Thought I would post these pics for discussion. When I pulled up, I was like WTF am I in for with this house:shock:!?
Just needs some caulk.
That would have pretty much ended the inspection for me…
Don’t really know if it needs caulk or a bull dozer.
Let us in on what you found wrong structurally.
I agree with Jeffrey!
Walk away and don’t look back.
Yes that is even better! It just makes the Real Estate Agents chase you though. LOL
When it’s that obvious, it’s easier. 
Challenging. :)
Thin brick installed in an unorthodox way.
Porch might be moving. :mrgreen:
Joe you about made me choke on my pretzel 
To funny.
Refer them to a foundation contractor.
Billy, I once had a friend that hired me. He wanted to know if he should buy the house. I told him it was illegal for me to advise him in that regard. I included the photo of Forrest at the bottom of the email and he got the message.
John,
It appears from the pictures there is a badly rusted steel lintel over that window that has expanded due to rust. The front porch is most likely sloped to the front allowing all the water to run down over that lintel. See the following article: http://www.pioneermasonry.com/resources/Oxide%20Jacking.pdf
Yes I agree. I will post pics on the inside tomorrow. I have them on my laptop. The buyers currently live in the house and are buying it from another family member. It has been in the family since 1903.
John did you place your level on the porches landing to see which way the water ran? 1/4 inch a foot of run is a norm in my opinion.
I suspect the main structure and poach walls are double wythe brick.
Look under the open doorway on the balcony, upper porch.
Shhh… do not tell any one but arched doorways and window headers and closers (locks) WILL HELP ONE DETERMINE WYTHE. Even then its SUSPECT with me.
Lot and grounds.
Planting in close proximity to the building.
Snow in contact with the window,sill and structure,
The conductivity of materials too temperature, the Snow-ice mass load lateral and vertical forces on engineered materials/structure within its proximity. All materials contract/expand at their own rate.
Water RH and moisture will enter any opening/void.
Water,RH and moisture will be the main destructive force.
PS: Hope I am making sense.:roll:
SUSPECT: Structure: Water damage.The brick on the left hand side of the concrete stairway.
RECOMMEND: A licensed government insured masonry company evaluate the area and repair the walls in the report.
Defect. The brick surrounding the porch are at grade.
RECOMMEND: Licensed Contractor or mason form an Concrete abutment A 2" wide form 12" -18" INCHES IN HIGHT wrap the brick at grade level.
SUSPECT: LOT AND GROUNDS: The planting on the left hand side of the concrete stairway.
RECOMMEND. Lot and grounds.The planting be removed, the lot be graded to 6" vertical in hight at the foundation for 10’ of lateral run.
No plantings or shrubbery be replaced on ether side of the stairway…
Snow should not be piled or allowed to accumulate in those areas.
Poseable cause of the degrading brick.
Snow has been allowed to collect on the plantings/shrubby. The snow shovelled off the porch and stairs are moved to the right and left hand side of the stairway. Moisture has been entering openings and voids.
During the abnormal freeze thaw periods water will enter any cavity/void/crack.
Water (ice) has expanded and later/vertical loading has moved the brick.
WATER: Normally, a substance expands on heating and contracts on freezing but with water it is just the opposite, when heated or cooled between 40C and 00C.
Water can not compress. Only one way to go.
When water freezes expands up too 10% its volume.
Water is know as (‘universal’ solvent.)
It does not conduct heat and electricity well.
I will wait for more pics.
Sorry for the long post all…
Price often dictates as to weather its a good investment… I get hired as a GC to give estimates for repairs that would be needed as well as my professional opinion as to the condition of the home…have seen homes that needed over 100k worth of work and yet were good deals…and have also seen home that needed less than $3k that I wouldn’t even bother putting a contract on…its all about the deal.
Unfortunately most of the potential buyers / investors I come across don’t have two nickels to rub together and yet want something for nothing.
Allot of flippers here cashing in buy hiding defects and doing there own plumbing and electrical.
Every old house I see that has vinyl siding I automatically know to look for structure issues more closely.
Love it!!
Me thinks there is some very nice wood detail in that century home.
The elaborate crown mouldings on the parapet are the type of old school pride of that era.
I am amazed the façade’s parapet is still plumb.
