Pineapple Express: Someone Is Wrong on the Internet?

[Ryujin]

Any advice for a first-time home buyer? Asking for a friend.

I am the friend.

Get a home inspection.

Not the one recommended by the home owner.

 

[TiQuinn]

Any advice for a first-time home buyer? Asking for a friend.

I am the friend.

Start budgeting for the following:

1. Roof
2. Air conditioning unit
3. Furnace
4. Sump pump
5. Appliances

At some point, all of these are going to need to be replaced. The first three had to be replaced in our home 5 to 10 years after we bought the house, so not immediately, but one right after the other in quick succession. And I don’t mean to say it as a scary thing, but it’s good to know what the cost of that kind of upkeep is and be prepared for it.

 

[payn]

Get a home inspection.

Not the one recommended by the home owner.

Age of neighborhood and construction practices really vary too. Here in Twin cities many homes were built up to the 60's with clay pipe for drains from the house. Clay that breaks down and is susceptible to tree root invasion. This is something a home inspector isnt going to be able to see, so you might want to hire a plumber to run a scope. In fact, the last home inspection I had in 2020, I felt like the home inspector was sort of a waste but the plumber was worth every penny. I know a few things about construction though so a laymen might get more out of an inspector.

I'd come armed with questions for the home inspector too. Age of roof, windows, electrical panel, insulation in attic, age of furnace/AC, water heater, etc...

 

[payn]

Start budgeting for the following:

1. Roof
2. Air conditioning unit
3. Furnace
4. Sump pump
5. Appliances

At some point, all of these are going to need to be replaced. The first three had to be replaced in our home 5 to 10 years after we bought the house, so not immediately, but one right after the other in quick succession. And I don’t mean to say it as a scary thing, but it’s good to know what the cost of that kind of upkeep is and be prepared for it.

Yeap, thats what I was getting at. I bought a home in 2020 knowing the roof had 5-10 years tops on it and I had it done last summer. I was able to budget for it. Half the windows are old, but in decent shape. Electrical was all updated. So, I knew what to expect in the next 5-10 years after purchase.

 

[trappedslider]

Any advice for a first-time home buyer? Asking for a friend.

I am the friend.

and now for a joke: build a time machine and buy a house in the 90s.

 

[TiQuinn]

Yeap, thats what I was getting at. I bought a home in 2020 knowing the roof had 5-10 years tops on it and I had it done last summer. I was able to budget for it. Half the windows are old, but in decent shape. Electrical was all updated. So, I knew what to expect in the next 5-10 years after purchase.

I will say one of the big gotchas IMO is windows. Unless you actually have a much older house, or actually have damage, most of the time, you do not have to replace your windows. You can typically get them reframed with the existing panes for much cheaper and still reduce energy leakage.

Of course the guys going door to door every 3 months offering window estimates will never say that.

 

[payn]

I will say one of the big gotchas IMO is windows. Unless you actually have a much older house, or actually have damage, most of the time, you do not have to replace your windows. You can typically get them reframed with the existing panes for much cheaper and still reduce energy leakage.

Of course the guys going door to door every 3 months offering window estimates will never say that.

True, some of those single panes are gonna be energy leeches no matter what though. The old frames made of wood are of concern though if they rot its a bad day. Good frames though will allow for cheaper pane replacement for sure.

 

[Scribe]

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oh, very good, yes yes, please do continue.

 

[Bedrockgames]

Get a home inspection.

Not the one recommended by the home owner.

I am not a homeowner so take with a grain of salt, but my grandfather was a brick layer and always emphasized getting the foundation checked

 

[payn]

I am not a homeowner so take with a grain of salt, but my grandfather was a brick layer and always emphasized getting the foundation checked

Yeap, foundation is huge. Older homes might have limestone instead of cinder block as it didnt become standard until late 30's and just beyond. Limestone is ok, but it will break down over time and needs to be watched and maintained.

If the house has a wood foundation, just walk away. I dont care how cute the breakfast nook is. Get away from it now!