All Forum Posts by: Dave Phillips

From talking to the guys at the planning dept you don't need an engineer's report to build on these houses.

They were all built at the same time in the same way so maybe they have enough data now? I also heard from a builder/renovator that works in the neighborhood and they said that 2 stories is no problem and even 3 should be okay.

I thought I read that the seller has too be honest in letting you know if there might be a problem with your intended use if they know what it is.

They didn't tell me about the engineer's report until closing had already happened and I took the wall down. That's why I am wondering if I might have a case.

Yes this is the same wall, I don't know if the other walls have problems or not at this point.

assuming I do need another engineer to look at this.

Would there be any possibility of going after the seller for that cost?

The seller was aware that I wanted to add a second story.

I know if the repair hadn't been done it would be classified as a "latent defect" but I am not sure of the situation if the crack has been repaired.

Do they no longer need to disclose it?

The rules are probably different everywhere I guess.

i forgot to add that the engineer also inspected the wood walls on the main floor and found "no significant deficiencies"

Hi Jon

You would get "another" engineer?

The engineers report seems pretty thorough, it just doesn't specifically say whether or not I can put on a second story.

I purchased a house in Edmonton that has a horizontal crack the entire length of one wall as well as at least one vertical crack.

The work has been repaired but the seller never disclosed that the crack was there until after I ripped down some of the drywall and exposed the cracks.

There is an engineers report that says that the wall has been repaired and has been restored to "structural adequacy".

They installed an interior shoring wall of pressure treated 2x6's with staggered pressure treated blocking that is tied to the floor as well as the joists.

I purchased the house with the intention of adding a second story.

I am wondering if it will support the second story or whether there is more that I should do before I start building.

The original foundations in the area are such that they should support a 2.5 or 3 story house without issue.

Hi Paul,

I will have a look.

Currently I am focusing on the Edmonton market until I get a better feel for things so I can be hands-on if need be.

Thanks Roy,

I found the same thing, primarily US but quite a few Canadians that seem willing to help out.

When I have some specific questions I will definitely be posting.

Hi David,

Thanks for the welcome. :-)

Yeah Edmonton is pretty nice, except of course when it's -40C.

I have been debating it back and forth ever since we had the offer accepted on the new place.

Any good points you can give me to sell it so I can stop arguing with myself?

Hi everyone,

My name is Dave and I am just starting out in real estate investing.

The forums here look to be a goldmine of information that I hope to take advantage of and maybe be able to contribute at some point in the future.

I am currently looking into multi-family housing with some partners as well as having just bought a new house.

The current internal debate I have is whether to keep the old house(paid off) and rent it out or sell the old place and pay off the new one potentially freeing up more money for multi-family properties.

Thanks

Dave