All Forum Posts by: Melissa Weller

@Brian Pulaski, Thank you for sharing your experience. It's helpful to know that this is a common renovation. We do plan to investigate what is above that opening. Thanks!

@Shawn Clark, I would be the buyer. The inspection was done for me. I was surprised the inspector didn't elaborate, but the inspection report was full of disclaimers and legalese re: what he could and could not say. Given he's not an engineer, it appears he wasn't allowed to say more than he did. Thanks for your insights!

@Patrick Liska, Thanks! Your conceptualization of how the house is laid out is correct. I plan to go back in the attic to do more research. I'll check if the joists run complete from front to back or if they join in the center. We will likely add a supporting beam given what I've since learned and others' input and knowledge.

@Mike Reynolds, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. We probably will have a beam added after hearing from the BP community and doing my own research. I appreciate your help--thanks!

@Mark Holencik Thank you! The wall on the left in the 2nd picture IS the exterior wall. Would you mind explaining why that means the "missing" wall is non load bearing?

 Unfortunately there's no basement and there's no access to/no crawl space.

@Tyler Resnick, Thanks for explaining the basics. I appreciate it! I'll have to go back in with a level to double check, but I didn't see any obvious bowing or sagging. The trusses run perpendicular to the wall that was removed, so it's possible it's weight-bearing. Good assumption on the single-story house. :) 

@Clancy Catelli, I can't access the crawl space. Looks like I need to go in the attic! Thanks!

@Mike Reynolds, Thank you, too, for explaining the basics. I'm trying to sort out rafters, trusses, joists, etc. You're right that it's less than 40' across and there is no 2nd floor. I need to go back in the attic now that I kind of know what I'm looking for. I will also measure that "beam" to confirm or disconfirm your suspicion. 

Here are some other pictures if that's helpful. 1st: Outside the home. If we had xray vision, and looking at the left side of the home, we'd be staring straight at the missing wall in my original post. So, the left wall in the 2nd picture is the gable end of the roof. The 3rd picture is of the attic, although without more context, idk if it's helpful. Thank you again for your explanations and thoughts. I really appreciate it. I'm quite humbled/embarrassed to have so little knowledge about construction, but I have to start somewhere.

Excellent point that the picture was really too small for anyone to evaluate the situation. I am so new to real estate and construction, that I didn't know what would have been helpful to post. I'm learning a lot from reading others' advice. Thanks!

New to real estate. Reviewing my inspection report. How can I find out if this is a load-bearing wall? I looked at our city's website for construction permits and didn't find anything re: this wall removal.

Thank you!!