All Forum Posts by: Sima Meh

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

As @Jonathan Greene said...your first concern should be figuring out where the mold came from. Where is the path for moisture to get into the basement? FInd it and fix it first.

The mouse thing is not that big a deal... but it wouldn't hurt to have an electrician go up into the attic and verify that the wiring is ok.

It appears to be coming from outside from the downspout terminating close to foundation and a small hole in the outer wall.

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

If those are the only issues in your inspection report, it sounds like it went very well. Any rodent problems aren't problems. It just means the previous owner did not have a pest plan in place. You can ask them to put a pest plan in place until closing or not even worry about it and do it after closing. I would say 80% of homes at inspection have some evidence of insect or rodent droppings somewhere.

The way I am reading what you are writing is that this is not a mold problem. There is potentially some subject mold in the basement. The mold, if it's not black, won't be a major issue and can be bleached or treated. What you want to know is where the water came from that caused the mold.

Overall, these two issues are absolutely nothing in the scope of things.

There are other issues but I think those two are major. I understand what you are saying, but what about the damage mice may have done to the electrical wires or wood? It won’t be possible to assess the damage as wires and wood are behind the wall. The owner’s moved to another state sometime back and I don’t think anyone was living in the house. The house otherwise looks ok.

I have a ratified contract for a property. Among other things, the inspection showed signs of pest (mice) inside the attic space. (Tunnel holes in insulation and droppings). Also, the insulation in attic was noted as inadequate at the time of inspection. I guess the mice have chewed the insulation.

Additionally, the drywall at basement detected moisture. The repair work will likely involve the removal of drywall in order to
perform repairs. The extent of damage cannot be realized until the drywall is removed. The inspection also pointed out that the fungi growth should be checked once drywall is removed.

I am concerned about mice infestation and likely damage to electrical wires and wood because of that. There is no way to detect these damages unless something major comes up later. I am also concerned about possible mold in the basement.

What should I do? Ask the seller for repairs or walk away. Are these major problems?

Quote from @Russell Brazil:

@Sima Meh welcome to BP.

The areas you mentioned right off the bat are the ones I was likely going to suggest, particuarly Riggs Park. Michigan Park and Manor Park might be above the range you are looking at. Riggs Park has had steady appreciation for over a decade now and should continue into the next decade. Nice solid neighborhood, post World War 2 construction there means less problems than you might get further west in say Petworth with the older housing stock there.

 Thanks Russell for your response! What do you think about Brentwood, Langdon and surrounding areas and River Terrace (any other I have missed worth considering)? The inventory appears to be very low in Riggs Park

I am a first time home buyer and interested in a SFH. I have a budget of $500-575K. I have a kid who goes to school in NE (Brookland).

1. Looking at the rising housing and mortgage prices, do you think this is the right time for me to buy or should I wait for sometime?

2. Which areas would you suggest for me in NE and SE which are within my budget, considered decent to live in as a single parent and not too far from my kid's school? Some of the areas I have shortlisted in NE are Manor Park, Michigan Park and Riggs Park. Please feel free to add locations in NE and SE DC.