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So much of this is not true. I have finished basements and attics.
The basement needs studs before drywall is added. You can't put drywall right on sandstone. You need to frame in walls all around. Heck, we even needed to frame before drywall in a concrete block house foundation we once owned. You shouldn't put drywall right up against a foundation of any kind without framing. And basements don't normally already have insulation for the walls, but it's wise to add insulation if you are finishing it to use as living space.
The attic already has exterior walls, studs and windows. It only needs drywall. No walls need to be removed in an attic of a four square. The insulation should already be there. If it isn't, it would need to be done anyway to make the house energy efficient.
You read way too much into my post-
And you're going disagree with someone who has built over 200 homes on basements and another oh say 300+ on slabs? Really?
Thanks for the detail. I know exactly what you are describing. I'll respond tomorrow morning when I have more time.
I had "hopes" that you would respond to this. I really like this house. And the more I think of it, the more I want to "take it under my wing" so no one rips out the built ins, stained glass and 30s 40s intact kitchen.
I had "hopes" that you would respond to this. I really like this house. And the more I think of it, the more I want to "take it under my wing" so no one rips out the built ins, stained glass and 30s 40s intact kitchen.
Sorry, I forgot to respond!
Quote:
Originally Posted by warren zee
The bathroom is between two upstairs bedrooms the ones that you face when you come upstairs. That would be pretty much over the Living room. Not a great place foe a half bath. The kitchen is small as it is and their is no laundry room. Typically around here the half bath would be in the laundry room. I know that may sound strange if you are not from PA. , but it's common here
From the real estate website link you provided, your house has an entrace on the side, not the center. Since your upstairs bathroom is between two rooms and above the living room, that means your stairwell has a landing, isn't a straight shot upsetairs. The top of your stairs is across from the bathroom. The livingroom is under the bathroom. That means the foyer is close to the bathroom above since it's right next to the livingroom. I'll bet there is room in the foyer to add a very small half bath. Another place you could add a half bath is on the back porch. That's a common half bath addition in my part of PA.
Quote:
Originally Posted by warren zee
What I can't understand is why the house was built with so much detail and ornamentation - the stained glass the staircase etc and only one bath. Many homes of this type have one and a half or even two baths.
Most of the early 1900s houses in my area weren't even built with any bathrooms. They were often added in later decades.
Quote:
Originally Posted by warren zee
The ceiling in the attic is high except around the eves. There are four dormers. The stair case to the attic is in the smallest bedroom which we'd use as a computer room/library guest room if we bought it.
You can definitely finish the attic. While it's a shame the stairwell is in a small bedroom, it will work out nicely if you use that bedroom as a common area room such as a library, computer room, small tv room, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by warren zee
The hardest thing remains the bathroom We would hate to see this original kitchen ripped out.
Not sure if it's original, but definitely keep it if you like it.
(Assuming that we are talking about the same house //www.city-data.com/forum/home-...-pictures.html)
It was sold for $22K just few months ago. Are you sure it does not have some hidden serious problems?? did you got an inspector to look at it?
I don't see anything special about the kitchen and if the house was build in 1920's - the kitchen is NOT original.
(Assuming that we are talking about the same house //www.city-data.com/forum/home-...-pictures.html)
It was sold for $22K just few months ago. Are you sure it does not have some hidden serious problems?? did you got an inspector to look at it?
It's a lower income area compared to the rest of the country) with higher unemployment than most of the state. It might have been bought as a foreclosure at 22k to flip around for a small profit. 50k is a reasonable price for that type of house not updated in that type of area. Of course, he should have an inspector look at it but the price alone isn't an indication something is wrong with it.
(Assuming that we are talking about the same house //www.city-data.com/forum/home-...-pictures.html)
It was sold for $22K just few months ago. Are you sure it does not have some hidden serious problems?? did you got an inspector to look at it?
I don't see anything special about the kitchen and if the house was build in 1920's - the kitchen is NOT original.
Same house. No problems. An investor bought it and is divesting.
We like the kitchen. Originally it also had an old five burner white stove. Someone must have tipped off the investor because he either sold it or kept it for himself.
From the real estate website link you provided, your house has an entrace on the side, not the center. Since your upstairs bathroom is between two rooms and above the living room, that means your stairwell has a landing, isn't a straight shot upsetairs. The top of your stairs is across from the bathroom. The livingroom is under the bathroom. That means the foyer is close to the bathroom above since it's right next to the livingroom. I'll bet there is room in the foyer to add a very small half bath. Another place you could add a half bath is on the back porch. That's a common half bath addition in my part of PA.
Most of the early 1900s houses in my area weren't even built with any bathrooms. They were often added in later decades.
You can definitely finish the attic. While it's a shame the stairwell is in a small bedroom, it will work out nicely if you use that bedroom as a common area room such as a library, computer room, small tv room, etc.
Not sure if it's original, but definitely keep it if you like it.
Now that I look at it, the door is not in the middle, it's to the right. Regarding the bathroom in the foyer, wouldn't it be expensive to do the piping from the foyer to the basement, although many people do have that 1/2 bath in the foyer.
Now that I look at it, the door is not in the middle, it's to the right. Regarding the bathroom in the foyer, wouldn't it be expensive to do the piping from the foyer to the basement...
The sewer shouldn't be too far away in the basement since the kitchen and bathroom plumbing are near the foyer. It will be easy to run plumbing in the basement since it won't require going through existing walls and ceilings. Get quotes from different contractors. Since you like the house so much, buy it with plans of adding the 1/2 bath sometime in the future, even if you can't do it right now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by warren zee
although many people do have that 1/2 bath in the foyer.
The very fact many people have the 1/2 bath there is a clue that it's the easiest place to add a 1/2 bath.
It's a lower income area compared to the rest of the country) with higher unemployment than most of the state. It might have been bought as a foreclosure at 22k to flip around for a small profit. 50k is a reasonable price for that type of house not updated in that type of area. Of course, he should have an inspector look at it but the price alone isn't an indication something is wrong with it.
We moved from Long Island, one of the highest income areas in the country with $20,000 taxes. We are college graduates. We moved because we liked the low prices of the homes and beautiful architecture in this area, although we have to send our children to private school. This part of the city were the house is located is near the historic area where coal barons lived. The area is an up and coming area. There are also great mountain views from the back upstairs porch.
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