Just an Older House?

Most people would see this as “just an old house.” We didn’t.

A properly built and well-maintained older home can remain structurally sound for many decades. And that was exactly what our client wanted. They weren’t interested in a new build, or anything particularly new. They specifically wanted an older home with GOOD BONES.

We shortlisted this property, but ultimately decided to walk away.

From a distance, it looked perfectly respectable. Up close, however, we started seeing red flags.

Biggest red flag - the external walls

Most buyers might notice the unusual brickworks and assume that an old opening had simply been patched. On its own, that isn’t necessarily a major concern.

But look more closely between the bricks. Sections of mortar were missing and badly deteriorated. This can be associated with long-term moisture problems, weathering or rising damp, where moisture gradually contributes to the deterioration of the mortar between the bricks.

Is it an easy fix?

Well… if you are looking for a quick cosmetic renovation and flip, simply patching some fresh mortar over the affected areas may appear easy enough. But that can be a quick-and-nasty cosmetic fix, rather than addressing the underlying cause.

It might suit a renovator looking to tidy up a property and move it on quickly. But it is not necessarily what you want in a home you intend to own and live in for many years.

This is the reason we are particularly cautious when inspecting recently renovated or flipped properties. Fresh paint and new finishes can make a property look impressive while disguising problems underneath. Property flippers are in the game for a quick buck, and they'll do the bare minimal, at the lowest cost, to reap the most benefit.

Fixing deteriorated brickwork properly can be a very different exercise.

Depending on the extent of the damage, the underlying moisture problem, access and the builder’s recommended repair method, remediation can take anywhere from days to several weeks — sometimes longer.

Wall by wall. Brick by brick.

And, of course…

we walked away.

It did not meet the needs of this buyer. But if our buyer is a property flipper, this could be a very effective site for the flipper.