All Forum Posts by: David S.

In addition code can be a real pain. Non-conforming stairs can't be touched unless you redo the entire stairs. You can't just add an outlet here and there where needed, most electricians will want to stick to code on that too which can mean adding outlets on exterior brick walls with conduit since they can only be so far apart. There's no rule or grandfather clause that says you're improving the situation... nope, it's code or nothing often times. This can get expensive quick. 

Wow, that's an old one. I just renovated (almost from the frame up) a 1922 farm house and I'm unlikely to ever do it again. As a simple example; That electrical work... only a large outfit with an extensive insurance policy (and thus higher prices) was willing to touch anything electrical in the house because of liability. 

Put a simple floor in and now you're removing old flooring and layers of it, who knows what it's made of, and now you may as well consider leveling any low spots and driving a thousand screws to get all the creaks out before you put the new one in. It's all 2-3x the work honestly. 

Need to swap out some door hardware? You may be swapping out an entire door instead and chances are it's odd sized. Expensive and time consuming. 

And so it goes with just about everything. HD and Lowes don't carry a lot of odd items you may need either. Insulation, if needed, is a royal pain depending on floor layout. 

Don't intend to sound negative, just reflecting on a long and painful process that never failed to amaze me! 

Good luck!

https://www.domyown.com/nyguard-plus-p-2874.html Try this otherwise. 

I've had good luck with Carl Brousseau at Rely Taxes. Down to earth, responsive, very affordable, seems excited to find ways to save you money. If you talk to him tell him the garlic farmer sent you.

Diatomacious earth should really do it! Great for fleas but also bedbugs, roaches, etc. 

Thanks folks! I have no intention of even looking at the home but for the sake of knowledge wanted to ask in case I ever see it again. 

I'm also betting it's a self-leveling compound related to foundation settling. If you look carefully there seems to be some uniformity with where it shows up, indicative of it having seeped through the sub-floor cracks. No wonder the price is good on it! That floor certainly looks like it was refinished too.

Can somebody tell me what the white paint runners are on the joists? This home is sold "As is"... I've not seen it in person but had to ask what that paint is!? Thanks! 

My good man @Dave Foster can tell you...

While getting a quote on a property, my USAA account asks "Is this property rented for periods of less than 6 months?" Yes or No

Does anybody know why this is and what impact this has on the quote? What if I started with a 12 month but then went month to month afterwards?

I'm guessing this is a reference to STR/AirBnB type setups and the answer should be "No" even if I'm renting month to month so long I'm not doing short term rentals??

@Account Closed I posted a similar thread, though for my own personal situation (half real-half theoretical) where I might want to rent for a year, would pay 6 months up front, and first, and last, and deposit, but we have only $50k annual income at this time. Almost everybody said no, they wouldn't rent to me unless I paid the full 12 months up front, even if I could prove I had significant funds in reserves. Even with 12 months up front, the common answer is no, just because it's unusual, and I get that; stick with what works is often sound advice. Now if you can't fill the place otherwise, well, at least you have a lead...