Tell me about ...

[Jakabella]

I would definatly get a building inspection done - no matter what house you look at. I know way to many people that have not and have paid dearly.

Renovating is ok - we bought and old house and we have done a bit - but its not as easy and dreamy as we first though. Its fun for a while but if there is to much it takes its toll on you in many ways.

If the structure is sound then thats a good starting point.
Good luck!

[misty]

My advice: DO NOT TOUCH WITH A TEN FOOT POLE.

The problem with termite damage is that if you can see any damage, there it is mostly likely only 5-10% of the actual damage. Unless they have competely stripped back ALL the plaster board and floorboards and carpets and tiles, etc to check under each and every surface, then chances are that there has been further damage which has gone unnoticed and thus unfixed. Worst case senario, you may be doing a complete strip out of the entire house and then rebuilding.

Building and pest inspections are all good and fine, but talk to your pest guy before you even consider putting an offer in. Often they will simply put in a general, "there is evidence of previous temite activity" to cover themselves regardless - but unless they have striped back everysurface they are not going to be able to 1) see if there is any 'current' activity or b) if there is and unseen structural damage which has been caused by the termites.

If I were looking at a place with termite damage (unless is was extremely old damage) I would not be willing to settle for any more then land value. It can be a bit like buying a 'burnt out house' only you cann't nessecarily 'see' the damage.

If the person is discounting their property by so much, then that rings alarm bells in my mind. It means to me that they have likely already looked into the costs to 'fix' this problem and have found it better to take a loss on their property instead. Such a substantial loss suggests at least an equally substantial cost to fix, if not more.

[melbel]

My advice: DO NOT TOUCH WITH A TEN FOOT POLE.

The problem with termite damage is that if you can see any damage, there it is mostly likely only 5-10% of the actual damage. Unless they have competely stripped back ALL the plaster board and floorboards and carpets and tiles, etc to check under each and every surface, then chances are that there has been further damage which has gone unnoticed and thus unfixed. Worst case senario, you may be doing a complete strip out of the entire house and then rebuilding.

Building and pest inspections are all good and fine, but talk to your pest guy before you even consider putting an offer in. Often they will simply put in a general, "there is evidence of previous temite activity" to cover themselves regardless - but unless they have striped back everysurface they are not going to be able to 1) see if there is any 'current' activity or b) if there is and unseen structural damage which has been caused by the termites.

If I were looking at a place with termite damage (unless is was extremely old damage) I would not be willing to settle for any more then land value. It can be a bit like buying a 'burnt out house' only you cann't nessecarily 'see' the damage.

If the person is discounting their property by so much, then that rings alarm bells in my mind. It means to me that they have likely already looked into the costs to 'fix' this problem and have found it better to take a loss on their property instead. Such a substantial loss suggests at least an equally substantial cost to fix, if not more.

It's like an iceberg, only the top 5-10% is visible...the termites have come on from the ground so have had to eat ther way into the house to get to the softwood to start with.......there will guaranteed be sp much more work to do than you think, just not worth it and the stress of it all as well....renovating is one thing but more than likely a house like this would need major work before you could even move in....

[Indadhanu]

Probably why its so cheap I guess? Wish I could get some magical termite goggles and see everything!