Bidding on a Log Home- Issues to look for?

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on July 8, 2009 at 9:21pm

Hi Greenmama,

Boy that picture of the log home is sure cute!!!

I would recommend checking with a local log home company to see if they have a log home inspector in the area or a log home restoration company that could come out and take a look for you.

Some of these companies will charge a fee to come and look at the log home.

You can ask them if they charge and how much. Always check for references!!!!

You would want to make sure you have a sound foundation and I would also recommend to probed the logs to make sure they are sound logs and not hollow.

Check to make sure there is no log rot. If there is it can be fixed!

If you would like I be happy to send you out some information on how to take care of your log home if you decide to purchase.

We will give you more than enough to read!!!
You can email me at info@iwoodc.com


I hope this will help you and I wish you all the best!!!


Kelly

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Permalink Reply by GreenMama on July 8, 2009 at 10:32pm

Slideshow of the house

Kelly, thanks so much for the advice.

I'm so green I don't have any idea if there are even log home companies IN the area! The house is in Budd Lake, NJ. I guess I've got some homework to do!

And yes to information on caring for a log home!

Unless its got any obvious obvious problems we'll still be bidding on Friday. I know we're going to make it contingent upon inspection, but do you think a regular inspector could see something wrong with a log home, or would I need to get an inspector AND someone who builds log homes?

Thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on July 9, 2009 at 1:26pm

Hi GreenMama,

I would recommend someone who knows about log homes!


Kelly

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on July 9, 2009 at 1:31pm

Hi again,

Good luck with the house. I loved the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Kelly

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Permalink Reply by Emily Roache on July 9, 2009 at 9:35am

Cute house! Good luck!

Make sure the inspector checks the water pressure, especially since it is an old house. When a house is built, the water pressure might be fine, but as more houses are built in the area, the water pressure can go up. Anything over 80 is considered unsafe and can mess up your pipes--most plumbers won't warranty anything they fix if the pressure is over 70. You can buy a regulator, but I believe they cost about $500, so it's something to consider when you bid on the house.

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Permalink Reply by GreenMama on July 9, 2009 at 10:02am

Alan, I posted a slideshow of the inside of the house which has a LOT of log work. The vast majority of the house is logwork.


I'll make sure they check the water pressure!

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Permalink Reply by Lee & Sondra Kraley on July 9, 2009 at 1:46pm

So, my lack of experience as a new member is showing here...how do I get to the slideshow? I want to see too! Please! :o)

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Permalink Reply by GreenMama on July 9, 2009 at 1:48pm

It was a link in my reply a few posts up. Of course now we just found out the utilities are through the roof so that might be our undoing. Sigh.

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Permalink Reply by Lee & Sondra Kraley on July 9, 2009 at 2:26pm

Thank you...I found it! :o)

It's just LOVELY! I can see why you've 'fallen' so hard for it!

It looks like the original structure is truly log & mortar/chinking. Then maybe two additions? One addition is maybe stud walls with cedar siding and the 2nd, maybe truly logs again? Unless it was part of the original structure. I'm not an expert, by any means, but I THINK that's what I'm seeing.

I'm assuming the utility issue is due to the heat in the winter and air in the summer?

It IS lovely!

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Permalink Reply by GreenMama on July 27, 2009 at 4:19pm

Just wanted to update to say we're under contract and having inspections (regular and log home) within the next 10 days!

The house as it is IS the original structure. There have been no additions, though it was gutted in the past few years.

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