Where Can I Find Out If Multi Family Has Been Red Tagged (not Up To Code)
Hi Everyone,
I may be making an offer on a Multi Family home...my first investment...but I have one major concern.
I want to do my necessary due dilligence and am wondering where I can find information pertaining to the property not being up to code?
Like I mentioned this would be my first investment property and any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Deb 8-)
conduct your own inspection. Many places there are contractor, licensed building officials or home inspectors that for a fee (say 300+) will generate a report on the property.
You can also pull a history on the building in most cases from the local building dept. and they will tell you if there is or has been code violation(s).
If the place is say >15 yrs old. You can almost guarentee that there are code violations, since the codes have changed significantly.
You'll need to understand if the violation is a "not terrible" code violation or a "run, this is a death trap" violation.
Also, "red-tagged" means uninhabitable. The building has such gross saftey or code violation, you can't live in the building.
Dont forget that you can also go to the county code office with the address and they will be able to give you the history of any code violations current or past. It will be listed in the blue pages of your phone book. If it isnt directly listed go to the court house and find the building commisioner, or building code division and they will help you out.
Also make sure that his licenses are up to date for the multi family status. And find out what the costs of those are as well.
Good Luck,
Kyle
Hi Deb,
Love Manitowoc, going to be up your way the first part of August.
Your local building department will give you this information. You may need to fill out a "freedom of information act" request form.
Mark
On 07/04/2004, I went to look at a "multi-unit". When I got there I looked around for about 10 minutes. It was listed as a 2 unit, 2 bedroom, well it wasn't. Since I know the code inspector I found out that it wasn't a legal 2 unit. I did put an offer in for $8,500.00. I'm going to restore it back to a SFR and sell it for $75,000.00
First off, you know your area better than any of us. Here are a few things I look for:
1) How many entrances to the apts.
2) Where are the bathrooms located
3) How are the bedrooms set up
4) Are any apts. in an attc or basement
5) Do the doorways look like they belong there.
I look for the above mainly because I live about 6 minutes from the University of Pgh and 10 minutes from downtown Pgh. A lot of people just take old houses and add separate utilites and think they are 2 or more units.
If you through a house and something looks out of place, ask why, or investigate. I will ask the neighbors about the previous owner. But I buy all my properties from HUD or a Bank. The neighbors love to tell me all about the "house" and why it was foreclosed on.
Be cautious and careful. Ask questions about everything.
Lori
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