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Hello all!
Knock on wood, knock on wood! We close in about 120 days - just enough time to come back to Boston and sell our house! We just got back last night from a 10 day pre-move visit. We feel SO fortunate to have found this place and had a great experience with our realtor - we gave her a price range even though I cringed when my fiance gave it to her after reading the warning about them working for the seller - but she showed us three houses about 100k LESS than what our max limit was and the house we ended up with was about 75k less than what we told her we would like to spend. The house is amazing with views of the Atlantic and Caribbean - over near Mandahl Estates. We're so excited!
However, I do have a question for some islanders - how serious is a leak in the cistern? And there is some structural work that needs to be done - the rebar (spelling?) has some rust and has started crumbling some in some parts of the house - they estimated that it needed about 20k worth of repairs. My fiance is a contractor and thinks he can do the rebar repairs himself, or at least with some assistance. He doesn't want to deal with the cistern though. We are confident that we can handle it but want to know others ideas - are we in over our head?
I'm still fairly new to these boards, have only posted two or three times before - but over the next four to six months, I'm looking forward to getting to know you all! This board is so helpful!!
Posted : May 5, 2004 11:48 am
Have no advice to offer on leaking cisterns, but am eager to hear what the local experts advise you.
Congratulations on the purchase and to moving in time to avoid more Boston winters!
HipCrip
Posted : May 5, 2004 11:55 am
JANELLE,
DID YOU BUY ON STX? IF ON STT, WHO WAS YOUR REALTOR
CONGRATS!
ANSLEY
Posted : May 5, 2004 1:51 pm
Topic starter
ansley - we bought on STT - we used Calypso Realty and really lucked into the property, it wasn't even on the market. We saw two other properties in the same price range and they needed soooo much work, one wasn't even in living condition. If we hadn't found this place, we would have rented for awhile and waited for something to come along. Good luck!
Posted : May 6, 2004 12:26 am
Cisterns coud be a pain sometimes. You can have them cleaned, patched and coated for under $1000 easy. Depending on the cracks, it could cost more, if no cracks, less, if you have more than one, do the all at once as you will get a break. Look up Big Lee in the yellow pages, he is very good. Did two of my four for a total of $1500 and not one complaint from me and it's been more than 5 years!
As far as the rebar goes. Yes they rust, due to the salt in the sand that the concrete is made from. To simply plaser over it would only have it come back a few years later. MSI Building Supplies has a product. the name escapes me, that seals, cleans, seals, and prepares the area for repair and I know they will tell you what you need to do. Don't even think of asking those at Home Depot about it, doubt they wouldl know the answer.
You say that your fiance is a contractor, which is great. Please have him find some help about the way things are done around here. I have seen many a contactor come and try to do things like they did back home and it doesn't work. Different circumstances here. Feel free to email me. I have been in the building supply business for enough years and actually had them asking me for advice! If they only knew I gave them common sense answers and when in trouble I would turn to any one of my experts for the answer! I have observed and asked quesions a lot when I don't know, so I suppose this is where I stord my knowledge. I still hire a pro for things I can't handle.I was lucky to work for someone that was an engineer/architect. who I could always consult.
Now I have three buildings that are in a constant need of repair and it keeps me busy!
Ronnie
Posted : May 6, 2004 8:00 am
You will want to get your cistern repaired ASAP. That will be your only source of water and with the dry season coming up you will become good friends with the fellow who drives out with the truckloads of water which can be costly. As far as the rebar rusted I would consult someone locally who can redo it with the correct product. This is litterally the skeletal structure of your home. During the last heavy rain a few months ago there were several structures that sustained a lot of structural problems because they could not withstand the pressure. Several retaining walls collapsed etc. Find a good archetect who can work with you. It will be costly upfront however you wont have a house falling down around you when the storm season kicks in.
Posted : May 6, 2004 9:00 am
Hi Janelle,
Your house sounds great. Who did you work w/ at Calypso? I know a great realtor in Brookline if you are interested. When are you moving down?
Take care,
deb
Posted : May 6, 2004 11:02 am
Janelle:
I sent you an email.
Posted : May 6, 2004 11:05 am
