What could go wrong with a vacant house?

NSBound · Jun 6, 2006

Jim, I think that boat would look right at home in the harbour! Can you live with tides every day? You have to time your trips out or you walk home /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Guns? Well, that's likely a different story up here than where you are. Hand guns, totally forbidden. Rifles, right now we have a National Registry, but that's likely to be dismantled by the new government. And sure, hunters have guns for hunting. Now, I'm not a hunter or a gun person, but I'm sure others here would say we're a lot more conservative about guns than y'all. They are generally not carried in vehicles and for sure not on your person, unless you're on a hunting trip.

NSBound · Jun 6, 2006

Jim, I think that boat would look right at home in the harbour! Can you live with tides every day? You have to time your trips out or you walk home /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Guns? Well, that's likely a different story up here than where you are. Hand guns, totally forbidden. Rifles, right now we have a National Registry, but that's likely to be dismantled by the new government. And sure, hunters have guns for hunting. Now, I'm not a hunter or a gun person, but I'm sure others here would say we're a lot more conservative about guns than y'all. They are generally not carried in vehicles and for sure not on your person, unless you're on a hunting trip.

JimR · Jun 6, 2006

I'd probably never be allowed to move my collection north of the border. It is nice country up there. I've been up there quite a few times over the years. We've been up to Fundy National Park many times, Moncton, St John's, P.E.I., Fort Louisburg, Halifax, Dibgy, Cape Bretton Island and drove all the way around Nova Scotia.

JimR · Jun 6, 2006

I'd probably never be allowed to move my collection north of the border. It is nice country up there. I've been up there quite a few times over the years. We've been up to Fundy National Park many times, Moncton, St John's, P.E.I., Fort Louisburg, Halifax, Dibgy, Cape Bretton Island and drove all the way around Nova Scotia.

Rob_H · Jun 6, 2006

Hey NS Bound - what a house and what a piece of property!

We bought and OLD house (1767 / 1851) that had been abandoned for seven years. The issues were with the roof - failed flashing around both chimneys. And with the water - not properly "shut down" - frozen / split pipes in several locations, rusted out hot water heater, rusted out pressure tank for the pump, and a broken casting on the pump due to freezing with water in it.

Additionally, the electrical panel had some serious corrosion issues - but then we had a dirt floor in the basement with lots of water at certain times of the year. The furnace had corroded contacts, and a bad transformer.

About $1,700 for a new electrical service and panel, $1,800 for the pressure tank and pump repairs. I did the copper plumbing repairs so $15 for parts. Hot water heater was about $800 - 80 gallon electric, since we have no gas. The other issue was the oil tank for the furnace - we had 70 gallons pumped out, the remainder tested (I don't know what they did, but they said it was fine to use), and topped off with fresh oil. Pumping and disposing of oil is expensive - about $4 / gallon. Furnace repairs were about $400 if I remember correctly. All told less than $5,000 to get it all up and running again.

Then the renovation began...four years and counting.

There were no problems with critters in the house. My guess is if there isn't anything to eat, the critters don't stay - who knows.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

Rob H.

Rob_H · Jun 6, 2006

Hey NS Bound - what a house and what a piece of property!

We bought and OLD house (1767 / 1851) that had been abandoned for seven years. The issues were with the roof - failed flashing around both chimneys. And with the water - not properly "shut down" - frozen / split pipes in several locations, rusted out hot water heater, rusted out pressure tank for the pump, and a broken casting on the pump due to freezing with water in it.

Additionally, the electrical panel had some serious corrosion issues - but then we had a dirt floor in the basement with lots of water at certain times of the year. The furnace had corroded contacts, and a bad transformer.

About $1,700 for a new electrical service and panel, $1,800 for the pressure tank and pump repairs. I did the copper plumbing repairs so $15 for parts. Hot water heater was about $800 - 80 gallon electric, since we have no gas. The other issue was the oil tank for the furnace - we had 70 gallons pumped out, the remainder tested (I don't know what they did, but they said it was fine to use), and topped off with fresh oil. Pumping and disposing of oil is expensive - about $4 / gallon. Furnace repairs were about $400 if I remember correctly. All told less than $5,000 to get it all up and running again.

Then the renovation began...four years and counting.

There were no problems with critters in the house. My guess is if there isn't anything to eat, the critters don't stay - who knows.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

Rob H.

NSBound · Jun 7, 2006

Thanks, Rob, that will give me more definite things to be looking for. I'll report back next week on the sale results. Unfortunately, there will still be a 6-month wait, by the local rules, for any existing owners to bring their tax account up to date. In the meantime, nobody has access and you can't even go inside to inspect as it officially is still owned either by the prior owners, or their estate, until title changes hands /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

NSBound · Jun 7, 2006

Thanks, Rob, that will give me more definite things to be looking for. I'll report back next week on the sale results. Unfortunately, there will still be a 6-month wait, by the local rules, for any existing owners to bring their tax account up to date. In the meantime, nobody has access and you can't even go inside to inspect as it officially is still owned either by the prior owners, or their estate, until title changes hands /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Lloyd_E · Jun 7, 2006

Hey NY,

Why PEI? (They have the best OYSTERS!!!) It's a wonderful province - spent lots of time there. On my shore the tide change is less plus the water is clearer and the beaches are sand not mud...but of course you have to be a polar bear to enter the waters. Alot warmer on PEI...

best,

lloyd

Lloyd_E · Jun 7, 2006

Hey NY,

Why PEI? (They have the best OYSTERS!!!) It's a wonderful province - spent lots of time there. On my shore the tide change is less plus the water is clearer and the beaches are sand not mud...but of course you have to be a polar bear to enter the waters. Alot warmer on PEI...

best,

lloyd