Advice on evaluating a townhouse for purchase
We are in the process of shopping for a townhouse. We’ve looked at several and are seriously interested in purchasing one in particular. We know it needs work, but have no way of really evaluating how much it needs. Is it customary to bring a contractor/architect on a walk through to help evaluate this? I’m…
We are in the process of shopping for a townhouse. We’ve looked at several and are seriously interested in purchasing one in particular. We know it needs work, but have no way of really evaluating how much it needs. Is it customary to bring a contractor/architect on a walk through to help evaluate this? I’m assuming we’d pay for this, but I don’g know how much. Unfortunately, we don’t have any contractor “friends,” so if anyone has any recommendations for someone who could do this for us, that would be great. As if it weren’t already abundantly clear, we are very new to this, but want to be as informed as possible and unfortunately, not getting much help from our broker who keeps assuring us that “everything can be fixed.” We know this much, but obviously don’t have an unlimited budget. Thank you!
I am a Brooklyn based broker. Before I was a broker, when I bought my Brooklyn home, I had no idea how to find a plumber, an electrican and certainly not a GC or an architect, (BB – before Brownstoner)
I asked the broker I bought through for a quick recommendation list of basic maintenance trades. She wasn’t very helpful.
Since becoming a broker, I have made it my business to collect names & numbers of the good and the bad trades. I make sure to offer my experience and my Rolodex to all buyers and sellers. People who don’t buy through me, call and ask for referrals and I am happy to help. I lose nothing by sharing this kind of knowledge.
Whatever you do, don’t trust your broker… he represents the seller.
If looking to make some contractor friends give me a shout at ‘gcfriend@yahoo.com’. I’d be happy to walk through any potential townhouse purchases and let you know what’s needed and the costs. I reno multiple townhouses each year, so this is a walk in prospect park for me.
This is my story: a carpenter who became a movie set builder, a building owner and landlord, an investor and now a broker. I know Townhouses inside and out and I am happy to help. If you are not working with a broker, you should be. give me a bell.
I am a Registered Architect in New York. I would be happy to see your prospective home and give you some feedback on areas that you are considering as part of the renovation project. I do think it’s wise to get some professional feedback from an engineer, architect, or contractor, depending on how intense a renovation you are planning. It’s good to get some verification you can do what you intend to as part of your reno, and that there are not immovable obstacles that may thwart your plans.
Specifically, I can give some guidance as to areas that likely need attention, and help you economize the scope of the project so you put your efforts towards parts of the house that will benefit most.
Depending on the amount of investigation you require, I can contact a general contractor I have worked with to give some response as to some ballpark numbers on renovation cost.
Incidentally, for an initial visit to seee the house and meet with you, I do not charge a fee. So feel free to email/call if you want to run any questions or comments by me, and I hope we can meet to see your space.
Regards,
George
George Roushakes, R.A.
T: 917.647.2678