I Was Fooled by a Flipped Home. Here Are 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying It I always thought I’d renovate. I’d buy a 100-year-old home and turn it into my impeccably restored dream. (My Zillow searches probably prove this; it’s all antique homes galore.) But the idea of buying a developer’s flip? No way I’d do that! Then I fell in love with a location. In the shadow of the U.S Capitol, I found an 1880 Victorian that had been split up into condos. Every detail was beautifully restored, expensive fixtures hinted at a designer-level attention to detail. The floor plan made an incredible use of the 850-square-foot space. And, the best news: our inspector found nothing beyond a shower door in need of resealing and a matte bathroom paint that wasn’t ideal. Naturally, I bought it. But the honeymoon period didn’t last long. There was so much more wrong than the eye could see. Here’s what I wish I’d known before buying a historic flip — and what can hopefully save you if you’re trying to do the same. Find an Inspector Who Will Kick The Tires Our inspector missed that the windows were installed without proper flashing. He missed that the HVAC system is too small for our unit. And there was no indication that the plumbing system wasn’t up to code. That’s why an inspection needs to go beyond a surface-level walk-through to dig into the electrical, plumbing, roofing, and more. All major systems should be on their radar. And, if the inspector has a concern that goes beyond their skill set, an expert should be brought in to determine the extent of the issue. Ask for inspector recommendations and check valid licensing and references before you make an offer so that you’re ready to spring into action. If you can find an inspector with specific experience working on historic renovations, even better. This could be the best $300 to $800 you’ll spend.Request a List of All Completed Renovations and Updates Bruce Irving, a Cambridge-based realtor and renovation consultant who produced This OId House for 17 years, is an expert in historic real estate. He advises clients to leave no stone unturned, asking questions like “What was done to the structure during renovation? The foundation? The wiring? The plumbing?02 How was the insulation upgraded? Was there any insect or water or fire damage discovered during the project and, if so, how was it addressed?” It pays to do this kind of digging. “Quiz the seller, via his or her listing agent, mercilessly about what got done before the finishes went in,” Irving adds. “I realize that in a seller’s market like the one we’re in around here, being anything like a squeaky wheel can negatively differentiate you from the panting, drooling competition, but the agent should be prepared and willing to share whatever information that’s available. If not, I’d move on.” This list goes beyond your assessment of a home’s interior finishes, or the inspector determining that yes, the place is functionally sound. You want to know that you’re paying for renovations that are actually what they seem. Pull Permits and Compare Them to the Work That Was Done This is one place where things went awry in my own home. Plumbing issues, leaks, and other issues began to pop up shortly after we moved in. As contractors spent time working on fixes, it became apparent that plans were submitted to the city then completely thrown out the window in execution and, in some cases, permits were never pulled. Irving recommends going directly to the building department (or asking your real estate agent to) and reading about the project. “How many inspections were made — foundation, framing, wiring, plumbing, insulation, final — and what can you glean from them? Are any still open?” he asks. Permits are public record, so put on your detective hat and track them down stat. Do Your Research on the Developer While practice doesn’t always make perfect, you might find peace of mind in knowing that a particular developer — or amateur flipper — has done this before (spoiler: ours hadn’t). If they worked on previous flips of historic homes, check out their prior projects, talk to the agents who sold the houses, and, if possible, ask them to put you in touch with the current owners. You not only want to see the glossy MLS photos, but you want to find out what happened six months to a year after closing. Look into the Contractor’s History and Reviews My personal horror story: Two of the primary contractors on our home’s flip were out of business by the time we realized the extent of the renovation mess. Had we known to look into their reviews, possible Better Business Bureau complaints, and asked for references, there would have been immediate red flags. The developer and/or seller should be open about who they used. If they’re not, take that as a glaring clue.02 And When You Do Buy a Renovated Historic Home… Ask for a home warranty and keep a reserve of cash on hand for repairs. There are divisive opinions on home warranties, but ours came in handy with various small projects in the first year of owning. And regardless of whether your historic home was flipped hastily or carefully, old houses always,always need repairs, so keep a savings account designated for issues big and small that could be hiding within those storied walls. View Web Version
【 在 WCNMLGB (CCC) 的大作中提到: 】 : I Was Fooled by a Flipped Home. Here Are 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before : Buying It : I always thought I’d renovate. I’d buy a 100-year-old home and turn it : into my impeccably restored dream. (My Zillow searches probably prove this; : it’s all antique homes galore.) But the idea of buying a developer’s flip? : No way I’d do that! : Then I fell in love with a location. In the shadow of the U.S Capitol, I : found an 1880 Victorian that had been split up into condos. Every detail was : beautifully restored, expensive fixtures hinted at a designer-level : attention to detail. The floor plan made an incredible use of the 850- square : ...................
I Was Fooled by a Flipped Home. Here Are 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before
Buying It
I always thought I’d renovate. I’d buy a 100-year-old home and turn it
into my impeccably restored dream. (My Zillow searches probably prove this; it’s all antique homes galore.) But the idea of buying a developer’s flip? No way I’d do that!
Then I fell in love with a location. In the shadow of the U.S Capitol, I
found an 1880 Victorian that had been split up into condos. Every detail was beautifully restored, expensive fixtures hinted at a designer-level
attention to detail. The floor plan made an incredible use of the 850-square-foot space. And, the best news: our inspector found nothing beyond a shower door in need of resealing and a matte bathroom paint that wasn’t ideal.
Naturally, I bought it. But the honeymoon period didn’t last long. There
was so much more wrong than the eye could see. Here’s what I wish I’d
known before buying a historic flip — and what can hopefully save you if
you’re trying to do the same.
Find an Inspector Who Will Kick The Tires
Our inspector missed that the windows were installed without proper flashing. He missed that the HVAC system is too small for our unit. And there was no indication that the plumbing system wasn’t up to code.
That’s why an inspection needs to go beyond a surface-level walk-through to dig into the electrical, plumbing, roofing, and more. All major systems
should be on their radar. And, if the inspector has a concern that goes
beyond their skill set, an expert should be brought in to determine the
extent of the issue.
Ask for inspector recommendations and check valid licensing and references
before you make an offer so that you’re ready to spring into action. If you can find an inspector with specific experience working on historic
renovations, even better. This could be the best $300 to $800 you’ll spend.Request a List of All Completed Renovations and Updates
Bruce Irving, a Cambridge-based realtor and renovation consultant who
produced This OId House for 17 years, is an expert in historic real estate. He advises clients to leave no stone unturned, asking questions like “What was done to the structure during renovation? The foundation? The wiring? The plumbing?02 How was the insulation upgraded? Was there any insect or
water or fire damage discovered during the project and, if so, how was it
addressed?” It pays to do this kind of digging.
“Quiz the seller, via his or her listing agent, mercilessly about what got done before the finishes went in,” Irving adds. “I realize that in a
seller’s market like the one we’re in around here, being anything like a
squeaky wheel can negatively differentiate you from the panting, drooling
competition, but the agent should be prepared and willing to share whatever information that’s available. If not, I’d move on.”
This list goes beyond your assessment of a home’s interior finishes, or the inspector determining that yes, the place is functionally sound. You want
to know that you’re paying for renovations that are actually what they seem.
Pull Permits and Compare Them to the Work That Was Done
This is one place where things went awry in my own home. Plumbing issues,
leaks, and other issues began to pop up shortly after we moved in. As
contractors spent time working on fixes, it became apparent that plans were submitted to the city then completely thrown out the window in execution and, in some cases, permits were never pulled.
Irving recommends going directly to the building department (or asking your real estate agent to) and reading about the project. “How many inspections were made — foundation, framing, wiring, plumbing, insulation, final — and what can you glean from them? Are any still open?” he asks. Permits are
public record, so put on your detective hat and track them down stat.
Do Your Research on the Developer
While practice doesn’t always make perfect, you might find peace of mind in knowing that a particular developer — or amateur flipper — has done this before (spoiler: ours hadn’t). If they worked on previous flips of historic homes, check out their prior projects, talk to the agents who sold the
houses, and, if possible, ask them to put you in touch with the current
owners. You not only want to see the glossy MLS photos, but you want to find out what happened six months to a year after closing.
Look into the Contractor’s History and Reviews
My personal horror story: Two of the primary contractors on our home’s flip were out of business by the time we realized the extent of the renovation
mess. Had we known to look into their reviews, possible Better Business
Bureau complaints, and asked for references, there would have been immediate red flags. The developer and/or seller should be open about who they used. If they’re not, take that as a glaring clue.02
And When You Do Buy a Renovated Historic Home…
Ask for a home warranty and keep a reserve of cash on hand for repairs.
There are divisive opinions on home warranties, but ours came in handy with various small projects in the first year of owning. And regardless of
whether your historic home was flipped hastily or carefully, old houses
always,always need repairs, so keep a savings account designated for issues big and small that could be hiding within those storied walls.
View Web Version
除非你很懂房子，以前也常常自己修房子，不然就不要随便学人家去玩这种游戏，特别是很老的房子，这里面都是坑。哥也为装修厨房申请过permit，从设计到材料到施工，每一个都是时时监督，而且还要应付来自老婆孩子和包工头的质疑，在关键事情上不退缩，真的是褪半层皮。好在效果很好，大家都很满意，不然真的是有得郁闷了。
我的意思不是说自己做flipper买烂房子restore之后卖出去；而是买这种flip了的房子，水很深。是不是？
我以前就有这种朋友，看上一个房子，刚装修过的，看上去非常光鲜。但是搬进去之后不到一年就各种问题。就是之前那个倒房子的卖家，重新装修的料都是便宜劣质的。刚开始看挺好，但是很快就出问题。
所以一般确实要远离这种房子。
【 在 PCCC (终于找到了昵称！) 的大作中提到: 】
: 除非你很懂房子，以前也常常自己修房子，不然就不要随便学人家去玩这种游戏，特别
: 是很老的房子，这里面都是坑。哥也为装修厨房申请过permit，从设计到材料到施工，
: 每一个都是时时监督，而且还要应付来自老婆孩子和包工头的质疑，在关键事情上不退
: 缩，真的是褪半层皮。好在效果很好，大家都很满意，不然真的是有得郁闷了。
是的，这种房子一般都爱做表面文章，掩盖问题。这些人都是为了赚钱，自然不会解决根本问题，材料也是最廉价的。所以效果可想而知。
【 在 WCNMLGB (CCC) 的大作中提到: 】
: 我的意思不是说自己做flipper买烂房子restore之后卖出去；而是买这种flip了的房子
: ，水很深。是不是？
:
: 我以前就有这种朋友，看上一个房子，刚装修过的，看上去非常光鲜。但是搬进去之后
: 不到一年就各种问题。就是之前那个倒房子的卖家，重新装修的料都是便宜劣质的。刚
: 开始看挺好，但是很快就出问题。
:
: 所以一般确实要远离这种房子。
:
: 【 在 PCCC (终于找到了昵称！) 的大作中提到: 】
: : 除非你很懂房子，以前也常常自己修房子，不然就不要随便学人家去玩这种游戏，特别
: : 是很老的房子，这里面都是坑。哥也为装修厨房申请过permit，从设计到材料到施工，
: : 每一个都是时时监督，而且还要应付来自老婆孩子和包工头的质疑，在关键事情上不退
: : 缩，真的是褪半层皮。好在效果很好，大家都很满意，不然真的是有得郁闷了。
绝对不能买flip的房子，原因不用解释
对，还有一个原因是这种房子因为看上去光鲜，所以卖家一般都把售价定的非常高，因为本来就是要赚钱，尽可能多的赚，所以售价严重虚高
【 在 PCCC (终于找到了昵称！) 的大作中提到: 】
: 是的，这种房子一般都爱做表面文章，掩盖问题。这些人都是为了赚钱，自然不会解决
: 根本问题，材料也是最廉价的。所以效果可想而知。
: 特别
: 工，
: 不退
是这样的。买房子还是不要买那种在卖前疯狂装修的房子。那种房子都是有隐患的。如果你对房子很懂，装修过自己的房子也可以买装修很久但是房子结构很好的房子，还是比较合算的。
【 在 WCNMLGB (CCC) 的大作中提到: 】
: 对，还有一个原因是这种房子因为看上去光鲜，所以卖家一般都把售价定的非常高，因
: 为本来就是要赚钱，尽可能多的赚，所以售价严重虚高
:
: 【 在 PCCC (终于找到了昵称！) 的大作中提到: 】
: : 是的，这种房子一般都爱做表面文章，掩盖问题。这些人都是为了赚钱，自然不会解决
: : 根本问题，材料也是最廉价的。所以效果可想而知。
: : 特别
: : 工，
: : 不退
最好是那种一家住了很久，房主对房子很爱惜，精心定期保养还不断装修的。那种用料做工都应该是实实在在的
【 在 PCCC (终于找到了昵称！) 的大作中提到: 】
: 是这样的。买房子还是不要买那种在卖前疯狂装修的房子。那种房子都是有隐患的。如
: 果你对房子很懂，装修过自己的房子也可以买装修很久但是房子结构很好的房子，还是
: 比较合算的。
: 解决
flip的房子就像鸡去修了一下处女膜
【 在 WCNMLGB (CCC) 的大作中提到: 】
: I Was Fooled by a Flipped Home. Here Are 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before
: Buying It
: I always thought I’d renovate. I’d buy a 100-year-old home and turn it
: into my impeccably restored dream. (My Zillow searches probably prove this;
: it’s all antique homes galore.) But the idea of buying a developer’s
flip?
: No way I’d do that!
: Then I fell in love with a location. In the shadow of the U.S Capitol, I
: found an 1880 Victorian that had been split up into condos. Every detail
was
: beautifully restored, expensive fixtures hinted at a designer-level
: attention to detail. The floor plan made an incredible use of the 850-
square
: ...................
装修就是给驴粪蛋上光
【 在 WCNMLGB (CCC) 的大作中提到: 】
: 我的意思不是说自己做flipper买烂房子restore之后卖出去；而是买这种flip了的房子
: ，水很深。是不是？
: 我以前就有这种朋友，看上一个房子，刚装修过的，看上去非常光鲜。但是搬进去之后
: 不到一年就各种问题。就是之前那个倒房子的卖家，重新装修的料都是便宜劣质的。刚
: 开始看挺好，但是很快就出问题。
: 所以一般确实要远离这种房子。