Esthetics can always be done..Check the water damage..you need to know how bad it is and if there is any mold. Get a quote for how much it would cost you to fix it.

Thank you both for your help!!

Mold remediation is VERY expensive. If you find mold make the seller pay for this. Please note that mold even after lots of money may come back. Key is low moisture. I think the house is very nice.

Have someone come out and inspect place if you can't pass on it, but I think with water damage... Kinda scary.

I'd be pretty hesitant to take that on -- this is more than a little TLC, this appears to be serious (and likely expensive) work. Now, it could be a great house again, but go in with your eyes open as to what you're getting into.

It's a very cool house and you could have a lot of fun with it. But you need to find out what caused the water damage. If a window broke during a storm or a sink overflowed, that's one thing. If the foundation is collapsing and the surrounding ground isn't sloped right, that's quite another.

Yes. Water damage....

Cause is first and foremost...is the cause still a threat...

But mould is a serious health concern...

I encourage you to retain an independent house inspector to give the place a thorough inspection and write a full report on what he/she finds. (This person should NOT be a general contractor who will be a candidate to do any subsequent repair work that needs to be done.) The items in the report will suggest how extensive the repair work will need to be.

Not knowing the extent of any changes you may wish to make to the house OTHER THAN necessary repairs, I think it would be in your best interest to determine what those changes might be before speaking with general contractors to do the repair work. If you have little experience with house design and construction, it may be best for you to work with a design professional to produce a design drawing showing the building changes you hope to make. That drawing, coupled with your inspection report, will be valuable as you approach general contractors to get a rough idea of what the work may cost. As an alternative to working with a design professional to develop any changes to the house, you can choose to work with a contractor who provides a design/build service if her/his past work meets the level of your design expectations.

Given what I see in your pictures, I think the house has a more distinctive spatial character than many houses have. The clerestory windows might provide some interesting light. The house, while somewhat unusual in shape, has a pleasant scale overall. If the property is particularly nice as well, you might have a good find. I do think the house needs design changes that work with its built character, not just TLC.

Good luck!

I'd pass unless the asking price is the same as the lot value and even then, you'll need cash to pay for all the repairs.

Wow! What a great house! I love the clerestory windows and the sheer size of the rooms inside. If the cost to find the source of water and repair any damages/mould is reasonable, I would say go for it. As long as it is safe and sound to live in (inspection is highly recommended) you can do these cosmetic updates over time. Be forewarned - this house is only for the brave! Good luck!

It is a very cool, and oddly appealing house! I agree that the first things to do would be discover the reasons for the water damage and assess for mold. If the water damage isn't unreasonable to repair, and the cause isn't likely to reappear, that wouldn't be so bad. If there is mold (checked out by a professional), then I'd say no-way. You can't be happy in a house that makes you sick!


After that, then if the idea of a house that has lots of room for improvement just means years if entertainment to you, then this is a great choice. If you want it to be perfect in a year, probably not.

The exterior of the house looks very interesting and unique, but I agree with other posters that you should consider the basic problems that need to be corrected first. The décor is a bit bright and different, but that is up to your personal taste and lifestyle. If you are determined to make it your long-term home, I would say you should go for it!

I love the bones of this house! But even if the actual damage is minimal, the cosmetic changes would be very costly I think.

To reno a home like this, from the views you are offering, is not going to be an inexpensive process. More to the point it will suck your life nights and weekends for at least a year. You are missing cabinet fronts, doors and floors. The drywall and perhaps the studs will need to be replaced then the existing studs treated to prevent regrowth of mold. The ceiling is toast. The roof probably is too.

Here is what happens with a place like this. First of all you will probably need a CO. You need to realistically see if you can financially handle the repairs to get a CO. Most banks do not offer straight mortgages on a property like this. Meaning you will be under their timeline to get work completed. You will need to run back and forth to city hall for permits. Part A needs to be done before Part B can be done if the contractor for part A is not available you get delayed. Inspectors from the city will come at varied stages to approve work done. The bank needs copys of that. After the CO work is done and the bank approves you need to recast the mortgage then hope you get a rate that will work for you as there is no lock in while conditions are being met. In the end you may have been able to build a home for less then refurbing this one. Without any contacts or experience you are bound to make errors. I would not tackle this project without knowing contractors and having friends and family that are willing to help.

For a first home, no home is perfect but, finding one that you can experiment on and that does not require a CO would be preferable. Practice and learn from mistakes and see what works for you in your commitment to DiY mostly find out who really is willing to help. Build a relationship with local tradesmen, contractors and carpenters. Attend home improvement classes that teach the basics in carpentry, tool handling, plumbing and electrical. Even if you have no intention of doing those things yourself at least you will skilled on what is right and wrong and more importantly what to ask for when remodeling.

For instance lets say you are having tile work done being aware on how the tile is supposed to go keeps you from accepting an end result like this.

or planning something that will end up like this

Cool house but not worth it, especially if you're new to homeownership. I'm thinking the source of the water damage may be structural, in which case you should pay a little more to get one that's structurally sound (pre-1980s) but needs a complete cosmetic overhaul. Then you can fix it at your own pace. It will be a long time before you can live in the house above. I'm gonna assume they don't have proper drainage in the backyard. I wouldn't buy. Sorry.

Not an attractive house at all! Inside or out. With that kind of damage, unless you have an extensive renovation budget and are willing to hire an architect and designer, I'd keep looking.

The exterior design was cool when built. But it looks like there's mold now because of the leak. The roof design may have lent itself to damage around the chimney. Mold remediation is a huge expense. The kitchen needs to be rebuilt from scratch. The tilework looks amateur, and I'll bet the bathrooms are equally in need of ripping out and rebuilding. I would keep looking.

Mold makes me sad. It looks like a lot because you can see it but unless this lot had an amazing location and views, just awesome and wonderful to you to live on that land, you are betting on something very hard. You may loose your health and with that all ambition to complete, wind up selling for a lose or equal to all your materials but maybe not your labor. Some houses should be free or even pay people to take on (some are). This would fit in that category. I would hope that a non profit or someone wanting to give back, perhaps to a disabled Vet, looks at this house instead of a healthy first home buyer.

I agree it looks cool but keep looking, trust me, keep looking! Make a vision of what you want and all you love! We did and it turned out amazing! There are some great stories out there and have faith, yours will be one too. Hugs. I know how it feels. Hold tight to your dreams though and you will find home!

I would agree that this could be a money pit unless you really like most of its features. As you are trying their decide, you should probably have an architect propose some suggestions even though I know that will be an expense. Having a professional evaluate the changes you are considering may give you a point from which to make a decision. It may be a bargain because of the cost to get it into shape. Good luck.

Old post

So what if it's an old post. If someone who is interested in buying a house similar to this sees it and learns something then it's still a valuable post