Hi Everyone, I am looking to purchase a pre-war walk-up apartment with slanted floors. Is there anything to consider? The slope doesn't bother me personally, but 1) I want to make sure the building is structurally sound and will continue to be so for many years, and 2) want to make sure the re-sale value wont deteriorate over the next 5, 10, 15+ years... From what I can see, there are no cracks in... [more]
Hi Everyone,
I am looking to purchase a pre-war walk-up apartment with slanted floors. Is there anything to consider?
The slope doesn't bother me personally, but 1) I want to make sure the building is structurally sound and will continue to be so for many years, and 2) want to make sure the re-sale value wont deteriorate over the next 5, 10, 15+ years...
From what I can see, there are no cracks in the walls.
I am going to check out the co-op minutes to make sure there hasn't been any concerning discussions about the integrity of the floors/building.
I know this can be fixed by lifting the floorboards and adjusting the beams, and might even consider making such a renovation in the future, but I really just want to make sure the building as a whole is fine, and that I am not buying into a money-pit… (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091541/
)
I suppose an appraiser could give me some insight into this, but would it require a more thorough inspection. From, say, an engineer?
Thanks for all the help!
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Response by marco_m
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 2481
Member since: Dec 2008
Thtas not an easy job. probably most easily done with dropping an engineered floor with some sort of compensation built into it for the slant. if anything it will probably get worse with time espeically if ur on a higher floor.
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Response by ab_11218
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 2017
Member since: May 2009
the appraiser has nothing to do with determining if the building is physically sound. a home inspector would be able to do this if he will get access to the public areas to inspect the basement, etc.
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Response by Eric_14
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 93
Member since: Sep 2011
Be very careful. Here are three thoughts off the top of my head:
1. Even if you don't mind the floors, you may have an awful time selling.
2. An appraiser may crush you.
3. If other apartments in the building have the same problem, your comps will always be bad regardless of what you do to fix the floors in your apartment.
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Response by truthskr10
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 4088
Member since: Jul 2009
I saw over 100 apartments during my purchase search. Of the ones that were not new development, more than 50% had varying degrees of slanted floors. I'd say 80% of prewar buildings had noticeable crooked floors.
Pay more attention to creaking floors and shared joists with neighbors.
The shared noise will bother you far more than your pilates ball rolling on you. :)
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Response by drdrd
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 1905
Member since: Apr 2007
I think I'd want to talk to a structural engineer.
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Response by soldwithstyle
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 1
Member since: Jan 2012
Settling is the most frequent cause of slanted floors. In pre-war structures it is commonplace, and usually nothing to be concerned about. I say usually because there are other factors like water damage, etc, that can contribute to buckling. I'd check those co-op minutes to be sure. If you're still concerned, call a home inspector first. (Make sure they're ASHI certified.) They will know whether you need the further expense of a structural engineer. If you get the green light, then consider it simply a part of pre-war "charm."
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Response by Squid
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 1399
Member since: Sep 2008
You lost me at "walk-up". Why throw money away on something that will have virtually zero resale potential? Walk-up = albatross around the neck. And slanted floor? even worse. Sounds like a tenement.
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Response by KeithB
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 976
Member since: Aug 2009
If you determine the building is structurally sound you could use sand to level the floors. A friend bought in a new building with sloping floors and could not stand it, their contractor used this method. The sand is spread out until level and new wood floors are laid on top.
Re: I'd say 80% of prewar buildings had noticeable crooked floors.
You must have only looked at walkups, lofts, tenements, brownstones, etc. VERY rare (almost impossible) that a large prewar steel framed building has crooked floors.
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Response by truthskr10
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 4088
Member since: Jul 2009
No walkups, no tenements, few brownstones but yes mostly lofts. I should have been more specific.
My post war very steel framed building rental at the Rivergate though did have slightly warped floors.
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Thtas not an easy job. probably most easily done with dropping an engineered floor with some sort of compensation built into it for the slant. if anything it will probably get worse with time espeically if ur on a higher floor.
the appraiser has nothing to do with determining if the building is physically sound. a home inspector would be able to do this if he will get access to the public areas to inspect the basement, etc.
Be very careful. Here are three thoughts off the top of my head:
1. Even if you don't mind the floors, you may have an awful time selling.
2. An appraiser may crush you.
3. If other apartments in the building have the same problem, your comps will always be bad regardless of what you do to fix the floors in your apartment.
I saw over 100 apartments during my purchase search. Of the ones that were not new development, more than 50% had varying degrees of slanted floors. I'd say 80% of prewar buildings had noticeable crooked floors.
Pay more attention to creaking floors and shared joists with neighbors.
The shared noise will bother you far more than your pilates ball rolling on you. :)
I think I'd want to talk to a structural engineer.
Settling is the most frequent cause of slanted floors. In pre-war structures it is commonplace, and usually nothing to be concerned about. I say usually because there are other factors like water damage, etc, that can contribute to buckling. I'd check those co-op minutes to be sure. If you're still concerned, call a home inspector first. (Make sure they're ASHI certified.) They will know whether you need the further expense of a structural engineer. If you get the green light, then consider it simply a part of pre-war "charm."
You lost me at "walk-up". Why throw money away on something that will have virtually zero resale potential? Walk-up = albatross around the neck. And slanted floor? even worse. Sounds like a tenement.
If you determine the building is structurally sound you could use sand to level the floors. A friend bought in a new building with sloping floors and could not stand it, their contractor used this method. The sand is spread out until level and new wood floors are laid on top.
http://www.contractortalk.com/f10/leveling-roofing-felt-leveling-compound-49513/
Keith Burkhardt
The Burkhardt Group
Re: I'd say 80% of prewar buildings had noticeable crooked floors.
You must have only looked at walkups, lofts, tenements, brownstones, etc. VERY rare (almost impossible) that a large prewar steel framed building has crooked floors.
No walkups, no tenements, few brownstones but yes mostly lofts. I should have been more specific.
My post war very steel framed building rental at the Rivergate though did have slightly warped floors.