Buying a home in Levittown (Hope: for sale, real estate, schools)

[mikenbacismama]

My husband and I are looking at homes in several areas, with Levittown being one. We have come across one that seems very nice, but have two major concerns:

1. It seems there's an overabundance of homes for sale in Levittown as compared to other towns. Any thoughts on why?

2. We are concerned about addressing potential plumbing issues since they are built on a slab. Can anyone tell me if the plumbing is easily accessible?

Any other concerns we should have?

TIA

[hotkarl]

Levittown always has stock on the market, that's not a big deal and really doesn't indicate anything "bad".

The plumbing, if original, is in the slab. Yeah.
Factor a replumb into the sale price or any renovation cost.

Levittown is an ok community. Ok schools.
It's not bad, it's not great. It's ok and fine to live there and own a home.

Have a home inspection done.

[lifetimeliguy]

those homes were built between 1947-1950 so by now the heating pipes originally in the slab were probably replaced by baseboard heating. the original Levitt home had no water main shutoff valve in the house either. As mentioned check it out.
one plus of living in Levittown is the town pools available to homeowners.

[peabodyn]

The Levitt homes are fine but quirky.

Fireplace in middle of home with furnace right next to it (unless it has been moved to a room in back of the added garage).

The water main shut off is usually under the kitchen sink.

The circuit breaker panel is usually in the bedroom closet.

No basement, buried oil tank (unless it has been moved).

The added garage may have been compromised with an internal "bump out" to fit the refrigerator.

For the area, the real estate taxes are on the high side (in my opinion).

The community is solid, few trying to "keep up / or out do the Jones'", decent schools, but kinda of far to the LIRR station.

[ralphfr]

If the home has already been converted to baseboards then the only plumbing not accessible is where the heating pipes had to be run in the slab to get to the baseboard. That would be in front of the stairs. One goes into the kitchen left of the front door and the other goes right along the front door. Of course if any other doors have been added then there will be pipe are under the slab there also.The heating system is under the stairs and there is an alleyway between the kitchen and bath for the drains and water runs. They can be accessed behind the kitchen counter. Good luck.

[mikenbacismama]

Thank you all for your comments, they will be very helpful!

[Kbinspections]

Originally Posted by peabodyn

The Levitt homes are fine but quirky.

Fireplace in middle of home with furnace right next to it (unless it has been moved to a room in back of the added garage).

The water main shut off is usually under the kitchen sink.

The circuit breaker panel is usually in the bedroom closet.

No basement, buried oil tank (unless it has been moved).

The added garage may have been compromised with an internal "bump out" to fit the refrigerator.

For the area, the real estate taxes are on the high side (in my opinion).

The community is solid, few trying to "keep up / or out do the Jones'", decent schools, but kinda of far to the LIRR station.

The info above is almost spot on. there are different models so things are slightly different.

Water main shutoff is typically in kitchen or adjacent bathroom (common wall). Sometimes its under stairs, behind boiler.

Panel should be moved out of closet, sometimes its in kitchen (depend on model).

All had buried oil tanks, make sure to get a certificate of abandonment from seller.

Relocation of boilers and above ground oil tanks can be an issue. Space may be tight in some models for hot water storage tank.

Water damage on exterior wall of bathroom, some models.

TERMITES, every common!

Best of luck!

[ralphfr]

Originally Posted by Kbinspections

The info above is almost spot on. there are different models so things are slightly different.

Water main shutoff is typically in kitchen or adjacent bathroom (common wall). Sometimes its under stairs, behind boiler.

Panel should be moved out of closet, sometimes its in kitchen (depend on model).

All had buried oil tanks, make sure to get a certificate of abandonment from seller.

Relocation of boilers and above ground oil tanks can be an issue. Space may be tight in some models for hot water storage tank.

Water damage on exterior wall of bathroom, some models.

TERMITES, every common!

Best of luck!

Yes. If the OP is looking at a ranch style. Not a cape.

[mikenbacismama]

Originally Posted by ralphfr

Yes. If the OP is looking at a ranch style. Not a cape.

Yes, we plan on looking at a couple of properties in Levittown, and both are capes. Do the structural elements differ much between the ranches and capes?

Thanks.

[woody516]

Hope you're happy there.... I just wish they'd change the name of the town... I have so many negative connotations to "Levittown."