Looking at duplexes to owner occupy for my first home. Saw one today and it was pretty great all around: Great area, two units (3br/1b each), off-street parking, dry and well maintained basement, minor cosmetic work.
However, I saw that the top porch was sagging (as most of these homes do over time), but where the porch meets the house, it was pulling apart. Down on the first level porch, it was kind of pulling apart as well. I'm not even sure, based on how it looked, that the porch was even attached to the house. A co-worker said it may not even by the same structural unit, and it's own structure all together.
My realtor and father said this is a big deal. It will cost a lot money and the process of "Jacking up a porch" could cause other areas of the house to shift.
But otherwise, the house is great, and for a competitive price. And my criteria really restricts the inventory (only duplexes in a 10 mile radius doesn't leave me with much). Is this really a big deal? Should I run from the house? What's the cost range? I have pictures I can upload if need be.
However, I saw that the top porch was sagging (as most of these homes do over time), but where the porch meets the house, it was pulling apart. Down on the first level porch, it was kind of pulling apart as well. I'm not even sure, based on how it looked, that the porch was even attached to the house. A co-worker said it may not even by the same structural unit, and it's own structure all together.
My realtor and father said this is a big deal. It will cost a lot money and the process of "Jacking up a porch" could cause other areas of the house to shift.
But otherwise, the house is great, and for a competitive price. And my criteria really restricts the inventory (only duplexes in a 10 mile radius doesn't leave me with much). Is this really a big deal? Should I run from the house? What's the cost range? I have pictures I can upload if need be.
