Siding issue - house next door extremely close

last year

We're thinking of buying a 100+ year-old home, however the place next door is a mere 10 inches from our potential place (also a 100+ year-old place) on the west side. The siding from what we can see seems to be okay-ish with places that look old and worn... but nothing falling apart. No person would be able to fit through in order to fix it if an issue does pop up. Has anyone dealt with this before? If we buy it and do notice an issue (mold, water, etc.), how the heck would we be able to address the issue (assume having to go from the inside)? Because the homes are so close, I'm guessing it means it's fairly protected from the elements - but also it likely means siding has never been fixed in 100+ years. We don't want to purchase the place and just immediately have to throw a crazy amount of money at the problem. Attached is a picture that we can see, along with a google view of the narrowness. Any help would be appreciated!

Featured Answer

cat_ky

last year

I would keep looking. That looks like a problem in the one area already, and will only get worse. Find a house, you can get around on all sides. A 100 yr old house, usually has other problems, that will require money on too, but, sometimes, they are well worth buying. This one would be a big NO for me.

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Comments (13)

millworkman
last year
last modified: last year
You cannot fix or replace exterior siding from the interior effectively. Keep looking.
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PRO
Minardi
last year
The only "solution" here would be to join one home to the other as a type of rowhouse. I don't even know the red tape for that, if the other owner would possibly agree to it. I mean, they have the same issue. And, who would want to live in a municipality that allowed only a 10" setback?
klem1
last year
"And who would want to live in a municipality that allowed only a 10" setback"?

My thought exactly and could be only the first of many problems that follow.

HTH did they manage to build the second building in the first place?
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Apparently the adjacent building is brick, which explains how it was able to be built so closely. And 70 years ago, they didn't enforce setbacks too well. If you can't work out an ironclad agreement such as Minardi has suggested, I'd pass. A proper independent repair would be catastrophically expensive.
3onthetree
last year
Can't really opine on whether you should buy the house. Looks like multi-family next door, maybe you're looking for land value in the future. It might be slightly helpful to know where the property line falls, but if reasons exist for buying that supercedes fixing the siding (and what looks like a porch that was enclosed), anything can be done and figured out with enough money and brains.
Nick Pennebaker
Original Author
last year
Thanks all - really appreciate the comments and help. Yeah, it is multifamily next door that was built 30ish years after the original home. Obviously don't love hearing the words "catastrophically expensive" but I guess that's to be expected. All frustrating because it's a great place, but the building next door is definitely the issue.
Sigrid
last year
If you like the house, you can get a quote from some contractor. Most sellers will allow that, unless they know the answer is "crazy expensive". You may need to put a deposit on the house, but you can be explicit that you'll want your money back if it fails inspection.
cat_ky
last year
I couldnt stand living that close to my neighbor either, and since it is also multi family, that would be even worse. No privacy at all.
thinkdesignlive
last year
I’d pass.
millworkman
last year
" It might be worth reaching out to a contractor to assess the situation and explore solutions like extra protection or adjustments to the siding. "

Did you look at the pics and read the description @ HU-907127668 ?
klem1
last year
"It might be worth reaching out to a contractor to assess the situation and explore solutions like extra protection or adjustments to the siding."

You can't put a price on this kind of advice. 3 cheers for HU-907127668.
millworkman
7 months ago
" When a neighbor’s house is extremely close, siding issues can be tricky. Limited space makes repairs, painting, or maintenance more difficult, and it can also increase the risk of damage during storms or construction. "

No s**t eh.........Only a matter of time before this poster returns with a link of some sort.