Real Estate Questions in WY. (Hanna, Midwest: cul-de-sac, sales, condo)
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I've never been to Wyoming, and the relocation packets I have ordered are starting to arrive. I have a few questions about real estate descriptions that are not used down here in Texas (Houston). I've never seen two bedroom homes (unheard of in TX), and I'm still attempting to get my jaw off the floor at the unbelieveable prices! My house here in Houston looks like it would cost twice as much up there! Reading the ads makes me feel like I'm moving to another country. We don't have basements along the coast, so several questions refer to them...
What is a non-conforming bedroom?
What does an ad mean by "single level living" or "one level living"?
What is a "walk out basement"?
Several ads boast "central air". Do some houses not have A/C?
What is a "pellet fireplace" or "pellet insert"?
Several ads boast "steel siding" is this desirable? Never seen this in TX.
I see ads for "modular home on perm. foundataion" - is this a mobile home? Would these homes have less insulation and be expensive to heat in winter?
OK, and one more interesting ad, a business ad to "test your home for meth". At first, I thought it was a misprint and they meant test your home for MOLD, but the company name is "Trauma Clean Specialists"... So I am mystified... Another thing I've never heard of around here...
I don't live in Wyoming, but I know the answer to most of your questions....
"What is a non-conforming bedroom?" This is a bedroom without a closet or on a floor without a bathroom. A conforming bedroom is on a level with a bathroom and it must have a closet in it.
"What does an ad mean by "single level living" or "one level living"?" This is a one-story house.
"What is a "walk out basement"? It's like it sounds. It's a basement with an exit going directly outside without having to go upstairs into the house to go outside, usually built into a hill or built up on a higher foundation.
"Several ads boast "central air". Do some houses not have A/C?" A lot of houses don't have central air there since the humidity isn't as bad up there as it is down here (I'm in Memphis, so I know we share similarly horrendous heat/humidity). Window units will usually suffice when the humidity isn't as hideous as we're accustomed to having.
"What is a "pellet fireplace" or "pellet insert"? Beats me.
"Several ads boast "steel siding" is this desirable? Never seen this in TX." Anotoher type of siding, similar to vinyl and aluminum siding, but out of steel. It doesn't rot, blister or burn.
"I see ads for "modular home on perm. foundataion" - is this a mobile home? " Would these homes have less insulation and be expensive to heat in winter?
These are like Jim Walter homes. The pieces are pre-fabricated and moved to your lot and then put together, much like the log cabin kits you can buy. From what I understand, you can insulate these as you would any other home. They are not mobile homes as they aren't intended to be moved again.
"OK, and one more interesting ad, a business ad to "test your home for meth". At first, I thought it was a misprint and they meant test your home for MOLD, but the company name is "Trauma Clean Specialists"... So I am mystified... Another thing I've never heard of around here..."
You can test a home to see if it ever had meth in it since meth in the walls, flooring etc is dangerous to people - particularly children. Think lead-based paint times ten.
I've never been to Wyoming, and the relocation packets I have ordered are starting to arrive. I have a few questions about real estate descriptions that are not used down here in Texas (Houston). I've never seen two bedroom homes (unheard of in TX), and I'm still attempting to get my jaw off the floor at the unbelieveable prices! My house here in Houston looks like it would cost twice as much up there! Reading the ads makes me feel like I'm moving to another country. We don't have basements along the coast, so several questions refer to them...
What is a non-conforming bedroom?
What does an ad mean by "single level living" or "one level living"?
What is a "walk out basement"?
Several ads boast "central air". Do some houses not have A/C?
What is a "pellet fireplace" or "pellet insert"?
Several ads boast "steel siding" is this desirable? Never seen this in TX.
I see ads for "modular home on perm. foundataion" - is this a mobile home? Would these homes have less insulation and be expensive to heat in winter?
OK, and one more interesting ad, a business ad to "test your home for meth". At first, I thought it was a misprint and they meant test your home for MOLD, but the company name is "Trauma Clean Specialists"... So I am mystified... Another thing I've never heard of around here...
Thanks in advance for your answers!
Troy
- Yep, a non-conforming bedroom doesn't have a closet or access on the same floor to a bathroom.
-Single level/one level living is self-explanatory. The house is one floor.
-A walk-out basement is a home built on a slope where one enters at ground level the upper level from the front door, but the downstairs level is built into the slope and has doors that lead out to the backyard. So the house looks like a one-story from the front, but a two story from the back.
-Central Air advertising is standard in most newer homes, and it's simply stated as a plus. If it's not C/A, the description would normally say that too.
-A pellet stove or fireplace looks like a woodstove that sits on usually a brick platform or some other fireproof surface and it's cast steel or iron and has a metal flue that goes up through the ceiling. The pellets one buys at Home Depot or other supply stores and they're manufactured wooden pellets that look just like the pet food pellets one would buy in pet stores, but these are purposely made to burn in pellet stoves as they are condensed wood particles, burn very hot, and are excellent at heating a house. It's cheap too. People in cold climates often have pellet stoves for heating and because most put burners above the stove part, a lot of people keep a kettle of water hot at the same time. Pellet stoves are very common in the Midwest and cold winter states.
-Steel siding is looks just like regular permanent siding, but it is much sturdier, tougher, and better at insulating the house against winter elements, as well as resisting damage from hailstones, etc.
-A modular home is a manufactured home from a plant that is assembled on a cement or permanent foundation. They can look similar to mobile homes, and the better ones look almost like regular stick-built houses. They are usually cheaper to build as they are essentially a pre-fabricated kit. While they may be well insulated, I believe regular houses are better built.
-Meth testing is unfortunately becoming more common in rural areas as methamphetimine production is often rampant in rural areas and if a home has been used as a meth-lab, it's been contaminated and is now toxic and unfit for human habitation from the poisonous chemicals used to manufacture the meth drugs. So there are companies that will go out and test a particular client's home to certify it has not been a meth lab.
Location: Gillette, WY, Layton, UT, Alameda, CA, Fairfield, CA, Fort Collins, CO, Denver, CO, Chandler, AZ
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Modular home vs. Manufacturer Home
Modular homes are assembled at a factory usually in quality controlled enviroment then tranferred to homesite and slid off the frame onto a foundation either perimeter or pier systems. I been told through building inspectors that they are often built better than stick built homes.
Manufacturer Home are mobile homes built after a certain year to comply with National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act. They have a frame with wheels attached, but can be disassembled.
Mobile homes are built on a permanent chassis that cannot provide certification of compliance with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act.
Yes, Housing if very expensive in Wyoming, but are taxes are extremely low. An average house will probably have $800-$1000 in property tax in town and lower outside of town, no income tax, and one of the lowest sales tax depending on where you live.
1. Non-conforming bedroom - No closet or if in basement there is no egress window.
2. Single level living - No stairs. Everything on main level.
3. Walk-out basement - Exterior door in basement. Part of basement is "exposed". Daylight basement.
4. Central Air - most homes do not have air conditioning. Some in the southern part of the state do but it generally is not needed.
5. Pellet fireplace or pellet stove/insert - like a woodstove (for heat) but burns pellets made from wood. Some burn corn. Very energy efficient and put out lots of heat.
6. Steel siding - low maintenance. very common here.
7. Modular home on foundation - Probably is a manufactured home. A true modular is always on a foundation. Newer manufactured homes are very energy efficient. Good insulation and good windows.
8. "Meth test" - like the rest of the country WY has a problem with Meth. If you watch the news you'll hear about Meth in TX also.
Boy, are you in for a surprise!! I live in Wyoming, and winter in Texas (San Antonio). I am shocked that you think houses are less expensive here... I do not know what type of neighborhood you now live in, but comparitively, Wyoming homes are far more expensive! In San Antonio, you can build a 3 bedroom, 2bath, 2 car garage for about $275,000 Here, that would be $400,000, FOR EQUAL VALUE, ie, same type building materials. Mom built a 1400 sf home- nice, othing dramatic- no basement, 2 bed/2bath/small2cargarage last year- for $219,000 We are in a small town, of 5,000 population. You will find that utilities are much more expensive here, as there are far fewer people paying for services. I pay $24 a month for the electric just to be available-just power to the pole. In Texas, I can use central air, have ceiling fan on 24 hrs, tv on 24 hrs, in a 700sf condo, and my total electric bill is consistantly $31.00/month. Water is expensive in Wyoming. I have a well, but friends in town, (single people) each pay about $70/month. Heating in winter by propane, $200/month for a well insulated 1500 sf home. Food is a bit more up here. Fruit is much more expensive. And you won't find a Whole Foods store up here! Pay, up here is the second worse in the nation. I pay the same amount of proerty taxes on each of my homes. In Texas, I have a 77sf condo. In Wyoming, I have 20 acres, with nice home and small barn. Most homes here do not have central air.(boy, I sure would have loved it this summer!) The meth (drug) problem is getting bad, especially in rural areas, even in my small town. If a home has had meth contamination, it cannot be sold as is- it must be torn down (by people who are licensed in removing contamination). We are the same as Texas, as far as no income tax. Ilive in both places, and find Texas less expensive. Although, I have to board two horses in Texas, ans that is $500 per horse per month. I live rural, and have the horses here in Wyoming, and it costs me about $100 per horse per month with everything included- feed/farrier/vaccinations(I do my own vaccinations). Wyoming has the 2nd highest unemployment problem in the US. Montana is 1st. Just a few facts. Some things can be a bit different, depending on what city you want to livein. Do you have a job lined up? Let me know if I can help.
Boy, are you in for a surprise!! I live in Wyoming, and winter in Texas (San Antonio). I am shocked that you think houses are less expensive here... I do not know what type of neighborhood you now live in, but comparitively, Wyoming homes are far more expensive! In San Antonio, you can build a 3 bedroom, 2bath, 2 car garage for about $275,000 Here, that would be $400,000, FOR EQUAL VALUE, ie, same type building materials. Mom built a 1400 sf home- nice, othing dramatic- no basement, 2 bed/2bath/small2cargarage last year- for $219,000 We are in a small town, of 5,000 population. You will find that utilities are much more expensive here, as there are far fewer people paying for services. I pay $24 a month for the electric just to be available-just power to the pole. In Texas, I can use central air, have ceiling fan on 24 hrs, tv on 24 hrs, in a 700sf condo, and my total electric bill is consistantly $31.00/month. Water is expensive in Wyoming. I have a well, but friends in town, (single people) each pay about $70/month. Heating in winter by propane, $200/month for a well insulated 1500 sf home. Food is a bit more up here. Fruit is much more expensive. And you won't find a Whole Foods store up here! Pay, up here is the second worse in the nation. I pay the same amount of proerty taxes on each of my homes. In Texas, I have a 77sf condo. In Wyoming, I have 20 acres, with nice home and small barn. Most homes here do not have central air.(boy, I sure would have loved it this summer!) The meth (drug) problem is getting bad, especially in rural areas, even in my small town. If a home has had meth contamination, it cannot be sold as is- it must be torn down (by people who are licensed in removing contamination). We are the same as Texas, as far as no income tax. Ilive in both places, and find Texas less expensive. Although, I have to board two horses in Texas, ans that is $500 per horse per month. I live rural, and have the horses here in Wyoming, and it costs me about $100 per horse per month with everything included- feed/farrier/vaccinations(I do my own vaccinations). Wyoming has the 2nd highest unemployment problem in the US. Montana is 1st. Just a few facts. Some things can be a bit different, depending on what city you want to livein. Do you have a job lined up? Let me know if I can help.
There is a Whole Foods in Fort Collins. I don't know where you live that the pay is so bad as in most places in WY the pay is better than any other state. The average wage in Campbell County WY is $25.00/hr. Housing in general all over WY is more expensive than other places but as far as horses, etc. that depends on where in WY. Our house is all electric. Our highest bill was $180.00. We have 15 horses and 3 teenagers so we go through lots of water - both for the waterers (heated) for the horses and the washing machine, dryer, showers, dishwasher. Not to mention a/c or heat, tv, computer, lights.
Assuming you got the pictures I sent, some of your questions here can be answered/determined. and by looking at the picture of the cul-de-sac/picture of my home that you have. My home, along with the other two next to ours, (and which type of home is, mainly, what exists in Hanna), are;
Modular homes: Modular homes have been explained here already, so I won’t get into that again, but ours/all others were made, then brought into Hanna, and then placed upon basement/concrete-foundations. This is the first modular we’ve ever lived in, and I guess maybe because of the instillation of good windows, and sufficient insulation, it isn’t any more costly to heat than a traditionally-constructed home is. Also, and pertaining to at least our home, there’s nothing about it that would resemble/be comparable to, (visually/circumstance-wise), a mobile home/trailer.
Have walk-out basements: That’s what our home, (and the other two you can see in that picture, and most here in Hanna), have. The basement, (and ours consists of a family room, storage closet, and laundry room, with the single-car garage attached, but all homes would differ somewhat, pertaining to such an arrangement ), allows access outside, and is what this term refers to.
Central Air: Ours doesn’t have that, and I would assume since most homes here in Hanna were constructed when the mining boom occurred, (70’s-80’s), they didn’t have that feature installed. In our opinion, there are only a few days out of the Summer where we were actually wishing we had air-conditioning, (of any kind), but other than that, temperatures here really wouldn’t require such to be installed into homes. And most homes in Hanna anyway, (and going by only what I’ve heard from others here), are heated electrically, (heating comes from registers along the walls in the basement, and through installed heating units in the ceiling, in the upstairs).
Pellet Stove: Already been explained here, but just adding my two cents…… many of the homes we looked at before buying this one, (and in all of Carbon County), had pellet/electric-log stoves. What we saw most of the time, was these stoves serve as “inserts”, and which can be placed, (and were), into a home’s existing fireplace. It is just more cost-effective and energy-efficient to place these into fireplaces, and instead of heating/burning in the fireplace’s traditionally-known manner. However, not all are inserts, nor or all placed into fireplaces….they just can be if one chooses to do that, and pellet stoves are known to be a more cost effective way of heating, (at least, we‘ve been told that).
One last thing, and which I have no personal knowledge of, this is only an assumption of mine; realtors are required by law to tell their clients most existing circumstances about the homes they’re looking at/buying. Here in Wyoming, where the manufacturing of methamphetamines, infamously, takes place, I do imagine that realtors may use the term, “"test your home for meth", because if they are selling one where this illegal activity took place, they have to due to existing realtor laws, and or, they do this to reassure potential buyers they are looking out for their best interest by doing this. So I imagine wherever you read this/saw this term on an advertised piece of property, that realtor has such a, previously-used-for, property that he/she is selling, or, he/she does this for a buying-reassurance for their clients.
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For Troy
