All Forum Posts by: Daniel Cullen

Absolutely impossible to say without having a knowledgeable contractor come out for an estimate. You may very well need to replace the entire underground sewer lateral, new copper water service, and have concrete bench footings installed for foundation support. Those items alone could cost $35k. I think your price range is pretty accurate with the lower estimate for a simple bsmnt reno that doesn't require digging down to achieve adequate ceiling height and the higher estimate for digging down, new sewer lines, walk-out bsmnt. door, bench footings, etc. 

I don't know if it's zoned appropriately or what it's legal status is but that attic looks like a 'one way out' death trap. The listing agent has been working in the city for many years so it's hard to believe he took such crappy photos. Just looking at those listing photos is depressing; the nasty old painted trim, deteriorated finishes, tiny cramped bedrooms....ugh! 

I live in Brookfield IL Chris and in addition to owning multiple properties in the city proper and the western 'burbs I am a 20+ year veteran of the home inspection industry. I'd be happy to help you with your search in any way I can. 

Hi Brian....I've been a home inspector for over 20 years working exclusively in the Chicago area. I also own multiple rental properties. I've used Michelle Laiss for a half dozen or more of my own closings and both she and her team are the best. 

https://www.mlaisslaw.com/

The horse has already left the barn obviously but this is the exact reason why I got rid of the 4 electric water heaters in my Bucktown multi and installed a high-efficiency gas water heater in the basement. A water heater is a time bomb and if it's installed without a drain pan under it then the fuse is lit and it's ready to blow. 

I'd love to see a breakdown of the numbers. Is any of the 'profit' eaten up by repairs, assessments, R.E. taxes, income taxes, etc. or is it free and clear? 

Hi JJ.....I regularly poke around the Redfin website out of curiosity more than a desire to buy anything and I've noticed that the properties in Crete and Steger appear to be very reasonably priced for a pretty solid working class suburb. If you go out and start actively looking at properties feel free to take a slew of photos, upload them to dropbox, and send me a link.....I'd be happy to go over the photos with you to help you better understand the condition of the property. Best of luck in your search! 

A couple of thoughts from a curmudgeonly old home inspector re Redfin and R.E. sales in general. 

1) Judging from your excessive use of exclamation marks you're a natural for real estate sales!!!!  Just teasing KFJ.

2) Redfin agents should, in general, be working with buyers who are doing their own due diligence and who are super savvy. Since as a Redfin agent you are more or less on call for showings and inspections the buyer may deal with a slew of different Redfin peeps during the course of their home search/purchase process and that 'cradle to grave' experience and helicoptering that is typical of many buyer's agents is not really the Redfin model. 

3) I have worked with Redfin agents since pretty much the first day they showed up in Chicago from Seattle. They started out all touch-feely NW coast grungy and have over the last 10 years or so morphed into just another dog eat dog R.E. company. The agents like to stick their noses in the inspector's business and refuse to 'stay in their lane' during and after the inspection just like so many other control freak Realtors(tm)!!!!!

4) As far as the fantasy about 'setting your own hours'....good luck with that. You have to be ready to show up when the buyer needs you although, if you're not very concerned with keeping busy, you can just set hours and hope that they get filled. 

5) I really wish you the best of luck in your new career and please ignore my cynicism....you'll do great! 

Hi Alana....you haven't posted enough information to provide for a decent answer. How do you know the floor tiles are Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBM)? Just by their size? Not all 9x9 or 8x8 tiles are ACBM. What form is the suspected ACBM on the furnace? Please ignore folks who just blast out opinions that minimize the potential hazards. Talk is cheap and you are the one holding the bag....not them. I would not rush out and hire a remediator either. If you send me some photos of the suspected areas I'd be happy to help you out as best I can. 

Did you get a quote from RePipe Specialists? I might wait until the picture becomes clearer regarding the city's newly liberalized building code which will apparently allow the use of CPVC and/or PEX water supply piping. You'll save a ton of dough if it gets approved.