My disaster in home repairs

Maybe most neighbors don't concern themselves that way. Actually, from the outside, unless you looked very closely, you wouldn't be able to tell. The outside is fairly good except for patches of back porch roofing, some loose bricks and trim that needs a fresh coat of paint. I think the cat odor has abated somewhat now that I don't have any, but probably noticeable to someone that isn't used to pets. Also, the wear and tear on the inside is due to being a dry 55 F inside in the winter and humid 88 F in the summer. That makes the old wallpaper peel.
 

What? 55 degree in the winter? 88 in the summer? Do you use a dehumidifier to help take the excess moisture out ? Our dehumidifier takes about 3 gallons of water out of our home each day and you can feel the difference. I use the water for my plants outside with nutrients sometimes added.

You did what you could and can’t change the past. All you can do is learn from your mistakes and move forward. That’s all any of us can do.
We aren’t any better; just different. 🥰
 

I have a window air conditioner in my bedroom. The house is pretty cool in winter. I put a thermometer in the downstairs hallway once because it felt cold. The temp was 55 F. It is probably about 65 F upstairs since heat rises. The front door is pretty loose. I asked a guy from church to put weather stripping on it and he refused saying it was an easy thing to do and I could do it myself. Yeah - easy if you know what youre doing. When it's windy, the curtains ruffle even when the windows are closed. Very drafty.

I do see evidence of mice from time to time. I can't keep any food items out on the kitchen counter except canned. I've posted before about my method of capturing them. Bat droppings are in the attic.

https://www.seniorforums.com/threads/my-no-fail-humane-mouse-catcher.42720/
 
debodun said:
Before I sell, I have to have someplace to go.
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I was where you are a year ago except my house was “only” 30 years old & not in need of major repairs. (Granted, a big difference....but similarities In our cirumstances also.) I 100% understand your indecision.
Within a week of learning that airbnb offered monthly rentals, i fiiiinally put my house on the market and it sold virtually overnight. I lived in airbnb’s for a week shy of 3 months. It was an EXCELLENT experience.
One of the big things i learned while being essentially homeless was to not be quiiiite so picky about the fine details of my next abode. I ultimately landed in a 55+ single family ’hood about 45 minutes from the house i sold.
Granted there are HOA fees but heck....no free rides, right. And LAWN MAINTENANCE is included in the HOA fee. I will never ever get over it lol - it makes my heart singgggg every single Wednesday when they show up unsolicited (by me) to mow/edge/trim/etc etc - it’s an ongoing THRILL!
My point is that it’s do-able. And my sense is that you KNOW that but you’re pretty much where I was before putting my house on the market last year.
I’m thinkin about ya & waiting to hear your happy ending - you GO, girl!
 
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debodun said:
I am probably used to it, but other people that have been inside usually comment on the odor. My mom, having had many cats over the years, doesn't help, either. Look what they did to the floor in one area. I can't even open the door there because the floor is so warped from the moisture:

View attachment 111331
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Deb--besides the cat urine damage to the floor, I see water damage on the walls. I think those "advising" you to get contractors are p*ssing in the wind. It would cost a fortune to get that place in habitable condition. That house should be condemned and you need a safe place to live.
 
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I’m not sure how you feel about living in a mobile community. Normally I wouldn’t invest in a mobile home as they don’t appreciate the same as regular houses BUT I think it’s a far wiser thing to do than rent. Renting might be a great idea at first while you explore other options.

There are some nice mobile senior communities as well as some nice mobile homes. A tiny home that has everything you need, is a reasonable size to clean and maintain and is bright and cheery.

Living in one of these communities, you’ll be with others going through the same stage of life as you, both males and females. These people can show you how to use bank machines and how to safely get a card. These people help each other and you are actually very good at socializing which I think you’d enjoy.

There’s usually snow removal, yard maintenance and garbage services included in these but not all are the same. I think you’d love living in a bright, clean, comfortable small home that you could realistically maintain.

Living in a community is actually a safe option since everyone watches out for everyone else. You’ll have friends. Anyway give it some consideration. I’m not sure what your mobile parks are like in N.Y. but there are some really classy, well maintained senior mobile communities in our area and rural New York doesn’t appear ‘that’ different from Ontario.

Note: if I lived closer I’d pick you up and drive you to one of these.


Senior living in New York State
https://www.senior-retirement-living.com/Search.php?State=NY

Best guide
https://www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com/manufacturedhomescommunities.html

55plus senior mobile homes living

https://www.after55.com/ny

Senior living - below link looks good

https://infoforseniorliving.com/?page=Housing for Low Income Seniors&og1=4e819c25-8738-4d34-822d-d03715a6dcc6&cid=cid12944

Mobile home parks ( not necessarily senior living )

https://www.mobilehome.net/mobile-home-park-directory/new-york/all
 
Lizzie00 said:
I was where you are a year ago except my house was “only” 30 years old & not in need of major repairs. (Granted, a big difference....but similarities In our cirumstances also.) I 100% understand your indecision.
Within a week of learning that airbnb offered monthly rentals, i fiiiinally put my house on the market and it sold virtually overnight. I lived in airbnb’s for a week shy of 3 months. It was an EXCELLENT experience.
One of the big things i learned while being essentially homeless was to not be quiiiite so picky about the fine details of my next abode. I ultimately landed in a 55+ single family ’hood about 45 minutes from the house i sold.
Granted there are HOA fees but heck....no free rides, right. And LAWN MAINTENANCE is included in the HOA fee. I will never ever get over it lol - it makes my heart singgggg every single Wednesday when they show up unsolicited (by me) to mow/edge/trim/etc etc - it’s an ongoing THRILL!
My point is that it’s do-able. And my sense is that you KNOW that but you’re pretty much where I was before putting my house on the market last year.
I’m thinkin about ya & waiting to hear your happy ending - you GO, girl!
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I was hoping someone would chime in about senior community living. I think she’d actually really like it
 
Thanks for all the cool advice. I did look into senior apartments a few years ago. They are either more than I can afford, or I do not qualify as low income enough to reside there (i.e. either for the very wealthy or very poor). It's a real Catch-22.
 
A person I told I was getting an inspector to look at my house and advise me said this: A home inspector will only point out what needs to be repaired to bring it up to code or to make it habitable. It's a good idea, but can be expensive to find out a lot of what you already know.
 
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debodun said:
A person I told I was getting an inspector to look at my house and advise me said this: A home inspector will only point out what needs to be repaired to bring it up to code or to make it habitable. It's a good idea, but can be expensive to find out a lot of what you already know.
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Yes but the thing is, if you want to sell your home, you can sell it ‘as is’ or ‘to code.’ Of course you’ll get more if it’s to code but an inspector should be able to give you a better idea what the most important things are that need doing.

An inspector should be able to give you contractor references as well as realtors. Even if you don’t sell it, it’s good to know what it’s worth even if it’s just an estimate. With some professionals working for you it should help you feel less overwhelmed. Let her know what your biggest concerns are.

If fact, I’d write a list of all the questions you have for her. Her professional opinion should help guide you to your next move, in whatever direction you decide to go

Note: For the record my suggestion to get an inspector and sell the house ‘as is’ wasn’t said to suggest being deceptive. Yes of course you’ll get less if you don’t fix all this stuff but at least you will have a better idea what needs doing and an estimated cost to fix it.

If you have a realtor when you sell, which you will, they will make sure everything is disclosed so you don’t get sued. That’s what you pay them for.
 
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If your intention is to sell the property the defects disclosed in an inspection report may work against you.

"Moreover, a seller who actively concealed a defect could be found liable to the buyer for damages caused by the defect. Active concealment means the seller knew about, but failed to disclose, a defect, and interfered with the buyer’s efforts to inspect the property. (See Laxer v. Edelman, 75 A.D. 3d 584 (2d Dept. 2010).)"

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclop...ers-disclosures-required-under-state-law.html
 
Aunt Bea said:
If your intention is to sell the property the defects disclosed in an inspection report may work against you.

"Moreover, a seller who actively concealed a defect could be found liable to the buyer for damages caused by the defect. Active concealment means the seller knew about, but failed to disclose, a defect, and interfered with the buyer’s efforts to inspect the property. (See Laxer v. Edelman, 75 A.D. 3d 584 (2d Dept. 2010).)"

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclop...ers-disclosures-required-under-state-law.html
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Unless intending to raze the house, virtually any buyer would/should get a top-to-bottom inspection especially given the obvious problems. Like NY, California has an exhaustive list of known defects that sellers must disclose.
 
Keesha said:
An inspector should be able to give you contractor references as well as realtors.
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I just spoke with the inspector I left a message for. She wanted to know where I got the idea that she would recommend contractors. She can only discover and advise about potential problems. It is up to the buyer or homeowner to make their own arrangements about repairs. There is a liability and conflict of interest involved.

Maybe the rules are different in different locales.

I though about asking my homeowner's insurance company's agent for contractors, but the last three times I did, she said her boyfriend could help me and she had given him my name and phone number. I never did hear from him, but I find it difficult to believe one person can too ALL the things I need done. I don't even know if he's qualified.
 
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debodun said:
I just spoke with the inspector I left a message for. She wanted to know where I got the idea that she would recommend contractors. She can only discover and advise about potential problems. It is up to the buyer or homeowner to make their own arrangements about repairs.

Maybe the rules are different in different locales.
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Probably different since you’re in the United States. Up here if you hire a house inspector or realtor and sometimes contractors, they all work togrher so support and refer each other.

Will she at least prioritize what things need fixing for you? I hope so. There’s a lot she should be able to help you with.
 
debodun said:
I just spoke with the inspector I left a message for. She wanted to know where I got the idea that she would recommend contractors. She can only discover and advise about potential problems. It is up to the buyer or homeowner to make their own arrangements about repairs.

Maybe the rules are different in different locales.
Click to expand...
Did you ask if there is a legal requirement where you live to disclose known defects to prospective buyers? I think the only defect you haven't written about is the heating system. Roof, walls, rodents, cat urine, windows, brick, electrical, interior ceiling collapsing, cellar water filtering in, is quite a lot to disclose.

On the plus side you did title this thread correctly.
 
Knight said:
Did you ask if there is a legal requirement where you live to disclose known defects to prospective buyers? I think the only defect you haven't written about is the heating system. Roof, walls, rodents, cat urine, windows, brick, electrical, interior ceiling collapsing, cellar water filtering in, is quite a lot to disclose.

On the plus side you did title this thread correctly.
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Aunt Bea posted it above in her post #188. Both live in New York State.
 
debodun said:
I just spoke with the inspector I left a message for. She wanted to know where I got the idea that she would recommend contractors. She can only discover and advise about potential problems. It is up to the buyer or homeowner to make their own arrangements about repairs. There is a liability and conflict of interest involved.

Maybe the rules are different in different locales.

I though about asking my homeowner's insurance company's agent for contractors, but the last three times I did, she said her boyfriend could help me and she had given him my name and phone number. I never did hear from him, but I find it difficult to believe one person can too ALL the things I need done. I don't even know if he's qualified.
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You need a general contractor. You can google to find a list of them or go to a service like Home Advisor. Home advisor will provide a list of general contractors, you can google each one you like, pick the one you want; and then have them come out and look at your house.

A general contractor can direct repairs for everything that needs repairing.

As this thread goes on, it seems that you are, for whatever, reason @debodun inadequate to the task of repairing your house, or you just want the attention the thread gives you. I don’t mind if you want attention, I’m fine with giving it to you.

Finding contractors, choosing paint, and getting repairs are just not that hard. But I found my husband unable to do this as well and I, once again, had to take over. This is an issue for people who just want to get stuff done but not do the research to insure they deal with reliable knowledge people.

You need to research for a good reliable general contractor in your area; and a construction attorney to guide you through the paperwork and process so you don’t get taken advantage of again. IMO, you may have tried to do things on the cheap and that’s why you have had substandard workers. You get what you pay for.

However, the house is not safe. IMO sell it, move, and get on with your life.
 
So far, I'm looking at-

Asbestos inspection/removal
mold /dry rot/ radon
vermin extermination/termites

roofing
gutters/leaders

new electrical
new plumbing
check furnace

re mortar loose brickwork
cellar
replace 30 windows thermal pane/ screens
porch railings

rip out/replace old carpeting
rip out/replace stained, warped wood flooring.

Strip off stained wallpaper, replace or paint walls and ceilings.

repaint or replace kitchen cabinets
scrub or replace stove

Unknown problems with bathrooms?

Carting costs
 

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