Opinions and advice wanted

[Lisa]

We've been looking into buying a house, and one in particular is worming it's way to the top of the pile.
We had Mathos drive us past there today and we noticed a problem with an upstiars window that we hadn't spotted before.

Now, if it is a minor/simple repair job we will certainly consider it as the house itself is wonderfully decorated, needs a bit of gardening and a new tile on the extention roof, but nothing i can't handle.

We'll be booking a viewing for Friday and will be enquiring about the problem with the window and any other things that we notice.

It obviously needs a lick of paint, and a wash.

Is this major?

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[Brains]

U need to get a survey done Lisa - that would show IF it is structural or not - sorry but a builder may be able to tel you also - I aint either though

[Lisa]

we'd get a survey done anyway before putting in an offer... just wondering if the general opinion was good or bad...

[Brains]

Have u got anyone in the building line you could ask ??
Just from an amateur viewpoint there MAY be possibility of it being structural - sorry not much help

[Lisa]

i think it maybe structural too, which would be a shame as the house itself is lovely.....

Dunno if i know any builders... i know a few who have worked on houses but nothing structural..

[The Beam]

What you call a survey, is that anything like what we'd call a building inspection?  Or an appraisal?

(a survey is something different over here)

A building inspection is your best bet, they'll check the house over top to bottom and give you a written report of all of the issues.  At least that's what we have over here.

[Lisa]

yeah thats what we mean by survey when we refer to a house...

[The Beam]

Over here the survey is the plat drawing of where the house sits on the property.  To see if any parts of the house encroaches on the neighbors property.  I'd supposed you wouldn't need this kind of survey over there all that often.

[fred]

Take care to get a survey rather than a valuation Lisa.  Especially in a mining area

[fred]

If it's the top edge of the window surround you're woried about   I can't see well enough from the pic.  If there are no cracks in the area then it is likely that it's been like that for a long while and is probably stable.  Best get a full survey.  It will pick up all sorts of things but the wording on the survey will be full of phrases to enable them to CYA

[Lisa]

cya?

i can get a closer pic, but it looses definition

[fred]

(cover yeer (their) arse)

Having said what I have I never bothered with a survey, just reckoned that if the house had stood for 150 yrs or so it was not about to fall over soon.  still there so far

[Admiral-SirJohn]

Okay, here's my admittedly uninformed opinion...

There doesn't seem to be anything structurally wrong with the house itself.  It does appear that the windows were replaced at some point in the last 50 or so years, and some of them needed spacers installed.  The woodwork seems a bit worse for wear, but I'd have to see it closer to know for sure.

I'd be willing to come along on the viewing, if you'd like another pair of eyes.

In any case, I think the woodwork would need some paint, and they'll likely need replacing in a few years.

[Brains]

There ya go Lisa take ASJ with ya to see the outside

[Spite]

  Looks like the bottom sill is a bit rotten.  How badly, I can't tell from the photo.  It shouldn't be a major problem, and can be treated and patched.  Even if it does need replacing, it's not a major problem.  It is a job that needs doing by a professional, though, and not some cowboy from the local pub.  The window would need to be removed for starters.