Looking at acquiring a duplex in my area. Very strong property, but the seller is adamant that this porch is not an issue and that it somehow passed inspection. I checked and didn't see the previous year's rental inspection pass, it's still "under review." A demo permit was pulled but never followed through on.
Looks like the porch and bottom office room are one unit and new addition to this ~1900s house. Remainder of the property was inspected and sound. The porch is the only issue, it's a very strong contender but not sure if I can swallow this.
Estimates on price? I emailed some contractors as well as the city's inspector to see if it's truly under code. If it passes city code and my bank's appraisal, could just bite the bullet and go for it. What I know:
- Water damage, supposedly from shingles being used on a roof that is not sloped enough (caused it to rot and accelerate damage)
- Ceiling rotted enough to where bats got in and made a home inside the upstairs crawlspace
- Two exits are required- this is one of the egress for the top unit and the tenant does not seem to be using it (good for them- it's unsafe)
I am thinking about a full rebuild, possible demo and replace w/ fire exit or a very basic landing + staircase. But doing so would require the bottom unit to be demo'd too, no? Shoot. How the hell did they not think this through? I'd really hate to lose out on a solid property over this one thing. But it's impossible to overlook given that it's actively separating from the home lol
Oh also, the seller is kinda being mean. Didn't like that I brought an inspector, said the house "was not for me." Refused my demands to fix it before I put an offer in (ghosted my realtor), and claims the building passed last year's rental inspection and they said it's safe (really?)
But there may be a happy ending. Given the seller's attitude to me and my beloved Realtor, I took it upon myself to contact the city about the failed inspection items not being corrected and the potential hazard. It's been on the market for over a year, and I think I see why. Perhaps the city will do nothing, but I am pretty much stuck. At least the other two properties which were near collapse or collapsing, the sellers were okay with inspection/engineer coming out. This one was literally fine.
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/1wex8ux/slumlord_galore/
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