losthighway wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 7:21 am

ErickC wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:15 pm Dumb question, but how does selling a home work? I am planning on moving to Rochester this summer to be closer to work, and my brother wants to take the house. I don't need to make a profit so I was planning on selling it to him for the amount left on the mortgage at that time plus whatever taxes and fees I incur so that I end up neither really making or spending any money on it. And he's already living here anyway... so, uhm, I've been wondering what the first steps would be, basically.

This is where it pays off to have a friendly acquaintance who's a realtor or maybe mortgage broker. The real work will really be at a title company, but I would want someone to help navigate the red tape, preferably without feeling like they needed a big commission since you already have a buyer.

Rochester, NY?

No, the one where the hit video game Super Mayo Bros. 3 is based (Minnesota).

My house is up on a hill with a large embankment at the back. We need to look into some erosion-deterring plants and possibly a retaining wall. The place is over 70 years old and hasn't gone anywhere, so I think we have some time.

Adam P wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:06 pm Our house is about 50 years old and has wooden T1-11 panel siding that needs to be painted every few years. The time is well past due, and there are enough spots that have decayed and would need patched or replaced, that we are replacing all of the siding this spring. Should be about $50k for the pleasure…can’t wait.

I'm in the same boat, house is 100 years old - and we're in san diego with 270+ days of sun (I know, wah wah) and termites. My house is a rectangle with a triangle on top - I'm trying to talk myself out of doing this myself but a part-time job as a siding guy for $30k+ sounds pretty good. But I don't expect to be in this house for more than 10 years so maybe throw some more paint on it? Claim ignorance about any lead?

Before I start calling a bunch of places in the upcoming weeks maybe someone here would know..

We have a raised deck (3 or 4 ft above ground) with lots of rotting spots. Would it cost more to have it re-decked (railing too) over the existing footprint, or just do away with it altogether and go with a slightly expanded paved porch at ground level? The second option would also require steps/railing from the backdoor to the ground.

I'm really hoping the concrete option will be a lot cheaper because I'm sick of wood deck maintenance and we get no benefit out of it being raised (ie. no good view of anything)

penningtron wrote: Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:13 pm Before I start calling a bunch of places in the upcoming weeks maybe someone here would know..

We have a raised deck (3 or 4 ft above ground) with lots of rotting spots. Would it cost more to have it re-decked (railing too) over the existing footprint, or just do away with it altogether and go with a slightly expanded paved porch at ground level? The second option would also require steps/railing from the backdoor to the ground.

I'm really hoping the concrete option will be a lot cheaper because I'm sick of wood deck maintenance and we get no benefit out of it being raised (ie. no good view of anything)

Based on my own experience with this a few years ago, the type of wood you use - or the type of hardscape you use - will affect cost more than the choice of deck vs. patio. You can do both more or less as cheaply or as pricey as you want to.

If you're looking function over form, I think your best option is to scrap the deck and have someone pour down a concrete patio. If you do some other sort of hardscape, like fancy stonework, you're definitely not going to save any money. It'll look nice, though.

EDIT: I have no idea how much the increased cost of building materials would impact my decision today. If anything, I'd think concrete would be of even more favorable expense now.

jfv wrote: Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:36 pm EDIT: I have no idea how much the increased cost of building materials would impact my decision today. If anything, I'd think concrete would be of even more favorable expense now.

Yep.. the current price of lumber will likely be a determining factor.

penningtron wrote: Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:47 pm

jfv wrote: Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:36 pm EDIT: I have no idea how much the increased cost of building materials would impact my decision today. If anything, I'd think concrete would be of even more favorable expense now.

Yep.. the current price of lumber will likely be a determining factor.

I also concur with your statements about maintenance. My six-year old patio has required nothing more than an occasional sweep or once-over with a leaf blower.

penningtron wrote: Before I start calling a bunch of places in the upcoming weeks maybe someone here would know..

We have a raised deck (3 or 4 ft above ground) with lots of rotting spots. Would it cost more to have it re-decked (railing too) over the existing footprint, or just do away with it altogether and go with a slightly expanded paved porch at ground level? The second option would also require steps/railing from the backdoor to the ground.

I'm really hoping the concrete option will be a lot cheaper because I'm sick of wood deck maintenance and we get no benefit out of it being raised (ie. no good view of anything)

Check your zoning if you pour concrete. Where I live, it's considered "permanent" and changes the square footage of "permanent structure" on which you're taxed. It's why folks with long driveways like mine (it's 800 feet long) go with asphalt because it's not considered permanent.

We got rid of our decks a number of years ago and use hardscaping and I'd never look back. Also, It wasn't too expensive to lay in a few yards of limestone and a few yards of pea gravel and put fancy flags embedded in the pea gravel. The price of synthetic deck boards will make your eyes water.

Anyone in Chicago have an exterminator recommendation? Specifically interested in if anyone has had luck getting rid of, gasp, I don't even want to say this out loud, termites. We just found some evidence (in our wall near our basement door to the outside) that we might have them. Hopefully not.

djimbe wrote: Mon Mar 07, 2022 1:05 pm

penningtron wrote: Before I start calling a bunch of places in the upcoming weeks maybe someone here would know..

We have a raised deck (3 or 4 ft above ground) with lots of rotting spots. Would it cost more to have it re-decked (railing too) over the existing footprint, or just do away with it altogether and go with a slightly expanded paved porch at ground level? The second option would also require steps/railing from the backdoor to the ground.

I'm really hoping the concrete option will be a lot cheaper because I'm sick of wood deck maintenance and we get no benefit out of it being raised (ie. no good view of anything)

Check your zoning if you pour concrete. Where I live, it's considered "permanent" and changes the square footage of "permanent structure" on which you're taxed. It's why folks with long driveways like mine (it's 800 feet long) go with asphalt because it's not considered permanent.

We got rid of our decks a number of years ago and use hardscaping and I'd never look back. Also, It wasn't too expensive to lay in a few yards of limestone and a few yards of pea gravel and put fancy flags embedded in the pea gravel. The price of synthetic deck boards will make your eyes water.

Yeah, I just toned down a small deck / 3 season porch we're doing a bit. Maniacal, but should last until I'm near dead so whatever.