House of Horrors, oops, HOARDERS

[JDgreen227]

Yesterday my brother and I went to look at a supposedly vacant 1898 built house that is for sale, it has a 3 acre lot, sellers are highly motivated. First and second floor living areas are reasonably unclutterd but the attic and basement are so jammed with stuff one has to watch so they don't trip. Attic is packed with old clothing, papers, toys, whatnot of all kinds, basement has stuff that must be from the 1950's or older, it would take me a solid month just to move all the debris out of the place then another to sort it out and junk or scrap it. I have never seen anything like this before. One pic shows house, two are the former owners basement workbench, and the last is maybe a percent of what is crammed into the attic.

How can people live like this??? Oops, one pic is of an old washing machine, not a workbench pic. No electricity there. Place is full of asbestos, mold, lead paint, no wonder nobody wants to buy it.

 

[GregbkH]

How can people live like this???

That looks like my brothers bedroom! I don't know how people can live like that.

 

[Duffster]

It doesn't look that bad.

Isn't that what attics and basements are for?

 

[JDgreen227]

It doesn't look that bad.

Isn't that what attics and basements are for?

I can see keeping stuff that is useful, BUT, who needs mouse shredded 1965 issues of Farm Journal magazine (attic) or 1975 vintage canned veggies?

 

[Duffster]

I can see keeping stuff that is useful, BUT, who needs mouse shredded 1965 issues of Farm Journal magazine (attic) or 1975 vintage canned veggies?

Canned veggies never go bad.

ps They are not that old.

To each their own JD. I think having pets in the house is disgusting. Especially multiple.

 

[MikeFarm]

Hiya

Think of it this way;
1. the more crap the less the amount the place is worth as you have to get rid of it - tell the agent that,
2. the more the crap the less other buyers there will be = less competition to push up the price,
3. it's like a lottery - if you buy the place then you get all this stuff and among it may be a few gems, a forgotten painting by Grant DeVolson Wood, a trunk full of silver dimes etc

Mike

 

[JDgreen227]

Hiya

Think of it this way;
1. the more crap the less the amount the place is worth as you have to get rid of it - tell the agent that,
2. the more the crap the less other buyers there will be = less competition to push up the price,
3. it's like a lottery - if you buy the place then you get all this stuff and among it may be a few gems, a forgotten painting by Grant DeVolson Wood, a trunk full of silver dimes etc

Mike

Wrote them an offer of 55 grand which was asking price...the lot is worth 35 grand in itself, super area and privacy with a pond. We will see....

 

[300UGUY]

If you wrote a offer for the asking price, you are probably gonna own it. Just think, all that crap will soon be all yours!!!

 

[jmurray01]

I wouldn't be able to step foot in there! If one book sticks out 1CM on my book shelf I have to go and sort it. Perfection is the only way for me, or near perfection at least - That is far from my comfort zone!

You didn't happen to see any Vacuum Cleaners down there though, did you ?

 

[jmurray01]

Wrote them an offer of 55 grand which was asking price...the lot is worth 35 grand in itself, super area and privacy with a pond. We will see....

So you are thinking of moving in there are you ?

 

[murphy1244]

Why pay asking price??? The house market here is waaaay down.:confused2:

 

[kiotiken]

Wrote them an offer of 55 grand which was asking price...the lot is worth 35 grand in itself, super area and privacy with a pond. We will see....

55 Grand!!! Geeeee's, I think I need to start looking at real estate south of the border. I doubt there's a listing within 100KM (60 miles) under 150K and the average detached house price is now $330K up here.

That's a nice place! If they do leave anything behind, it's really easy to clear out stuff that's not yours, just get a bin or two.

Any chance that was an old church? That was my first thought anyway? Good luck.

 

[Lloyd_E]

You may have some $$$ value in your finds. Remember you are looking at 114 years of history and a different way of life/thinking. We are a disposable society now. Back then everything had value and it paid to keep it and hopefully use it as compared to having to buy it. It looks like an interesting project. Good luck with it...

 

[slowzuki]

I don't understand, looks like everyones attic and basement?

 

[JDgreen227]

Why pay asking price??? The house market here is waaaay down.:confused2:

Should have said the figure was BANK's asking price. They have steadily reduced price over 2 1/2 year period after foreclosure. Appraisal says $92,000 valuation as-is. My brother recently retired and wants to move out of the city and his wife loves the Victorian style homes. I would help him buy it as he wants own it but has no real equity in his own home (3 kids in college).

Not my kind of house, the entire interior is plaster over lath, need to demolish ENTIRE interior, walls and ceilings and then insulate and drywall, and replace kitchen and bath. Needs all new plumbing and wiring (knob and tube now)

 

[JDgreen227]

I wouldn't be able to step foot in there! If one book sticks out 1CM on my book shelf I have to go and sort it. Perfection is the only way for me, or near perfection at least - That is far from my comfort zone!

You didn't happen to see any Vacuum Cleaners down there though, did you ?

SEVERAL!!!!

 

[jmurray01]

SEVERAL!!!!

Well, you buy that house Bill, and send me the Vacuum Cleaners! Free of charge of course

 

[RoyJackson]

It is a neat looking house to restore though. Assuming it's structurally sound and you don't mind the work that will be involved...might not be a bad deal.
Are you (or your brother) planning to live in the place?

 

[charlz]

Canned veggies never go bad.

On the other hand, looking at the house, would you want to eat food that was prepared there?

JDGreen227, looks like dust masks/respirators and gloves are in order before touching anything to avoid a nasty respiratory infection. I dunno if Hantavirus is that far north but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way.

Might be come cool old stuff in there though and I really like the looks of the outside, just needs some good landscaping. Maybe a little small? What is the square footage?

 

[RoyJackson]

BTW, is that a brick exterior?