Anonymous
Post 09/17/2013 13:23     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We are looking at a house that has had extensive renovations done for the sale. The kitchen is updated. All the appliances are new and Whirlpool. Windows and doors all new. New hardwood floors. Everything looks about mid-range, and the price reflects that. In other words, not luxe renovations. It appears to be all well done, craftsmanwise, and we would obviously get a builder in to look at it and review disclosures and permits. Maybe there's just no knowing until then, but does any of this stand out to you as a red flag?
-whirlpool appliances
-no garbage disposal or microwave
-no washer/dryer
-shortish boards on new hard wood- appeared to be about 1-2 feet long, pine, not knotty
-standard/cheapish ceiling fans/lighting?


Whirlpool makes some of the best selling appliances, I am not crazy about them, nor do I seek them out when I shop for appliances. But I don't particularly think they are bad in some way.

No garbage disposal is a bit odd, but I don't really see this pointing to some a bigger issue. It wouldn't cost too much to get one installed later.

No microwave is also not a major thing to complain about. I know it's popular these days to have a double wall oven, one of which may be a microwave. But I wouldn't stress about it.

No washer/dryer is normal. Washer/dryer is apparently a very personal decision for some reason. We've had sellers who put it in their contracts that they are taking the washer/dryer. We just shrugged "go right ahead".

Pine? Are you sure? The boards may be short to avoid knots.

I don't start seeing good fixtures until we get into some of the better quality homes. Change them out if you want.


OP again- thanks this is all good wisdom. We definitely know this is a "you get what you pay for deal" and have no problem going more upscale with the money we save on what we care about. Just glad to hear that this stuff doesn't seem to point to a bigger issue. That's it- you hit the nail on the head. Of course we will still do due diligence, but this house is looking good.


What issue would it point to?
I am just curious what issue the appliance brand would point to????
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2013 12:42     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Have you looked at the electrical panel? My guess is that it might need major upgrading and that is why there is no built in microwave (code requires dedicated circuit) and dryer that also requires 220 dedicated circuit and that the existing panel isn't large enough to accommodate these appliances.

If the prior oners did a fast reno on the cheap, they probably didn't want to spend the money required to upgrade the electrical.


That's a good point. Also, my friend bought a flip with W/D plugins, and when he was having the W/D delivered, they realized there wasn't enough space for both appliances.


These are both really, really good points.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 22:48     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.

Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this.

I would run far away.


Well done!


Ahh, yes. Lord knows my exterior slurry is damaged!
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 22:03     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:Have you looked at the electrical panel? My guess is that it might need major upgrading and that is why there is no built in microwave (code requires dedicated circuit) and dryer that also requires 220 dedicated circuit and that the existing panel isn't large enough to accommodate these appliances.

If the prior oners did a fast reno on the cheap, they probably didn't want to spend the money required to upgrade the electrical.


That's a good point. Also, my friend bought a flip with W/D plugins, and when he was having the W/D delivered, they realized there wasn't enough space for both appliances.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 21:52     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Have you looked at the electrical panel? My guess is that it might need major upgrading and that is why there is no built in microwave (code requires dedicated circuit) and dryer that also requires 220 dedicated circuit and that the existing panel isn't large enough to accommodate these appliances.

If the prior oners did a fast reno on the cheap, they probably didn't want to spend the money required to upgrade the electrical.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 15:31     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
In an older home, would you even expect a built-in microwave? I would have guessed that the previous owners just had a countertop microwave which they took with them. Even in an updated kitchen of an older home, I wouldn't necessarily expect a built in microwave unless the update had involved a significant reconfiguration of the layout. Especially in a flip, it'd just be easier to let new owners bring in their own countertop model.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 14:15     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.

Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this.

I would run far away.


woah... what??


What?
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 14:02     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.

Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this.

I would run far away.


Well done!
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 14:02     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
we just bought a house without a microwave installed. but based on what i know about the sellers (it's not a flip), i think using a microwave is beneath them. no, it's not a crazy fancy house, they are just really into cooking. they probably don't own a crockpot, either.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 14:01     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.

Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this.

I would run far away.


I love this site.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 13:53     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
sounds like a flip. or someone trying to make things just nice enough to sell.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 13:04     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
My sense is that it was either a flip, or the adult kids of the owner (grandma heading off to a nursing home or final resting place) did the bare minimum to quickly update. I have friends who bought a flip in the olney area as well as a home updated by adult kids of a deceased homeowner, and in both cases there were no major issues. The flip had some high end cosmetic fixtures, but there were a few big items that weren't done properly. And grandmas house in silver spring turned out okay. The plumbing and roof were old, so they weren't touched, but all the key fixtures were switched out with mid level home depot gear. Totally functional.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 12:54     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.

Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this.

I would run far away.


woah... what??
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 12:54     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.

Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this.

I would run far away.


Ha. No "built in" microwave I guess. Which is kind of weird for a kitchen reno maybe? It's just weird to have one on a counter in a new kitchen I guess.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2013 12:53     Subject: Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
Anonymous wrote:No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.

Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this.

I would run far away.


Eh? You'd run far away because there was no microwave? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. Not everyone uses a microwave, you know.