321 E 5th Street: It's coming down!

[MusicMan]

Can someone post a picture of this property, please.

[sheclown]

[avs]

Members of the HPC board who aren't willing to go the mile for historic homes should NOT be on the board.  Preservation should be the passion of everyone on the board.  That being said, if people arent willing to renovate to historic standards then they shouldnt be purchasing these homes.  Homes in the historic district have to be renovated to standards that support their original design - otherwise, why are we preserving them?  There are plenty of "investment" houses out there to buy that cost much less to renovate than our homes in historic districts. 

It will be hard to find a buyer for this house unless the person has enough cash - a full renovation like this ($100K-$200K) will be terribly hard to finance in this market.  I believe the FHA 203K is still capped at $30K for renovations.  And I haven't seen a conventional construction loan for a few years now. It will prob need a cash buyer with the cash to renovate.

Tell us what to do and who to contact and what we need to say to get this house saved.  Nicole, does it need boarding up or are the elements deteriorating it further?

[iloveionia]

Yes.  The house needs to be boarded securely.  The is a tiny 1'x1' MAYBE lift of the roof on the back that may need to be tacked down.  In my opinion, that's it.  Board it, fix that tiny roof tin, secure it, keep an eye on it. 

[acme54321]

It will be hard to find a buyer for this house unless the person has enough cash - a full renovation like this ($100K-$200K) will be terribly hard to finance in this market.  I believe the FHA 203K is still capped at $30K for renovations.  And I haven't seen a conventional construction loan for a few years now. It will prob need a cash buyer with the cash to renovate

Great point.  I don't think most people have that sort of cash upfront to get a home in this kind of condition livable to decent standards.  I would love to renovate a historic home.  That said I need it to be livable while I am bringing it back, a lot of the houses in springfield would need a lot of work just to become livable to a decent standard.  I don't think most people have the means to be paying more than one mortgage and front the costs of a renovation all at once.  I know I don't.   Maybe when I'm 50, but not 25.

[iloveionia]

But consider you could get a bathroom done, kitchen, and a room to sleep in.  Close off the rest and do it as you go.  A window air-conditioner could get you by.  I have not been inside the house so I can not confirm plumbing and electrical.  But for 20-30K you could make it live-able.  I've done it. 

[Debbie Thompson]

AVS and Ionia....this house has already been approved for demolition.  It's going down in a matter of days.  It can't be a "board and wait" thing.  We'd need to find a buyer....FAST.   Brenda Boydston at SPAR was speaking with the owner and told him we'd try to find a buyer. Give her a call at 353-7727 if you have a buyer.

The buyer needs to have a structural engineer look at it first, as I was told yesterday by someone who had been inside that there is significant termite infestation and damage.  Maybe it's OK; maybe it isn't; and maybe they were confused and had the wrong house (although I doubt it) but it should be looked at.  Maybe Tamara Baker could look at it for them. She's right around the corner on Walnut.

Ionia, if the house in condemned, you can't get a CO until the entire thing is up to code.  Maybe it's different in LA, but not here, so you have to finish it all before you can move in. Now, if it's not condemned, a buyer can do as you suggested.

[avs]

I don't have any buyers with this type of cash right now

[acme54321]

Ionia, if the house in condemned, you can't get a CO until the entire thing is up to code.  Maybe it's different in LA, but not here, so you have to finish it all before you can move in. Now, if it's not condemned, a buyer can do as you suggested.

Right, that's what I was referring to, should have explained better.  Bringing one of these up to modern code would take some serious time and money.  Plumbing, electrical, HVAC... sounds like work!

[acme54321]

How much is it selling for?  I'll give $5k

[Debbie Thompson]

So?  Your point is?  If you get a house for only $25K, you can afford that work.

[iloveionia]

Debbie, as long as the code violations are addressed the house can be lived in.  On the Walnut house I am going to request the report from code enforcement to see what they say is up.

Regardless, I know.  I know via experience from Ionia.  It's a year of work and 75-100k to get the CO.  I spoke to Tommy today, there is a story.  He also stated the house is partially redone inside with complete (not necessarily nice,) modernizations.  God knows what it looks like now.

FYI, this house was not on the eminent danger list.  But surely it is steps to it.

The city condemns everything no matter the violation; except maybe over grown grass. . . . .

[uptowngirl]

Debbie, as long as the code violations are addressed the house can be lived in.  On the Walnut house I am going to request the report from code enforcement to see what they say is up.

Regardless, I know.  I know via experience from Ionia.  It's a year of work and 75-100k to get the CO.  I spoke to Tommy today, there is a story.  He also stated the house is partially redone inside with complete (not necessarily nice,) modernizations.  God knows what it looks like now.

FYI, this house was not on the eminent danger list.  But surely it is steps to it.

The city condemns everything no matter the violation; except maybe over grown grass. . . . .

Can we get inside to take a look? I have some cash and am looking for another prop in the neighborhood...

[sheclown]

I've been inside.  There's no kitchen.  The walls are not in horrible shape.  I lived in a house on 7th which was in much worse shape.  

The floors have plywood over them so no telling, but they seemed to be secure enough.  
All historic homes have termite damage.  We just name the termites treat them like family.

(I lived without hot water and a kitchen for a good long time.  I washed dishes with a hose in the front yard while renovating -- my house still hadn't been condemned).

This house, however, being condemned, will need a CO.

[Hypocrite]

After a sewer line has been cut, what is the typical time line until demolition?  Is there a way to find the actual demolition date?