All Forum Posts by: Mason Wade Morris

Hi everyone,

Since a lot of posts I read are left open ended and I often wonder what the end result is, I wanted to close out this post with the results.

I requested that they add windows to the bedrooms in accordance with the code R310 (along with other things that came out in the inspection). They assured me that since it has two doors and a closet it is indeed a bedroom.  They didn't offer to pay for a 3rd of the things that needed to be fixed prior to renting not including the windows so I had to walk away.  Windows or not, they would not make any adjustments for foundation, roof repairs, and would only treat for termites on one unit.

@Toby M. I have a book that suggests the minimum closet should be no less than 36" of width per occupant and no less than 24" deep.  The book quotes a lot of the IRC, but just mentions the recommended closet dimension, no code attached to those dimensions.

@Javier D. Thanks for the recommendation, you are correct that the duplex is/was originally a 2 bedroom - 2 bathroom on each side.  However, I believe when originally built there was a small courtyard (roughly 10'x10') with a sliding glass door leading from the bedroom to the outside courtyard.  My guess is that since it led to outside it met code when it was built, but probably still doesn't qualify for code now.  At some point an owner decided to close it in, I presume to increase square footage, and potentially reduce roof leaks in this area.

The only reason I say this is because the seller has another duplex that is the same type of build down the street (I was hoping to purchase as well). See the photo below to see what I am talking about (each bedroom outlined in orange).

@Laura Williams I agree it may not be too terrible much to put in a window, but I am a little worried since that is where the electrical box and meter are located along with the where the gas comes into the property.  Along with I would need to build the closet somewhere else.

@Corby GoadeI agree and that is why I wanted to ask before I am out of the contingency period. However, this is not a basement bedroom just a normal bedroom on the side-by-side duplex where the master bedrooms are against the adjoining wall of the duplex with a closet and bathroom on the only outside wall (which is where are window could go if I removed one).

@Scott Schaar Thanks for the suggestions, I've been looking at the code and looks like they just refer to the standard International codes.

@Account Closed I agree Derek that is a good idea, I will ask if they would fix by adding the window or lower the price.  I presume they will walk away and get a buyer who doesn't care, but doesn't hurt to ask.

Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions, I included some photos of the bedroom to help show what I am talking about.

Thanks @Laura Williams that is what I figured.  It made sense as a 2 bedroom and was great as a 3 bedroom, but just simply would not make money as a 1 bedroom.  While I think it might be possible to add a window, it would make the room L-shaped and cost more than I think it would be worth not making it a good deal.

While you could be use that room as a bedroom (the rented side does), I was more worried about the liability or getting sued, insurability, and if someone decided later that it would need to be changed that would be a large expense.  Otherwords more worried about the safety side of things.  Not sure how they got away with this for so long and the country records show 2 bedrooms.

Hi everyone just hoping to get some help/suggestions on a duplex I have under contract with a couple more days left in my inspection contingency period.  Property is a built in 1978 2 bed/2bath on each side with enough room to easily add a third bedroom.

I was really excited about getting my first property/duplex under contract and went through inspections and was moving forward to closing.

After working through what it would need to add the third bedroom it dawned on me that the main bedroom(and 3rd bedroom if added) in each side does not have any windows (no escape route).  However, each of them have a set of french doors leading into the bedroom on one wall with a normal door on another wall.  The only way I could see to add a window would be to remove the closet and put it on the back wall of the closet.  This would require me to rebuild the closet on another wall.  Not only would I have to move the closet, in order to add the window I would need to cut through outer brick wall, which is also right next to where the electric meter, and gas lines are.

So right now I do not think that the duplex is up to code (right?).  The inspection reported that there was not a firewall between the units in the attic either, but figured that would be grandfathered in with the old code.  Unfortunately, I am wondering if I need to walk away and chalk this one up as a learning experience and lose out on inspection, appraisal, and title costs that will need paid for.

Sorry for such a long post, but trying to provide all of the info.  Any suggestions or experience in this situation?

Hi @Ron Harris, great list of things to look for and ask, thank you for the advice and meeting with me. It was pleasure talking real estate and what Angelena and you have to offer from the brokerage.

Hi @Jimmy Martz and @Dylan B. thank you very much for the help and recommendation, I will give them call.

Hi Zach, To be honest my experience in RE at this point is limited to the OK RE Course, research I’ve done in investing for a couple years, and purchase of my personal residence. Like I mentioned before I had started to look at investments and made some offers, but after that didn’t pan out I decided to get my license and in the mean time we used our capital to payoff my and wife’s student loan debt. I was hoping to have more experience at this point, but have to start somewhere. Thanks, Mason

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since I have posted, but I just passed the Oklahoma Real Estate Exam yesterday and now I'm looking for an investor friendly brokerage in the OKC area to hang my license. Several months back I started looking and making offers on properties, but kept losing agents and also noticed that in order to increase the likelihood of getting a good deal I needed to make offers the same day they hit the market. Same day viewings/offers just wasn't happening so I decided to get my license.

Does anyone have any recommendations of a good brokerage? My goals with the license is mostly to invest in buy and hold, and every once in a while might help a friend find a house.  I already work full time (with travel out of state from time to time) and have no plans on becoming a full time agent, but have no problems helping part time.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mason Morris

Hi @Deborah Burian and @Tyler Weinrich thank you for the welcomes!