Buying a Sinking House

Discussion in 'Repairs & Maintenance' started by waterbaby, 15th Apr, 2017.

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  1. waterbaby

    waterbaby Member

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    We recently had an offer on a house but when we did the building report the builder told us it had sunk 120mm in one corner. We freaked out and pulled out of the contract but we are now wondering if we made the right decision???
    How much roughly would it cost to fix??? Is it a major issue or something easily fixed?
     
  2. Gockie

    Gockie Life is good ☺️ Premium Member

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    I'm guessing it needs restumping in that area? It would be a great negotiation chip - it will turn off other buyers
     
  3. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    Some years ago now we purchased a property where limestone footing slightly rolled out
    due to water, massive cracks front of house.

    I know how you feel, don't stress, find the solution and just move on.

    This property purchase turned out to be one our our best investments we ever made

    MTR:)
     
  4. Propertunity

    Propertunity Well-Known Member

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    Is it on a concrete slab or stumps?
     
  5. waterbaby

    waterbaby Member

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    Hi it is on concrete. It slopes away 120mm over 6 meters. It is quite noticeable (i.e the door slides open itself) and you can see cracking on the outside brick work and the gaps in the window frames from the outside.
     
  6. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    You walked away from the purchase because of a serious structural defect noted in a building inspection.

    Better to discover the issue before purchase. I assume the builder let you know that it was likely to be very expensive to fix.

    Be glad that you did your due diligence.

    You'll find a better house.
     
    Last edited: 16th Apr, 2017
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  7. Gockie

    Gockie Life is good ☺️ Premium Member

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    In that case I would walk away.
     
  8. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    You would have needed a sinking fund ;)

    The Y-man
     
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  9. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    Cracks, gaps, sounds like our little gem, however the house was elevated block
    We fixed the problem, made sure the water was away from the house, this stablilised the problem, fixed the limestone footings and then rebuilt half the front wall, got a brickie to repair and then tuck pointed the front. I think the cost was around $5000, but we were quoted as much as around $80K. The more people you get involved the more complicated it becomes. Builders are the best IMO.

    It comes down to what the issue is and whether it can be repaired and what discount you will receive etc.. But if you are not comfortable then don't buy of course, need to be able to sleep at night.


    MTR:)
     
    Last edited: 16th Apr, 2017
  10. Propertunity

    Propertunity Well-Known Member

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    Run, do not walk.......away. (as you have done)
     
  11. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    If it was footings or better still, stumps or piers, you could work on the effected area, slab....nah, harder, but you could probably inject under the slab if not broken through.

    Prob same prob as others, usually a water issue.

    It is all about the $ get it for right price and almost anything can look good.
     
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  12. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    It is about the $ for sure.
    However, our walls had rolled out, my concern was when we were selling the prospective buyers would place a spirit level to the wall and realise this, I think paranoia set in for me.

    Anyway we got 2 building inspections when selling, one by owner and our own.......both came in with glowing colours.... Made me realise what the hell...... these building inspections should have picked up the repairs and the movement to the outer walls and that there had been some structural damage. Just shows these building inspections/reports are not necessarily that great
     
  13. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    MTR, many agents will tell you how building inspectors perform, many make good money relying on volume, insurance can take care of the few troublesome encounters.

    I still use them sometimes, try and select them as well as possible, I use them as a second set of eyes, if place is vacant, or even if not, can usually see most issues myself, but one guy saved me about 10-15k, as he knew all the regs and picked up on some things I did not, very nice bloke too and of course I do recommend genuine people like that.
     
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  14. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    This sounds VERY expensive(ie 100% loss). Slabs do move and crack a little. Not 120mm. Thats what earthquakes do and insurers demo the place. The whole house has shifted and is angled at 2% and it will get worse on a increasing basis. It wont stop. Brickwork sits ON the slab so the bricks have dropped, windows etc all damaged.

    Is this around a mining area ? If so the house may fall in a hole.

    Lucky you found it
     
  15. dave80

    dave80 Well-Known Member

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    depends on how emotional you are on the property. ive had major land subsidence issues that resulted in 14 underpins required to reinforce the foundation - given i know nothing about construction it was a stressful time however it was relatively straight forward to repair.

    obtained engineering report - they did soil testing and draw plans to rectify
    obtained multiple quotes (some real dick heads out there)
    contracted underpinning specialist - job completed in 6 days
    house needs to settle for 10-12 weeks before cosmetic repairs

    basically they dig holes in certain areas, pump it with concrete and then jack the house up to level.

    quotes varied between $1800 & $3300 per pin.
     
  16. Gonx

    Gonx Well-Known Member

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    I sold a nice house a few years ago as it was sinking or the backyard had started to form slight sink holes. I complained to the council but they played dumb and said they never heard of others in the area having the same problems and did not help at all. The ground was very very sandy. it was too bad as otherwise it was a good place. I regret selling it now but maybe I was better off as now it might just be a pile of scrap materials.
     
  17. babyboomer1

    babyboomer1 Well-Known Member

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    If the house is on a slab you can get the slab stabilized i have used a company called uretek a number of years back but it will cost you
     
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