All Forum Posts by: Danielle Fraser

@Troy Gandee Thank you for the reply!

I scheduled a free inspection with Massey now and will talk to them when they come to look at the property and discuss the option of a termite bond.

I also had a call with King street Agency to discuss home insurance and they explained me which coverage makes sense and also WHY (!) were very nice and gave me a quote which was priced appropriately.

I understand you are not allowed to answer regarding the 3rd section of my question asking about the offer and re-negotiation. That is very unfortunate...

But the second section should be fair to be discussed by anyone, or? Does anyone know whats the line between roommate and ADU? Based on the picture. Do you think this could be doable as initially described? Does anyone know what is allowed in Mount Plesant without needing ADU/HOA approval?

"4. The House has a FROG. My goal is to build another full bath right next to the water heater in the garage and enclose that. Add another door and add a sink and space for Fridge and pretty much have a separate unit within the house to be rented out. Charleston or Mount Pleasant seems to have very strict rules for ADUs. My idea was to not have a full stove to avoid having to go through ADU licensing process. Does anyone know if that works or is allowed?"

Thank you

Thank you very much @Troy Gandee & @John Semanchuk for the great insight!

The house inspector was speaking more generally and said that he has seen grown men crying about the damage termites can leave...

Yesterday we had the CL100 and unfortunately they found signs of previous termite damage and signs of treatment. Also some woodrot (but I already saw that during the walkthrough).

I don't really know what that means - how bad/costly is that? Can I still get a termite bond? What does a bond mean, is it like a insurance and if there is any damage they will fix it? Or will they not even offer a bond since there was prior damage?

Unfortunately my Realtor ordered the CL100 without consulting with me... with a company called Arrow, they also seem to offer bonds for 1300 USD initial fee.

I looked at terminix but see only subterrane termite protection. For the ultimate protection there is no price mentioned. Same for massey. Based on the prior conversation I think I would try to work with Massey. Would they offer a termite bond despite the prior termite damage?

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HOA seems to have rather strict rules. I think therefore the way with the "Roommate" would be the best option. Attached a picture of the kitchen with the way up to the Frog and into the Garage. Here is where I would like to try to separate the house from the Frog/roommate area and ideally still have one Garage and a little storage space. Based on the picture do y'all think its doable? Does anyone know where the line is between roommate and a separate unit?

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I'm starting to feel uneasy about this deal. They were asking for 375K and accepted 362K. I knew the roof was 20 years old and needs to be replaced within the next 1-3 years. AC disclosure read 10 years, but now seems to be original and now the termite thing which I really cant gauge...

+ We've been informed by the lender that the ex-wife of the seller is still on the deed and thus needs to sign but has refused for 2 weeks now. As the divorce settlement is through he is trying now to get the house deeded in his name.

I agreed to 362 as-is, but the CL100 and the incorrectly disclosed AC + contract holdup? Is that enough to ask for an additional discount?

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For the home insurance I still don't know what's appropriate for the dwelling coverage for a 360K property... Hurricane is included. I have now 6 different quotes and my question regarding the amount was answered 3 times by 'whatever you feel comfortable with'... Is there no rule of thumb? Anyone else have an opinion regarding Earthquake?

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For contractors and AC-guys I'll reach out to you Troy and John once I know more. 

Thanks everyone for the comments! 

Hi all,

I've been reading for a while and hope I have learned a lot over the past couple years. We are finally in the position to buy our first house in an area I really love. We have a house under contract and I'm quite happy. Its about 60K under the last 4 houses which sold in the neighborhood and also lowest price per square ft. Of course that does not come without downsides. Roof is original (1999) and the AC is 10 years old according to the disclosure, but has no serial or mfg-number. The air handler is from Carrier and still original. As is the water heater.  Of course we have a 1 year home warranty since also the kitchen appliances are about 5-10 years old. Inspection was today and he confirmed everything looks fine besides the 3 before mentioned items. I agreed to an as-is sale for 12.5K off the offer price. Now I get to the next steps and i have so many question...

1. Anyone an idea to determine AC age without manufacturer or model plate? Pictures see attached

2. I have never had a home insurance - what coverage do I need. Most policies come in at 225K dwelling coverage. Is that sufficient? Does anyone have a good website to get different quotes? Should I add earthquake?

3. My inspector highly suggested getting a termite bond - does anyone have recommendations in Charleston? If I do the CL100 with the same company could I then get the bond cheaper?

4. The House has a FROG. My goal is to build another full bath right next to the water heater in the garage and enclose that. Add another door and add a sink and space for Fridge and pretty much have a separate unit within the house to be rented out. Charleston or Mount Pleasant seems to have very strict rules for ADUs. My idea was to not have a full stove to avoid having to go through ADU licensing process. Does anyone know if that works or is allowed?

5. If I were to build a separate unit in the back, I would definitely need a license in Mount plesant - right? Anyone experience how much easier/harder that would be? 

6. HOA would also need to agree to this first, while I think they would not have a say it its inside my house?

7. Does anyone have suggestions for a contractor, who could replace carpet for laminate in 2 rooms + Frog and Stairs, Enclose and build shower, toilet and sink, add side door to garage and small window for bathroom, add another small sink for kitchenette and small contertop?

I'm sure there is more, but that's all i can think of right now.

Thanks!

Danielle 

Hi all,

I've been reading for a while and hope I have learned a lot over the past couple years. We are finally in the position to buy our first house in an area I really love. We have a house under contract and I'm quite happy. Its about 60K under the last 4 houses which sold in the neighborhood and also lowest price per square ft. Of course that does not come without downsides. Roof is original (1999) and the AC is 10 years old according to the disclosure, but has no serial or mfg-number. The air handler is from Carrier and still original. As is the water heater.  Of course we have a 1 year home warranty since also the kitchen appliances are about 5-10 years old. Inspection was today and he confirmed everything looks fine besides the 3 before mentioned items. I agreed to an as-is sale for 12.5K off the offer price. Now I get to the next steps and i have so many question...

1. Anyone an idea to determine AC age without manufacturer or model plate? Pictures see attached

2. I have never had a home insurance - what coverage do I need. Most policies come in at 225K dwelling coverage. Is that sufficient? Does anyone have a good website to get different quotes? Should I add earthquake?

3. My inspector highly suggested getting a termite bond - does anyone have recommendations in Charleston? If I do the CL100 with the same company could I then get the bond cheaper?

4. The House has a FROG. My goal is to build another full bath right next to the water heater in the garage and enclose that. Add another door and add a sink and space for Fridge and pretty much have a separate unit within the house to be rented out. Charleston or Mount Pleasant seems to have very strict rules for ADUs. My idea was to not have a full stove to avoid having to go through ADU licensing process. Does anyone know if that works or is allowed?

5. If I were to build a separate unit in the back, I would definitely need a license in Mount plesant - right? Anyone experience how much easier/harder that would be? 

6. HOA would also need to agree to this first, while I think they would not have a say it its inside my house?

7. Does anyone have suggestions for a contractor, who could replace carpet for laminate in 2 rooms + Frog and Stairs, Enclose and build shower, toilet and sink, add side door to garage and small window for bathroom, add another small sink for kitchenette and small contertop?

I'm sure there is more, but that's all i can think of right now.

Thanks!

Danielle