All Forum Posts by: Charlie DiLisio

Hi Tony, if I were you I would check with the local building department about the requirements.  I have done it down here in south Florida with wire lath and stucco but the codes have all changed since then.  I know they won't allow you to remove the shingles yourself because of the toxic material and the strict regulations here for the disposal of it.  I know down here you don't want to get caught removing it.   I'm sure covering it over is the least expensive way to go.  Good luck.

You can take out the top part of the wall dividing the kitchen and living room.  Cabinets under countertop and leave both sides for some cabinets and over the island/pass thru 12 or 18 inch cabinets across the top on the inside of the kitchen for storage space.  Kind of like a picture window effect for open feeling at least 6 ft. wide.  Hope you understand the concept.  The room didn't look wide enough for the island in the middle.  Send pics when you decide.   Looks like a great house.  All the best.

Michael, do you have a friendly title search person who can do a quick search 4 building violations.   you can also go to the building department and they will run the property for free and give you a list of them.  with the new requirements in place since the hurricanes the code has gotten much more difficult if you have to pull permits to get the improvements qualified.  I agree to go by the legal description for your offer.  Good luck.

It is a valid issue depending on the flooring you put over it.  Check on the lumber liquidators website for the requirements on the gypcrete for wood flooring.  I know it should not be used for nailed down floors because of its composition.  I would check on it there and you may have to take some out to investigate the condition of the sub-floor.  Good luck and I hope it is just in those few places.  Should be ok for floating flooring.  Down here if Florida we use cork or denshield and have never had any problems as a sound barrier or tile installations.  

You didn't say if he is your friend as well as your contractor.  I do most of my flips with my own crew and call all the shots as necessary.  I do use an electrical contractor and plumber but usually the same ones because of long standing relationships.  The scope of work is what determines what they are doing and how much it will cost.  Naturally things come up and may need to be addressed but that is the cost of business.  Most contractors who have been in business for awhile and have a good reputation have a duty to inform you of problems that may need to be addressed but I have met some who have a conflict of interest since the money they make is determined by the cost of the job.  It sounds to me like you are being taken advantage of but just my gut reaction.  Use another contractor on your next project and it will be obvious of the quality of work and price point you are paying.  The other option is to have a sit down with him and tell him how your feel and see what happens.  Business is business.  Good luck.

Yes usually they have promotions that will go up to 95 or 100% value. I use Navy Federal Credit Union. They are a bit slow in processing but very military friendly. I also use USAA but NFCU works with me best. For a new VA loan recently I uses IFREEDOM which does Va's loans and they were a bit less costly. They were awesome and kept in touch constantly to get the loan done.

When you use it again there is a fee now to use it again. I think about 3500.00 but to me it is well worth it not to have the PMI and its still zero down. They will roll in the cost of using the loan again. I have used mine 3 times to date and you can buy a multi-family if you occupy one of the units. Good luck and thank you for your service.

Just my two cents but I always do the inside first.  Anything can happen with a flip but if the inside is completed you have the option of renting it out, selling as is etc. Unless of course the outside is damaged and can cause problems to the structure such as roofing leaks, etc.  Good luck!

Im doing the same thing here in south Florida.  my rehab is built in the 60's and is cast iron also.  When cutting thru the floor for adding a second bathroom I exposed the pipe and it was cracked and corroded.  I dug it out to the outside of the house and exposed all the bad pipe.  about 30 feet and will be replacing it with PVC on Monday.  actually glad it happened so I could correct it before everything was finished because I dont have a crawl space.  It will not get better only worse.  Good luck.  

You didn't mention the roof Nancy.  Typically when a house is framed it is closed in (or dryed in) so he elements won't deteriorate the interior.  The first thing to do is contact the city and find out what happened if it's been halted for a few years.  I'm guessing he didn't get a C.O. for it which would have tested all the electrical and plumbing components of the house.  If he still has a temporary power pole up it can be tested.  I personally wouldn't even attempt it unless the city and an engineer signed off on it.  Too many variables to mention.  Good luck and let us know how you proceed on it.