What could go wrong with a vacant house?

IslandTractor · Jun 5, 2006

I have a summer home that sat vacant for 20 years. It needed a lot of updating but no major structural repairs other than what would have been needed over 20 years in an occupied home. So long as it was properly "shut down" (water, windows etc) and has not had any major roof leaks during vacancy or been vandalized, it should be fine.

IslandTractor · Jun 5, 2006

I have a summer home that sat vacant for 20 years. It needed a lot of updating but no major structural repairs other than what would have been needed over 20 years in an occupied home. So long as it was properly "shut down" (water, windows etc) and has not had any major roof leaks during vacancy or been vandalized, it should be fine.

Cliff_Johns · Jun 5, 2006

I would think varments would be the biggest problem. If cats or rats or pidgeons raccoons etc have moved in, the smell may be very hard to get rid of.

Cliff

Cliff_Johns · Jun 5, 2006

I would think varments would be the biggest problem. If cats or rats or pidgeons raccoons etc have moved in, the smell may be very hard to get rid of.

Cliff

JimR · Jun 5, 2006

Plumbing, heating, mold and critters would be what I would look for as for the fixing. My in laws old place has been vacant for longer than that without any serious problems. My mothers house was empty for 6 years before he finally got the papers straightened out on that. My sisiter lives there now. Only the plumbing failed while the house was empty. That was due to water freezing in the pipes.

JimR · Jun 5, 2006

Plumbing, heating, mold and critters would be what I would look for as for the fixing. My in laws old place has been vacant for longer than that without any serious problems. My mothers house was empty for 6 years before he finally got the papers straightened out on that. My sisiter lives there now. Only the plumbing failed while the house was empty. That was due to water freezing in the pipes.

Doc_Bob · Jun 5, 2006

I bought my place at Sheriff’s auction. Had been empty for almost 2 years. No animals, just the smell from the 50 cats that had lived in the place for 10 years with the previous owner. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (I love cats, so cat lovers don't give me any hassle)

I did a low cost remodel. Replaced all the carpet, washed all the walls, primed and painted everything.

My wife refused to ever live here when we first got in. With all the fixing up (sweat equity) she refuses to live anywhere else.

Best house I have ever owned. My wife loves the house and I love the 15 acres!
Bob

Doc_Bob · Jun 5, 2006

I bought my place at Sheriff’s auction. Had been empty for almost 2 years. No animals, just the smell from the 50 cats that had lived in the place for 10 years with the previous owner. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (I love cats, so cat lovers don't give me any hassle)

I did a low cost remodel. Replaced all the carpet, washed all the walls, primed and painted everything.

My wife refused to ever live here when we first got in. With all the fixing up (sweat equity) she refuses to live anywhere else.

Best house I have ever owned. My wife loves the house and I love the 15 acres!
Bob

NY_Yankees_Fan · Jun 6, 2006

( sat vacant for 3-4 years. Taxes owing add up to $1800,)

WOW I pay that every 2 months to the tax man for property taxes in NJ, with no ocean view. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

How hard is it for a US citizen to retire to Canada? We love PEI!, got to check this out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

NY_Yankees_Fan · Jun 6, 2006

( sat vacant for 3-4 years. Taxes owing add up to $1800,)

WOW I pay that every 2 months to the tax man for property taxes in NJ, with no ocean view. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

How hard is it for a US citizen to retire to Canada? We love PEI!, got to check this out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif