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Buying unfinished homes in Beaverton and Tigard, Oregon may seem like a great deal, but wait!

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

As many homes sit unfinished here in the Beaverton / Tigard area after builders were stuck with inventory they couldn’t sell, many buyers saw money savings in their eyes. Now that some of these homes are coming on the market, these buyers are thinking the savings could be even bigger than they ever thought.

But, there is something that these buyers are forgetting. In many areas these homes would be considered a steal and all you have to do to own them is finish them. But, here in the Oregon we are known for our rain.When these homes were originally started they didn’t use treated wood to build these homes, why would they? This would was intended to be inside walls not outside in the elements.

So, now you have a home that has been sitting through one or two winters getting rain, snow, hail and whatever else hit us during that time. This does some serious damage to that wood that can soon be yours at a discounted price.

Now, that discounted price may not be enough to pay for having all that damaged wood replaced which is exactly what may have to happen. If not, you could be stuck with a house that’s life expectancy could be far less than that of a newer built home that didn’t sit in the rain and snow of a winter or two.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in theBeaverton / Tigard area please give me a call, I would love to help you. 

If you are looking to sell in Beaverton, OR and you want to
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Comments(14)

Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Todd!  Great point--some are so damaged that you're best just to buy a lot and start over again--with good wood!

Hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday...

Jun 23, 2010 05:31 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Wow! What a good point Todd! Here, we had many homes that were not finished and stood for several years in the year 'round elements. What I didn't understand is that when a builder went in and finished the house, they called it 'new construction'... (?)

Jun 23, 2010 05:33 AM
Harrison K. Long
HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Yikes.  It looks like some marketed "new construction" of homes can sometimes be a euphemism for "made with old and damaged wood".  Another thing for homebuyers to be careful about.

Jun 23, 2010 06:02 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Todd,

"In many areas these homes would be considered a steal and all you have to do to own them is finish them."

Please tell us more!

I wouldn't be to concerned about those studs unless they were lying in puddles or warped. Plywood on the other hand could look good and still deliminate.

Bill

Jun 23, 2010 06:17 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Todd,

These are excellent points that apply to many other areas besides just yours. Great post. :)

Steve

Jun 23, 2010 06:21 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Oooh, wet wood.  Not good.

Jun 23, 2010 07:16 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

And many people might not even THINK about that! Great call, Todd.

Jun 23, 2010 07:46 AM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

All of which suggests that the buyer get not a partial home-inspection but a partial-home inspection (i.e twice the usual once-over).

Jun 23, 2010 08:33 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

I list a lot of unfinished REO properties and this is a big problem. All too often we end up tearing down any of the damaged wood and start fresh. So while it may be a huge savings for some buyers, the cost of repair might eat up that savings.

Jun 23, 2010 09:44 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Todd - Great warning for Beaverton and Tigard Oregon home buyer's.  This is another reason why buyer's need to hire a professional, like your self, who can educate them about the buying process, so they don't make costly mistakes like this.

Jun 23, 2010 10:57 AM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

Todd what's that old saying if it sounds to good it probably is. I wonder if your humidity is worse than ours.

Jun 23, 2010 03:58 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Termites are a big problem here so you definitely don't want to buy a home that hasn't had any protection from the elements for a year or two.  Very insightful post.

Jun 23, 2010 04:47 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Todd, you make some excellent points here.  We're seeing a number of semi-finished homes in Florida with similar issues.

Jun 23, 2010 11:57 PM
Mark Hall
Realty One Group Cascadia - Vancouver, WA
Homes for Sale Vancouver Washington

It rains over there too?

We have a bunch of unfinished homes here also. Many of the homes are sheeted with Oriented Strand Board (OSB) which is extremely strong until it ets wet. Big beautiful unfinished homes are literally falling apart on their lots. It is a sad sight to see.

Jun 24, 2010 02:52 AM