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Homeowner/House Thread: It's going to cost how much, now?

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  • AbsoluteZeroAbsoluteZero The new film by Quentin Koopantino Registered User regular
    Jebus314 wrote: »
    Jebus314 wrote: »
    Cog wrote: »
    Our AC had been making some godawful loud buzzing/humming noises while running, so we had it looked at. Low on coolant. Probably leaking. Cost to attempt to find the leak (with the caveat it's neigh impossible to find), and refill the coolant, and NOT including the cost to repair the leak IF they find it: $1050. For a ~15 year old unit.

    Guess who bought a new AC. Ow, my bank account.

    Is their regular maintenance to be done on AC units? I looked into this last year and everything I read basically said no. Maybe clean off the fins to make sure the heat transfer was working well. But it seems like the compressor should have a motor that could need maintenance. Or just general pipe/tube replacement after 10-20 years sitting in the elements. I just couldn't find a good resource on what kind of preemptive things were worth while.

    It's usually a good idea to have your HVAC system checked every year. And 15 years is starting to hit the lifespan of your average AC unit.

    Checked for what though? If it's just pressure/sealant testing I would like to do it myself if possible. I guess I've never gotten a quote to see what the checkup would cost, but I dislike paying a lot for things that don't require a lot of work, just because the knowledge barrier is higher.

    I paid for a AC checkup once, just went with the same people who installed my furnace because they did a good job.

    All he did was a pressure check, then he dismantled my fucking drip irrigation so he could use the hose to rinse off the fins. $112.00. I was so pissed. So yeah, shop around even if you have HVAC people in mind already, and read reviews.

    cs6f034fsffl.jpg
  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    Cog wrote: »
    bowen wrote: »
    Cog wrote: »
    urahonky wrote: »
    But I'm too much of a sucker to ask them to leave (they were at our house, gauging prices with us for like 4 hours).

    Really it's about getting over the anxiety and uncomfortable feeling of interrupting them before they get going. You have to be okay with cutting someone off mid sentence.

    Usually my go-to is "Hey, I'll just be straight up with you and save us both a lot of time. No thank you. /close door."

    Yeah it's technically rude, but we can both go on about our day.

    The thing with house services, too, is if you don't have like $2000 just laying around you can say "sorry we don't have that kind of money right now" and it's technically true.

    Even if you do, that's none of their goddamn business.

    Oh yeah.

    don't be like "yeah I don't have $2000 to do this" just be like "sorry I can't afford it" and peace out

    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • That_GuyThat_Guy I don't wanna be that guy Registered User regular
    About a year back some mormons (a mother and 2 kids) rang my doorbell and tried to read me bible scripture. Before they could even get started I told them I was nontheist and wasn't interested in organized religion. They asked me what I believe in if not god. I told them that I believed everyone should seek fulfillment and meaning in their lives, wherever it comes from. As they were leaving they said that they wished there were more [nontheists] like me.

    On the other hand a few weeks ago some guy knocked on my door trying to sell me a dog. I politely yet firmly asked him to leave. The only people I give the time of day to are neighbors and kids doing fundraisers. You get one polite warning to leave before I get rude.

  • SeñorAmorSeñorAmor !!! Registered User regular
    but there are lots of folks like your wife who live that HGTV life and want their old hardwood floors.

    Totally saying this to my wife tonight.

  • CogCog What'd you expect? Registered User regular
    That_Guy wrote: »
    On the other hand a few weeks ago some guy knocked on my door trying to sell me a dog.

    fucking

    what

  • That_GuyThat_Guy I don't wanna be that guy Registered User regular
    Cog wrote: »
    That_Guy wrote: »
    On the other hand a few weeks ago some guy knocked on my door trying to sell me a dog.

    fucking

    what

    It was the oddest thing. It was a really nice day out so I had all the doors and windows open. This dude pulls up to the curb in a subaru crossover thing, gets out and asks me if I wanted a dog. I looked at him funny and said "No, you need to leave." He got back in the car and drove away. It was the strangest thing. My townhouse is right along a busy road and is the first unit you see when pulling into the neighborhood. Weirdos are rare but not unexpected.

  • CogCog What'd you expect? Registered User regular
    I don't know what to think about that.
    That_Guy wrote: »
    I looked at him funny and said "No, you need to leave."

    I think this is the correct thing.

  • AbsoluteZeroAbsoluteZero The new film by Quentin Koopantino Registered User regular
    Once or twice a year I get people coming to my door trying to sell me a new roof. They always start with some variant of "you may have unseen damage from recent hail storms." Fucker, I live here, you know that right? Ain't been no "recent hail storms." I would notice a goddamn hail storm.

    The last door to door was a lady selling doorbell cameras (with a lengthy service contract of course). She told me I had beautiful eyes. You sly dog! Didn't buy anything but she got me to listen to her spiel longer than I would have otherwise.

    cs6f034fsffl.jpg
  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    My favorite is people selling windows and roofs door-to-door.

    I’m, like, “Hey, broseph, I know it may not be immediately obvious except for all the construction going on literally next door and down the street and ..., but this is a brand-new housing development. No one is going to be putting in new windows or roofs for another 10 years.”

  • chromdomchromdom Who? Where?Registered User regular
    Oh, I don't know about that. You're already a million bucks in debt. What's another $5k to have the windows you really want instead of the ones the builder bought at bulk discount?

  • zepherinzepherin Russian warship, go fuck yourself Registered User regular
    The complex I love in gets an absurd amount of energy scam door to door. At least 4 a year asking to see my ‘big energy’ bill, asking if we are interested in their special energy saving plan, one person said that ‘big energy’ wanted us to join their program, and they ask everyone in the apartment complex. Last year we called the cops.

  • ShadowfireShadowfire Vermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered User regular
    That_Guy wrote: »
    Cog wrote: »
    That_Guy wrote: »
    On the other hand a few weeks ago some guy knocked on my door trying to sell me a dog.

    fucking

    what

    It was the oddest thing. It was a really nice day out so I had all the doors and windows open. This dude pulls up to the curb in a subaru crossover thing, gets out and asks me if I wanted a dog. I looked at him funny and said "No, you need to leave." He got back in the car and drove away. It was the strangest thing. My townhouse is right along a busy road and is the first unit you see when pulling into the neighborhood. Weirdos are rare but not unexpected.

    Sounds like he stole a dog.

  • StraygatsbyStraygatsby Registered User regular
    I don't open the door for anyone unless I'm expecting them, even nice little old ladies and lost dogs. I don't know if it's a remnant of living most of my adult life in apartments or just generally not trusting people, but if it's critical, I'm sure you'll find some other way to reach me.

    On a totally unrelated note, I was just looking at Zillow and our home "Zestimate" has spiked to match Redfin's estimate (which always felt about 100k too high). I'm not sure if they updated some of their algorithms or if some absurdly overpriced comps just sold in neighborhood. I'd like to believe that value is real, but I don't trust either of those sites in the long run.

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Guys. It's simple.
    5h0ywtpd3mwt.jpg

  • SeñorAmorSeñorAmor !!! Registered User regular
    So I sold my old house last July and it's already back on the market.

    The sellers are asking for 9% more than they bought the house for and as far as I can tell from the pictures, they painted a room and replaced a ceiling fan with a chandelier. Everything else looks exactly as it was when we left.

    Also the listing (on Zillow) has "ABSOLUTELY NO REALTORS" in the description.

    Gonna keep my eye on this. This should be entertaining.

  • AngelHedgieAngelHedgie Registered User regular
    So, now that the weather has gotten nicer, they're finally completing the exterior finish of my house. The exterior has been painted, and we're waiting on the gutters to be installed.

    XBL: Nox Aeternum / PSN: NoxAeternum / NN:NoxAeternum / Steam: noxaeternum
  • DoodmannDoodmann Registered User regular
    SeñorAmor wrote: »
    So I sold my old house last July and it's already back on the market.

    The sellers are asking for 9% more than they bought the house for and as far as I can tell from the pictures, they painted a room and replaced a ceiling fan with a chandelier. Everything else looks exactly as it was when we left.

    Also the listing (on Zillow) has "ABSOLUTELY NO REALTORS" in the description.

    Gonna keep my eye on this. This should be entertaining.

    Like, sometimes things happen and you have to move but man that last part. This is going to be good.

    Whippy wrote: »
    nope nope nope nope abort abort talk about anime
    I like to ART
  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    This sounds less like a flip and more like someone trying to break even on realtor fees from the first sale, closing costs, mortgage payments, title transfer taxes, etc.

    It's not atypical to pay >10% the value of the house when you sell it.

  • SeñorAmorSeñorAmor !!! Registered User regular
    I am 99% certain it's not a flip. They don't seem like the people to flip, especially not for 9%.

    Rumor has it a family member passed away recently and my guess is they just don't want to be in the area any more. They're older and are probably going to want to move by their kids.

    My wife thinks they were difficult and just can't get a realtor (hence the stipulation), but I just think they were being thorough and perhaps a little too literal with what an inspector might have mentioned in a report.

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    edited April 2019
    My friend sold his first house by himself and tried to do that for his second house. It didn't work out. The first time was in 2005 when the market was super hot. Plus he was selling a starter home (3 bed, 1.5 bath split level) the first time.

    I'll gladly pay 6% every time. So much Goddamn hassle I don't have the time or patience to manage myself.

    Edit: also the first time was to a neighbor's daughter who was trying to get out on her own

    Mugsley on
  • JragghenJragghen Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    My friend sold his first house by himself and tried to do that for his second house. It didn't work out. The first time was in 2005 when the market was super hot. Plus he was selling a starter home (3 bed, 1.5 bath split level) the first time.

    I'll gladly pay 6% every time. So much Goddamn hassle I don't have the time or patience to manage myself.

    Edit: also the first time was yo a neighbor's daughter who was trying to get out on her own for the first time

    A significant portion of capitalism is driven by laziness in my experience.

  • evilmrhenryevilmrhenry Registered User regular
    Jragghen wrote: »
    Mugsley wrote: »
    My friend sold his first house by himself and tried to do that for his second house. It didn't work out. The first time was in 2005 when the market was super hot. Plus he was selling a starter home (3 bed, 1.5 bath split level) the first time.

    I'll gladly pay 6% every time. So much Goddamn hassle I don't have the time or patience to manage myself.

    Edit: also the first time was yo a neighbor's daughter who was trying to get out on her own for the first time

    A significant portion of capitalism is driven by laziness in my experience.

    Plus any mistakes here could easily cost you over a hundred thousand dollars, and it's not something you need to do more than once every few years. By the time you need to do it again, you'll have forgotten most of what you learned. It's basically a perfect example of something you want a specialist for.

    Now, the cost of a realtor is a different discussion. I bet you could have a "budget realtor" or something capable of making sure everything is handled correctly, and pay, like $100 for the service. (You'd probably want someone in charge of showing people around as well and so on, but whatever.) The reason realtors cost X% of the house price is because they're sales, not legal. They add value by (theoretically) being able to pick a proper price for your house, and being able to get you more money than you could on your own. Now, is that worth X% of the price of your home? Not really, but trying to cheap out here will cause you to sell your house for less, so....

  • MichaelLCMichaelLC In what furnace was thy brain? ChicagoRegistered User regular
    I don't open the door for anyone unless I'm expecting them, even nice little old ladies and lost dogs. I don't know if it's a remnant of living most of my adult life in apartments or just generally not trusting people, but if it's critical, I'm sure you'll find some other way to reach me.

    Our bay window is right by our front door so wife will open the side window and talk to them through the screen. 100% of the time it freaks them out.

  • DoodmannDoodmann Registered User regular
    I have some stinky paint for my bathroom, is oil based house paint a thing?

    What do I need to know about cleaning my shit off when I'm done?

    Whippy wrote: »
    nope nope nope nope abort abort talk about anime
    I like to ART
  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I have some stinky paint for my bathroom, is oil based house paint a thing?

    What do I need to know about cleaning my shit off when I'm done?

    there are oil based interior paints

    they are durable as heck

    but they are a pain to paint with, which is why people usually pick latex

    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • DoodmannDoodmann Registered User regular
    bowen wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I have some stinky paint for my bathroom, is oil based house paint a thing?

    What do I need to know about cleaning my shit off when I'm done?

    there are oil based interior paints

    they are durable as heck

    but they are a pain to paint with, which is why people usually pick latex

    okay so like, I'm going to roll it on which is fine, but how do I clean the pan since I can't just like wash it out with a hose.

    Whippy wrote: »
    nope nope nope nope abort abort talk about anime
    I like to ART
  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    Doodmann wrote: »
    bowen wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I have some stinky paint for my bathroom, is oil based house paint a thing?

    What do I need to know about cleaning my shit off when I'm done?

    there are oil based interior paints

    they are durable as heck

    but they are a pain to paint with, which is why people usually pick latex

    okay so like, I'm going to roll it on which is fine, but how do I clean the pan since I can't just like wash it out with a hose.

    turpentine I think?

    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • DoodmannDoodmann Registered User regular
    Yeah I guess I have a dirt field as a back yard...that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

    Whippy wrote: »
    nope nope nope nope abort abort talk about anime
    I like to ART
  • DaimarDaimar A Million Feet Tall of Awesome Registered User regular
    Doodmann wrote: »
    bowen wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I have some stinky paint for my bathroom, is oil based house paint a thing?

    What do I need to know about cleaning my shit off when I'm done?

    there are oil based interior paints

    they are durable as heck

    but they are a pain to paint with, which is why people usually pick latex

    okay so like, I'm going to roll it on which is fine, but how do I clean the pan since I can't just like wash it out with a hose.

    Get a disposable tray liner and don't punch a hole in it.

    steam_sig.png
  • Senna1Senna1 Registered User regular
    edited April 2019
    Yeah, screw wasting turps cleaning a roller tray, put a liner in it (or just let the paint dry after pouring off any extra). I wouldn't ever bother trying to save the roller pad either. Wooster/Purdy brushes? Yeah, clean those up. $2 roller, not worth it.

    Do you know why you're using oil paint, or is this a "found an old can of paint in the basement" kind of situation?

    Senna1 on
  • DoodmannDoodmann Registered User regular
    Senna1 wrote: »
    Yeah, screw wasting turps cleaning a roller tray, put a liner in it (or just let the paint dry after pouring off any extra). I wouldn't ever bother trying to save the roller pad either. Wooster/Purdy brushes? Yeah, clean those up. $2 roller, not worth it.

    Do you know why you're using oil paint, or is this a "found an old can of paint in the basement" kind of situation?

    Had to do some drywall repair and found a can that was the same color as the existing wall in the bathroom.

    Whippy wrote: »
    nope nope nope nope abort abort talk about anime
    I like to ART
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Agree with @Senna1 but if you need to clean, you can also try mineral spirits.

  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    If you're (potentially) putting oil over latex, make sure to put down a primer layer first.

  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    Also, +1 to mineral spirits. The fumes/odor situation is much better than Turpentine.

  • a5ehrena5ehren AtlantaRegistered User regular
    Jragghen wrote: »
    Mugsley wrote: »
    My friend sold his first house by himself and tried to do that for his second house. It didn't work out. The first time was in 2005 when the market was super hot. Plus he was selling a starter home (3 bed, 1.5 bath split level) the first time.

    I'll gladly pay 6% every time. So much Goddamn hassle I don't have the time or patience to manage myself.

    Edit: also the first time was yo a neighbor's daughter who was trying to get out on her own for the first time

    A significant portion of capitalism is driven by laziness in my experience.

    Plus any mistakes here could easily cost you over a hundred thousand dollars, and it's not something you need to do more than once every few years. By the time you need to do it again, you'll have forgotten most of what you learned. It's basically a perfect example of something you want a specialist for.

    Now, the cost of a realtor is a different discussion. I bet you could have a "budget realtor" or something capable of making sure everything is handled correctly, and pay, like $100 for the service. (You'd probably want someone in charge of showing people around as well and so on, but whatever.) The reason realtors cost X% of the house price is because they're sales, not legal. They add value by (theoretically) being able to pick a proper price for your house, and being able to get you more money than you could on your own. Now, is that worth X% of the price of your home? Not really, but trying to cheap out here will cause you to sell your house for less, so....

    Redfin will do (in some markets) a real listing for 4-4.5%. They advertise it as "1%", but neglect to include the 3% cut for the buyers' agent.

    I can't speak to the quality of their agents, though, haven't used it.

  • CptHamiltonCptHamilton Registered User regular
    Related to Doc's 'painting with oil-based paint' question... At one time one of my cats believed the world to be her litter box and used my walk-in closet for that purpose more than a few times. I finally have ripped up the gross-tastic carpet and padding. I'm undecided on what I'm going to do in there (new carpet or using it as a test-bed to learn how to install laminate floor boards) but I know I need to cover and seal the gross-ness of the sub-floor. To that end I bought a can of oil-based Killz.

    My question is: before I paint it, do I need to do anything to the sub-floor for proper adhesion?

    PSN,Steam,Live | CptHamiltonian
  • EncEnc A Fool with Compassion Pronouns: He, Him, HisRegistered User regular
    Related to Doc's 'painting with oil-based paint' question... At one time one of my cats believed the world to be her litter box and used my walk-in closet for that purpose more than a few times. I finally have ripped up the gross-tastic carpet and padding. I'm undecided on what I'm going to do in there (new carpet or using it as a test-bed to learn how to install laminate floor boards) but I know I need to cover and seal the gross-ness of the sub-floor. To that end I bought a can of oil-based Killz.

    My question is: before I paint it, do I need to do anything to the sub-floor for proper adhesion?

    PAINTING THE ENTIRE FLOORS!?

    ~1000 yard stare~

  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    I'd scrub it and let it dry thoroughly, then go to town. If you aren't painting over it, it doesn't matter too much if it's 100%.

  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    edited April 2019
    use a protein denaturing product like nature's miracle, scrub it in, blot it dry after an hour, let it sit for a day or two, then use killz

    bowen on
    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • CptHamiltonCptHamilton Registered User regular
    Enc wrote: »
    Related to Doc's 'painting with oil-based paint' question... At one time one of my cats believed the world to be her litter box and used my walk-in closet for that purpose more than a few times. I finally have ripped up the gross-tastic carpet and padding. I'm undecided on what I'm going to do in there (new carpet or using it as a test-bed to learn how to install laminate floor boards) but I know I need to cover and seal the gross-ness of the sub-floor. To that end I bought a can of oil-based Killz.

    My question is: before I paint it, do I need to do anything to the sub-floor for proper adhesion?

    PAINTING THE ENTIRE FLOORS!?

    ~1000 yard stare~

    Nah, just like 10 square feet where the cat pee soaked through.

    PSN,Steam,Live | CptHamiltonian
This discussion has been closed.