Overqualified for Local Senior Apartment

debodun said:
Thanks, Wrigley. I did talk to several realtors a few years ago and the consensus of opinion, even back then, was that I would have to spend a minimum of $100K to bring it up to "code" even before they would consider putting it on the market.

I also looked into getting a grounded electric system and the contractor I spoke with said that it would cost about $100 an outlet to renovate. There 10 rooms with at least 3 outlets in each. You do the math. It's only an inconvenience to me when I want to use in something that has a grounded plug. When I got a new refrigerator a few years ago, the guy put an "adapter" on the plug - probably not the best solution, though.

Could use new energy-efficient windows, too. On a cold windy day, I might not even have windows on the house for all the good the ones on there are. I think there are over 30 windows in the house! How much would that cost?

I could spend my life saving fixing it up only to sell it to someone that going to come in and rip it all out anyway and put in what they want. All these "code" issues weren't a problem when my parents bought it in 1975.
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Yeah, I forgot about the electrical. That would double the $50 grand I mentioned, so the contractor's estimate is right on. Then you got your freezing pipe issue.

I know of a rare buy --- a lady friend of mine wanted her house so badly she paid around $10K to bring it up to code for the sellers, and this was without assurance that she'd even get the house. She put in another $10K for all new windows but only after they promised she'd get the house. The total is not even a quarter of what you need, but I'm just saying maybe you're not totally screwed. There's hope if you can wait it out and contact the right people.
 

debodun,

have you ever read Elizabeth Enright's books Gone-Away Lake and Return to Gone-Away? Two of my favorite books and your house reminds me of the end of the first one and the whole second one! In a good way.
 
Debodun -- I'm in much the same boat. I'd have to put a lot into my house to bring it all up to code and replace some things. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I'm kind of stuck here for the duration. The house is quite livable for me, but just too big and I'd rather have something smaller, without a front lawn to hassle with, but I guess it's just not in the cards.

Oh well, there are people out there without a roof over their head at all, so I can't complain.
 

Debo, I don't know why but your situation interests me. Maybe because besides being a DIY-er, I like a challenge.

So, some things to look into:

I already mentioned finding a buyer willing to get the place up to code in exchange for a price offset, which would amount to a "free" house for the buyer, and getting out from under for you.

Other possibilities:

If you were to obtain a senior care or daycare license - there's a list of home businesses along those lines - you could get a government grant to pay for all the repairs and you wouldn't even have to open for business.

There's a couple of organizations that get old houses up to code for free, and seniors are their priority list. HARP is one and their website has links to others.

Investigate home repair grants. The government has tons of money up for grabs and you don't always have to pay it back. In fact most grants are not loans.

GoFundMe is an online fundraising website. Check it out. You need a huge amount of funding but if you post a fund-raiser there, let us know here. I would definitely donate. There are other fundraiser sites too. You could hit all of them.
 
Guitarist said:
have you ever read Elizabeth Enright's books Gone-Away Lake and Return to Gone-Away? Two of my favorite books and your house reminds me of the end of the first one and the whole second one! In a good way.
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Sounds interesting. I'll have to see if our regional library system has then when I get done with the pile I want to finish reading now. Thanks for the tip.
 
Wrigley's last post here is interesting. Not that I know anything about building and codes but can't homes be sold as is? Is there much "flipping" in your area or is it more rural. I know in California that some things have to be done here like strapping water heaters and carbone monoxide detectors. More I'm sure I don't know about.

debodun, I feel bad for you as the house seems like a burden more than anything but with some sentimental attachment I'm sure. I'm worried about moving to a newer manufactured home so I can't imagine what the upkeep on your place must be. I hope something works out.
 
I just this morning signed to renew the lease on my Senior Living 2 bed 2 bath apartment for an additional $20 per month bringing the total to $ 1,250 monthly, a modest and acceptable increase.
 
Lon said:
I just this morning signed to renew the lease on my Senior Living 2 bed 2 bath apartment for an additional $20 per month bringing the total to $ 1,250 monthly, a modest and acceptable increase.
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Lon, I know we are getting off topic here, but I could never afford that on full retirement. I think my stepfather brings in about 2500 a month with his social security and pension and he likes to act like he is broke. I'll be social security only with money put away. Right now I pay 800 for a nice one bedroom but as I stated before, they are renting to new renters at 870 and I don't know if that includes the water and garbage surcharge that apartments are now adding.
 

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