thanks! PM me.
