To Buy or Not to Buy a House Post B&P Inspection

Lchimchimfan1987 on 21/03/2024 - 17:37

Hi, I am interested in making an offer for a 2 bedroom old house (1960s) in Blacktown but I am concerned on some things mentioned in the b&p inspection for the house. I am hoping someone who has experienced in building, repairing and have had prior experience could shed some light on these things, i.e. risks/costs and what I should do next. Should I take these risks and make an offer? Thanks for your support.

  1. Collapsed living piers under one of the main bedrooms. Is this normal? I was told by the inspector that it can be fixed easily for a couple of thousands.

  2. Subterranean termite damage was located in aviary wall frame and exposed wall frame at rear/left elevation studio area (this is located outside in the garden). It is regarded as a Damage Defect to the extent that the timbers have become unserviceable and requires repairs. It should be noted that further termite damage might be present in concealed areas. I am very concern about this although the inspector told me he did not see any termites in and around the house.

  3. Water leaks are present at junction of kitchen and laundry but no water has seeped through the ceiling. The inspector told me this should be the first thing I fix first?

  4. Water leak in the shower recess and there's moisture on the timber under the bathroom

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Ocker on 21/03/2024 - 17:41
    +11

    Walk away

  • SBOB on 21/03/2024 - 18:09
    +2

    If you don't mind factoring in ~50k+ for fixing wet areas, termite damage and peering (with the possibility of that number being a very rough ball park with zero actual detail), then sure…it's.a 60 year old house with some renovations required :)

  • CheapandUsed on 21/03/2024 - 18:11
    +3

    I think I saw your post on Reddit with the photos.

    I think the biggest thing with each of those major issues are that they are not a basic DIY repair, and water damage is almost always more than you can see.

    Even the aviary looked asbestos and probably more than 10sqm (the diy limit), so will need a licensed remover.

    I would walk away unless you have the building skills to take this on and get for an appropriate price.

  • Stewardo on 21/03/2024 - 18:12
    +2

    No asbestos?
    Most 60 year old houses will have defects.
    If it’s all you can afford put in the bid.
    Collapsed pier isn’t a big job and is fairly normal, it can be a sign of water sitting under the house.
    All those things you’ve mentioned can be fixed.

    Is the yard big? Maybe you can flatten the bird house and studio and put in a granny flat.

  • FoxJump on 21/03/2024 - 18:31

    If you're looking for a knockdown rebuild, then proceed.
    Otherwise, pass.

  • freefall101 on 21/03/2024 - 18:33
    +4

    Leave it to a tradie who can fix it up themselves. If it was easy to fix, they would have done it themselves to boost the value of the house.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 22/03/2024 - 10:01

      Or it's the family of someone who has passed away and they just want to offload the property and exit their investment.

  • AustriaBargain on 21/03/2024 - 18:41
    +1

    1960s

    This is probably how it was built https://youtu.be/21cdcYAk2nE?si=uA5IHOHYKgmJ0Su5&t=3732

  • star-ggg on 21/03/2024 - 19:53

    2 bedroom house isn't worth renovating so you can't add value by slowly fixing things up. Price it as knock down and rebuild.

  • hasher22 on 21/03/2024 - 21:34

    Walk away, not worth the headache, time and money

  • Euphemistic on 22/03/2024 - 08:02

    If the location and price are what you want, and youre prepared to get your tools out or pay for trades then you dont have to run a mile.

    Its an old house, things are going to be wrong. Its just on you wether you think you can handle getting them fixed.

    Stumps are pretty straight forward.

    If the termites are no longer active its less of a concern to repair timbers and may not be difficult.

    Roof leaks can be a pain to repair but it may be straight forward. Im assuming by mentioning
    ceiling that it's a roof leak.

    Leaky shower means barhroom rebuild. If its an old bathroom im guessing youd planned on it anyway. If it's the only bathroom makes it more difficult becasue you need to do it quickly so you dont need to shower elsewhere for long. If its a second bathroom you can simply not use it until it's fixed.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 22/03/2024 - 10:00

    Water leak in the shower recess and there's moisture on the timber under the bathroom

    yay complete reno of the bathroom. There's 30-60k right there.

    As others have said, none of this is DIY-able so you will be paying tradies, which are at a huge premium at the moment.

    Given the age, these will be the first of many issues you'll have to continuously deal with in the next couple of years, guaranteed. It probably also needs a complete facelift if this is the condition, so you gotta ask yourself do you just demo it and start again?

    • Euphemistic on 22/03/2024 - 13:48

      $30-60k for a bathroom in a 2br 60s house? That sounds like over capitalising. No way of knowing what the problem is from the few words in the post. If its a leaky pipe, could be fixed for a few hundred by a plumber. If its a leaky shower, yous need a tiler and might get away with just doing the shower. Given its 60s its likely to be hardwood floors and might dry out fine unlike chipboard thatll need replacing.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 23/03/2024 - 21:23

        Shower recess leaking and moisture on the timber under the bathroom implies that the waterproof barrier has failed and needs to be completely replaced, so yeah it's a complete rebuild.

        you're right though, we don't know what the condition is and what it looks like, but if it's original, and it likely is, then this is probably one of many many issues.

  • stuffandthat on 22/03/2024 - 16:23

    Run.

    • Euphemistic on 23/03/2024 - 08:53
      +1

      To the bank to get your loan approved?

  • chimchimfan1987 on 23/03/2024 - 23:32

    Thanks everyone for your advice and recommendations! I will keep looking for a better place :P

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