My disaster in home repairs

debodun said:
If you're referring to the house next door, I can't answer that - it's up to the landlord to have his property serviced. He has a guy come every few weeks to mow the lawn. Maybe he isn't aware there is a problem with his downspout - they's why it's overflowing.
Click to expand...
No! I’m referring to your house. You have downspouts for your deck porch but there are no downspouts for your upstairs gutters. You mentioned this when I asked you about it. You said the last contractor you had mentioned it but said your house was too high and they didn’t have the equipment plus that you needed some trees cut so it never got done.

Your trees are trimmed down now. You had them done last year.

I don’t particularly care about your neighbours house🤓
 

Keesha said:
You could still probably get good money for it. There are plenty of contractors and business people willing to take on a project like this.
My main concern is that if you are having these types of problems now then they are only going to get worse over time.

You might consider speaking to a realtor to see what they have to say. They will let you know what it’s worth now and might even know contractors that can do the work. They’d have a better idea of what to do since they can actually SEE the house.

You’ve got a car so you can get out and look around. Some places are so nice there are waiting lists to get in.
No need to make any hasty decisions as long as you’re on top of it and understand what you’re dealing with which I believe you ‘now’ know.

Soon you could have plenty of people helping you.
Click to expand...

I see ads on TV all the time about these businesses that buy houses for cash. They never ay they give you a fair market value, though. I think they take advantage of people desperate to sell to settle an estate or other reasons. I did investigate senior housing a few years ago - the nice places were expensive and had too may rules. The cheapest I looked at was $1450 a month, but they were ticky-tacky rooms with no amenities and were much like the apartment photos I posted earlier. Before I sell, I have to have someplace to go.
 
Keesha said:
No! I’m referring to your house. You have downspouts for your deck porch but there are no downspouts for your upstairs gutters. You mentioned this when I asked you about it. You said the last contractor you had mentioned it but said your house was too high and they didn’t have the equipment plus that you needed some trees cut so it never got done.
Click to expand...
There are no gutters OR downspouts on the second story of my house. The trees have nothing to do with the gutter contractor saying the house was too high. He never mentioned the trees - that was the electrician that wanted the yew bush cut back.
 

Absolutely don’t get rushed to sell too quickly but don’t hang onto it forever or you will lose out in the end. If however you keep at this at the rate you’re going, I think you can get a fair exchange for your house AND find an awesome place to stay whether that’s a condominium you purchase or a place you rent. You’ve got plenty of time. Just don’t get so stubborn that you pass up a good offer to sell
 
debodun said:
There are no gutters OR downspouts on the second story of my house. The trees have nothing to do with the gutter contractor saying the house was too high. He never mentioned the trees - that was the electrician that wanted the yew bush cut back.
Click to expand...
Ok my mistake. So how does the rain run off your top floor?
 
I guess it just slides down the roof to the eaves and drops off, but not like the Niagara falls next door. My roof is sectioned and pitched. Next door has a flat roof and slightly sloped toward my house so all the rain that falls on it is channeled into the same place.

I did look into that umbrella service, but they seem very limited as to what they can do - no roofing or masonry. They employ seniors, who of course, have limited physical abilities.

http://www.theumbrella.org/how-it-works.html
 
Last edited:
The neighbor on the other side is a very responsible homeowner. Each year he has a "project" done to the house. A few years ago he had a new porch put on, then he got a few new windows put in and last year he had his trim painted. He also plants lovely flower gardens around the house foundation. My foundation is the pokeweed jungle of the county. Nothing going on over there this year I can see. He's been out of work for awhile because of the pandemic, so he probably doesn't have as much to invest this year.
 
debodun said:
The neighbor on the other side is a very responsible homeowner. Each year he has a "project" done to the house. A few years ago he had a new porch put on, then he got a few new windows put in and last year he had his trim painted. He also plants lovely flower gardens around the house foundation. My foundation is the pokeweed jungle of the county. Nothing going on over there this year I can see. He's been out of work for awhile because of the pandemic, so he probably doesn't have as much to invest this year.
Click to expand...
Could you not use the contractors your neighbour uses Deb ?
 
debodun said:
I see ads on TV all the time about these businesses that buy houses for cash. They never ay they give you a fair market value, though. I think they take advantage of people desperate to sell to settle an estate or other reasons. I did investigate senior housing a few years ago - the nice places were expensive and had too may rules. The cheapest I looked at was $1450 a month, but they were ticky-tacky rooms with no amenities and were much like the apartment photos I posted earlier. Before I sell, I have to have someplace to go.
Click to expand...
Reading all these makes me happy I married a woman that has no fear of relocating. $1450.00 a month to rent ticky-tacky rooms with no amenities unbelievable.

Google this to see what about $100.00 a month less than that apartment would get you.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2136-Ellsworth-St_Johnstown_PA_15905_M37704-95530

And yes I know that moving from where you live is out of the question. I'm just amazed at what is possible if a person could get if they had an adventurous spirit.
 
debodun said:
The neighbor on the other side is a very responsible homeowner. Each year he has a "project" done to the house. A few years ago he had a new porch put on, then he got a few new windows put in and last year he had his trim painted. He also plants lovely flower gardens around the house foundation. My foundation is the pokeweed jungle of the county. Nothing going on over there this year I can see. He's been out of work for awhile because of the pandemic, so he probably doesn't have as much to invest this year.
Click to expand...
Or maybe he’s just being extra cautious about people coming to his house due to this pandemic but what a great neighbour to get a reference from. What a perfect starting point to say why you’re visiting. You really admire how nicely kept his place is so are hoping you could get the contact info from him. He may know more qualified people than you and might be happy to help out. Most people like helping others out if it’s not too much
 
debodun said:
I knew when I pulled that vine down, I'd find trouble. I went out this morning and cut back where it had started to grow again. That THING sends runners underground all over. It is coming up on the other side of the house and I know that it had to have sent runners under the house to do that. Probably the only thing holding the porch on the house! It was even sending growth up into the attic. I pulled on one part and got a 10 ft root in my hand like a long spindly cord. Never get wisteria or Boston ivy!

View attachment 111209
Click to expand...
My rule of thumb is stay away from ALL crawlers and creepers.
 
Some pics of the cellar floor along the south wall. I looked into getting this fixed many years ago and the estimates were between $9000 and $14,000 and no one would warranty their work. One even said his work was only guaranteed until after the first rain, then I was on my own. His idea of fixing cellar dampness was to just spray some compound on the walls.

cellar1.jpgcellar2.jpgcellar3.jpg
 
Last edited:
What's the attraction to staying in that house, Deb? It's literally crumbling around you and the maintenance/repairs are likely to be several tens of thousands of dollars, perhaps more.

Why not call a realtor and find out what the place is worth? While you're at it, ask about rentals and houses within a 25 mile radius. Zillow is a fine starting point, but realtors are the true experts.

Don't you think it's time to stop speculating and get some real information?
 
Repair roof under structure & replace roof, upgrade electrical, inspect & replace plumbing as needed, repair all brick that is falling out, repair 30 window casements & replace those 30 windows, leak proof and repair walls in basement, repair ceilings that have fallen. Many many thousands in repair & replace costs.

Sentimental value to live in the inherited house --- priceless
 
Knight said:
Repair roof under structure & replace roof, upgrade electrical, inspect & replace plumbing as needed, repair all brick that is falling out, repair 30 window casements & replace those 30 windows, leak proof and repair walls in basement, repair ceilings that have fallen. Many many thousands in repair & replace costs.

Sentimental value to live in the inherited house --- priceless
Click to expand...


I am overwhelmed. I am not sure what is the most important thing to do first. I run from one repair to the other trying to find a guy to work on it.
 
debodun said:
I am overwhelmed. I am not sure what is the most important thing to do first. I run from one repair to the other trying to find a guy to work on it.
Click to expand...
I still think your best bet would be to approach your local stores such as Home Depot, etc, and ask for a list of contractors who frequent those stores. That, or put an ad in the paper.
 
Man, I hate to be the one to say it, but, the more pictures I see of your house, the more $$$$ I see going down an endless drain. :( Looking at the basement, the 9 to 14 estimate is cheap. and I know why there'd be no guarantee. To fix that right, one needs to go outside the house and excavate all around the foundation and install piping and gravel for underground drainage (assuming the soil isn't clay based) before even attempting to fix the inside walls. That my friend does not come cheap. As for the plaster falling in the kitchen, I'd say the roof or some of the brickwork is seriously leaking and the water is finding it's way down. (you will never find a leak where the water puddles, it will travel to there). Throw in the electrical system and I'm sorry but this house is literally crumbling under you and becoming a danger to you.
It's all nice to sit from afar and say fix it and then sell, but, this is beginning to look like an endless money pit. :(
 
In additional to, Deb, store contractors, the guys (and gals) that actually are hired by chain stores to install flooring, cabinetry, etc, are held accountable, so while you may pay a little more for such services, you are pretty much guaranteed a job well done in the end, and it will be done right.
 
debodun said:
This is the senior apartment complex I mentioned. Even though it got a 5-star rating, someone that reviewed it did not like it very much.

https://www.apartments.com/falcon-trace-active-adult-living-clifton-park-ny/ylhe5mr/
Click to expand...
If you are seeking to find what is wrong more than what is right, you are guaranteed to find it.

Why would you want to focus on the most negative review when it’s a 5 star apartment complex?

This type of thinking will keep you from traveling straight forward to your goal destination
 
noopdoggy said:
Lotsa of bad advice by keyboard commandos.. Having had many houses, repaired and built. I wouldn't let my chickens live in this place you call a house. get out now before your health,well being and bank account are ruined. What a pile of rubble.. I bet you have to hold your nose to live there. yick!
Click to expand...
The only thing missing on this forum is an oversized toilet to flush posts just like yours.

Not only are your entries insulting to the homeowner, their equally as insulting to members as myself, who have taken the time to drop-by this topic and extend our experiences, advice, and support of Deb, the homeowner.

Your two posts have been reported.
 


Back
Top