Its a queen anne victorian
talk to an attorney
3000sqft is a lot to maintain, you'll never run out of things to do

>>2974715
>Its a queen anne victorian
ty

>talk to an attorney
duh lol what kind of attorney?

>3000sqft is a lot to maintain, you'll never run out of things to do
ooooh I am well aware of that. I been living with her for a while in exchange I make dinners and help with random things...can confirm it's a lot. I meant more like big jobs I'll probably need to hire someone to do

>>2974711
>>2974726
You need an estate planning attorney.

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>>2974711
If you're in the US, federal estate taxes have a high deduction her estate is highly unlike to reach. At the state level, some states have estate taxes and some have inheritance taxes (Maryland has both). Those generally have lower deductibles than the federal estate tax but in most places are still high enough you're unlikely to have to deal with them. But as others said, pay a few dollars for a tax accountant or attorney to ensure you get all the details right.
In my state, property tax increases are capped but that cap is removed and the taxes reset to the current highest level when a property changes hands. There is an exception for when the property is passed between family members. That can be worth a lot of money each year but it's not automatic. You need someone who understands estate and property law. Don't be penny proud, pound foolish. Pay for expert advice.

>>2974739
> Pay for expert advice.
This.
Tax law changes frequently so don’t just trust the advice of someone that did it 10 years ago either.

>>2974711
Beware of the property taxes. She probably had a huge exemption and limits on how much they could raise the tax appraisal. Both will vanish when ownership is transferred.

Dose it have the original windows, siding and trim? Whatever you do, don't replace those with the moden equivalent. Original windows will be "wavy glass" double hung. Tirm and casements will be old growth, and hopefully the siding is original ceder.

Don't paint interior wood, refinish it.

Don't seal the house like a modern one.

If you still have galvanized pipe, replace it with PEX, copper would be better, but it's difficult to repipe with it.

Are you in a hot or cold climate? Does the house have HVAC?

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>>2974711
How much are you looking at paying in property taxes? In many places, property value is only calculated for tax proposes when it changes hands and is then capped as a small increase as going forward. The property value will likely be reassessed when you inherit the place. This can cause those property taxes to jump significantly over what grams was paying. The difference can sometimes be tens of thousands of dollars a year. Some places limit this specifically to help when inheriting but it can have all kinds of restrictions and requirements. As >>2974715 said, get a lawyer.

Have the water tested for contaminants. Old pipes and old wells can have all sorts of nasties in them. How's the water heater looking? Gas or electric?

Sewer or septic? If septic, when was the last time it was pumped and inspected? What kind of septic? Single compartment? Double? TRIPPLE? Or a brick vault with no leach lines and a dirt floor?

How's the HVAC looking? Or is it boiler and radiators? Who was president when it was installed? What fuel does it use? Does the term 'gravity boiler' sound familiar? Picture related.

What is the rating of your electrical panel in amps? If you are going to be saving a bunch of money, maybe look into getting solar. I know the place probably has no insulation and being able to power your HVAC for free can be a huge help. Heat pump systems run solely on electricity and you will probably have plenty of roof space.

And don't insulate it and call it good. Old houses were meant to breath and the walls often had some mostly harmless water ingress. If you just stuff insulation in the walls you can end up with moisture problems. Insulating an old house properly can be a *HUGE* undertaking and require significant rebuilding. Its often cheaper and safer to just solar up and install a heat pump HVAC system or split units to knock down the heating and cooling bills.

>>2974711
>2nd... what are some major things I can expect to need to do with the house? Everything is paid off and we'll only need to pay taxes and utilities. The money we will be saving not paying rent will be going to a high yield savings to pay for things. As far as I know: The electric panel was replaced in the early 2010s, and most or all knob and tube wiring was removed way before that. The roof was replaced I think in 2016.
Plumbing? Foundation? Insulation? Boilers?
>>2974715
>you'll never run out of things to do
Lolthis. Good fucking luck this shit basically only makes sense if you have 5+ kids and cheap as chips laborers. Even just getting the heating & cooling sorted is gonna be assssss.
Not that OP should not try.

>>2974792
Well then time to make 5 kids then

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>>2974795
with his sister?

>>2974711
>1st question... anyone know how my grandma can pass it down to us to minimize taxes? She tasked me to find out what lawyer to talk or how she can put it in her will, etc, but I am absolutely clueless.
Have her put the house into a trust and then put your name as the grantor. Confirm this with a lawyer.

>>2974844
Remember 2 and half men when charlie sheen said the house is the aphrodisiac

>>2974711
>It sounds like me and my sis might be inheriting

She will falsely report you to the police for rape/pedophile in order she keep the whole house.

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>>2974711

>>2974711
Just turn it into an airbnb and demolish (burn it for insurance money) it once the maintenance/repairs gets too high. After that build 4 tiny homes for the same price.

>>2974711
Check intentions with grandma. Go get a will and estate lawyer and pay him
.
Are you and sis supposed to share it or are you sole holder and you have to let her stay? Or vice versa? You probably need a a trust or corporation tk.hold it and then you're both members or something. Your lawyer will give you.options.

2. Roof and windows leaking. Watch out for some system trying to sell you on insulating the walls or something. If you change the encapsulation design lf the house you could end up with rot in exciting places. Best upgrades probably solar panels on the grounds/fence and heat exchangers. I like network closets and servers and ubiquiti wifi shit and having a homemade so that's in a closet.
Oh and recirculating hot water loops. Those are real nice.

>>2974957
Be nice to your sister, no reason for this to sour your relationship, still you should both be treated like you'll lose your mind tomorrow amd betray the other to get all the house and money and grandma's jewels . People are crazy assholes.

'I saw her the Friday before and she totally said it should all be mine is normal bullshit people try

>>2974729
ty

>>2974739
>>2974764
ty I am going to tell her to hire someone. I looked up the estimated value of this house on zillow and my state property tax rate. The number I came up with is only $300 more/year than she is paying now, so fingers crossed that's all it goes up.

>>2974766
>Dose it have the original windows, siding and trim?
Most of the house is original. most of the windows are original. The kitchen windows were replaced for some reason, but the rest should all be original. My grandma said as far as she knows the siding is original as well, except maybe a few random spots a storm or something messed it up. The exterior trim shuold all be original too. A few tragedies happened with the interior trim. Like the green marble-like finish on the fireplace was replaced with cinderblock for some fucking reason. No idea where the chandelier went for the front hall/vestibule, etc

>Whatever you do, don't replace those
What do I do if a storm or something breaks them?

>Don't paint interior wood, refinish it.
someone already dunnit. But like 85% of it is not painted. Can the paint be removed?

>Don't seal the house like a modern one.
I heard this before. It seems acceptable how it is rn.

>If you still have galvanized pipe
There's a mix of modern pipe and old looking pipe. Not sure if the modern pipe replaced the old pipe and the old pipe was left there...or they're both in use, or what. I'll see what is coming in from the utility and try going from there

>Are you in a hot or cold climate?
technically cold. Summers typically get mid upper 80s (low to mid 90 isn't too uncommon) and winters are 0-10F and often get much colder.

>Does the house have HVAC?
yes. my grandma said it originally had a coal burning furnace. it now has a modern furnace (less than 10 years old) and AC....not sure how old the AC is but being from Phoenix AZ I want to shut it off and open a window on most summer days, so idc so much about the AC

>>2974791
>How much are you looking at paying in property taxes?
rn she's paying $3200/year. I looked up the estimated value on zillow and my state's tax rate, and came up with $3800, so hopefully that's all it goes up. Even if it is double, it'll still be cheaper than renting or buying a place, and still dirt cheap compared to where I came from

>Have the water tested for contaminants
ty, putting on my to do list.

>Sewer or septic?
sewer

>How's the HVAC looking?
ok in my last post I said the furnace is <10 years...I dunno how I got that idea lol. I am looking at it now. The install date says 2006. What am I looking for besides that? It is a gas furnace

>Does the term 'gravity boiler' sound familiar?
no

>What is the rating of your electrical panel in amps?
100 amps

>look into getting solar.
definitely. We have the yard and roof space.

>And don't insulate it and call it good
I heard this before. it doesn't seem that bad except on the worst days, which isn't that often, and we'll probably leave it as is for now.


>>2974792
>Foundation
I'll probably pay someone for this one, as I have no fucking clue what to look for

>only makes sense if you have 5+ kids
if I can rent out 2 of the 6 bedrooms, each paying $500/month, assuming the taxes don't change too much...that'll cover all utilities, insurance, tax, everything. I don't want to do that but it'll be nice knowing we have the option.

>heating & cooling sorted
it already has central heating and cooling. Even if it fails, we'll probably just get space heaters for the rooms we're in until we can get the heater fixed, and tough it out in the summer (which is very mild to us, being from AZ moving to a cool climate)

>>2974848
ty I'll have her bring it up to whatever attorney she talks to, to see the options.

>>2974935
sry your family sucks

>>2974956
this is probably what we will do if it turns out to be too much for us to handle.....not burning it but arbnb or selling it or something

>>2974957
>Check intentions with grandma
>Are you and sis supposed to share it or are you sole holder and you have to let her stay?
now that you mention it, the way she words it atm isn't that clear. I'll have to ask her while my sister is present. I guess that's what the will/lawyer is for

>Roof and windows leaking
there are no leaks in the roof or windows or anywhere that we know of. I have a thermal camera and walked around the house a few times after a good rain and didn't see any wet spots.

>Best upgrades probably solar panels
yup definitely looking in to that. The blower is probably 90% of our power bill. In the summer we will probably keep the AC off except the hottest days. Being from a hot climate moving to a cool climate, all my shit is super energy efficient in effort to keep the house cool. All my possessions (not counting kitchen appliances) uses ~600 watts combined at max capacity.

>I like network closets and servers and ubiquiti wifi shit
eyyyyyy me too! I'm still deciding where I want to put my stuff at. I'm probably going to keep it where all the cables already come together in a central location. there's lots of space and random spots to hide it in this house. I really like ubiquit's flood light. It is plenty bright enough to be a porch light. it was frickn $100 for just the light but ended up saving us money, because it is low voltage I was able to install it myself and didn't need to hire anyone

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>>2974766
>>2975063
>you still have galvanized pipe
picrel galvanized? I think this is the water in from the utility.
She said something about the city sent a letter recently about needing to change a pipe going to the main line in the front yard, and they may help pay for it or something? I'll need to ask her about that.

>>2974791
>How's the water heater looking? Gas or electric?
it was installed may 2023 and is gas

>>2975071
>ty I'll have her bring it up to whatever attorney she talks to, to see the options.
You should pick the lawyer, not her.

>>2974739
We just got a letter in the mail about the house needing to be assessed. According to the letter, it sounded like she does not qualify for any tax freezes (not even senior citizen tax breaks), so maybe her current taxes are closer to what we’ll be paying *fingers crossed*

>>2975168
Yeah good idea I’ll do that ty

>>2974766
you should air-seal the house to the best of your ability, and there is no need to refinish any millwork

>>2974711
>1st question... anyone know how my grandma can pass it down to us to minimize taxes
Where do you live? Because many countries don't don't have inheritance taxes.

>>2974711
I'd be worried about an aunt/uncle/parent being pissed you got the house and not them.

>>2975230
> air-seal the house to the best of your ability
As in to the best of my ability as an amateur handyman? Like seal it better than it is now but not sealing it perfectly? Atm imo the insulation is good enough for now


>>2975244
‘Mercia


>>2975245
She told them and sounds like they’re relieved. It’s a huge house and my grandpa was a hoarder. After he passed, we had two whole ass dump trucks stuffed full haul off junk and that barely put a dent in it. They don’t want to deal with cleaning the house. They better be ok w it, my grandma said they’re all getting big fat checks when she dies. She lives off interest and dividends so you know those checks are gonna be so fat they’ll have their own orbit. Her own words: “they all have their own house and you (me and my sis) don’t, that’s why I’m choosing to give it to you guys”. Even if they’re not happy with it, that’s part of the reason I’m asking what type of lawyer to go to

>>2975286
>As in to the best of my ability as an amateur handyman?
No matter how old the house is it should not have any gaps that allow air or water past the exterior. Checking the weather stripping on doors and windows is never a bad thing. Remove and replace any caulking that is end of life. Correct stupid shit like woodpecker holes, warped/gapped siding, knots that have popped out, gutters that don't drain/have too shallow of a slope, etc.

Wood siding is a special case as it is actually recommended that it be vented on the backside. If it has no waterproofing layer at all then you generally don't need to worry about that specific issue. Wood siding will often warp or cup as the seasons change if it can't dry properly on one side. If it does have waterproofing layer then a gap is generally created using firring strips between the waterproofing layer and the siding. If your house doesn't have any warping issues then you generally don't need to worry about it. If it does have nagging warping issues that you constantly have to fix, well, now you know the fix.

>‘Mercia
The state matters also.

>>2975228
>>Yeah good idea I’ll do that ty
I know. That's why I suggested it. Your grandma isn't cognizant enough to make decisions, especially regarding your inheritance of real estate, that could impact your future net worth. There are plenty of lawyers who prey on feeble-minded seniors.

>>2974711
Drop that money pit like the proverbial hot potato.

>>2974711
>anyone know how my grandma can pass it down to us to minimize taxes
do not have it willed to you and do not let any paperwork get signed in the event of a nursing home or health scare in the hospital, the state will get your fucking shit.
there is a legal loophole to get their shit without getting raped by taxes you need to speak to a lawyer.

Literally pay an estate lawyer for advice. That's their job. Huge money here you wouldn't want to get this wrong and the law varies by state and by county.

As with all legal questions, the internet doesn't know about your specific geographic location.

>>2975063
>Can the paint be removed?
Do not. A house that old 100% has lead paint somewhere. just leave it. It probably predates the asbestos craze tho, unless you see something obvious, like ceiling tiles

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>>2975920
>unless you see something obvious
My house was built in the 50s. I had it tested and when the guy showed up to collect samples he explained that they put asbestos (or it was unintentionally included) in *everything* back in the day. He gave me a little catalog they used when testing stuff. Basically, if it was exposed to heat, electricity, wear, or could conceivability catch fire they put asbestos in it. It was also used as a re-enforcing agent. That is how it ended up in things like ceramic pipes and bricks. The concept is still in use today for things like fiberglass, carbon fiber, fiber re-enforced concrete, etc. It was also used to increase wearability, which is how it ended up in gaskets and brake pads.

Floor tile, ceiling tile, drywall, linoleum/vinyl flooring, wall insulation, ceiling insulation, pipe insulation, duct work insulation, *wire* insulation, glues/adhesives/mastics, Bakelite (an early plastic), tape, mortar, exterior siding, roofing shingles/rolls, roofing felt, joint compound, popcorn ceilings, wall texture, gaskets, brake pads, oven mitts, oil lamp wicks, insulating mats, cigarettes, talcum powder, fake Christmas snow, televisions, telephones, radios, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, dish washers, toasters, slow cookers, hair dryers, furnaces, electric heaters, windows AC units, clothes irons & presses, air compressors, welders, the list goes on and on.

Anyway, the place ended up having some insulation in the attic (Zonolite) and some vinyl flooring with the stuff. Everything else in my little tract house was too cheap to use 'high quality' asbestos products. I didn't even had any lead in the place. They really cheaped out when they made it. Good news for me though.

>>2974711
Look into starting a "Family Trust" or some kind of legal "Trust" where you can transfer ownership/legal title of property, assets, into the name of the legal Trust. You can make yourself and your sister "members" of the trust giving you both control and ownership rights to things owned by the Trust.
I've seen a lot of people, groups, families, landowners use a legal Trust as a means of managing or avoiding certain burdens that can come with homes and land.

An attorney can explain if a trust would be helpful for your situation and could set one up for you if advisable.

Anon you need to figure out a long term plan with your sister and make sure it's reflected in the ownership papers. You guys aren't going to want to live together forever, and when you eventually tell her Tyrone can't move in permanently you're going to run into issues. As 50/50 owners either of you could start legal proceedings to force a sale.

If you were smart you'd both live in it for a year or two fixing it just enough to fetch top dollar, and then sell it and split the proceedings for down payments on your own, separate, individual houses. It's not a good idea to keep it longterm because eventually your sister will try and fuck you over somehow, I've seen this shit with inherited houses a million times.

>>2974711
Heating and cooling a 3000sqft uninsulated Victorian can cost as much as rent so be prepared

Make sure the foundation is good and all the water around the house is managed properly (gutters flowing out from the house, no negative slope towards the house)

I think if she just adds your names to the deed, it circumvents taxes but idk

The siding (and everything wood) needs repainted every 5 years

>>2975071
Don't you fucking dare put solar panels on your roof
That's like the most retarded new thing people do
A roof replacement on that house runs like $20k, add solar panels, it's like $45k

Solar anywhere you don't have unproductive land is generally a waste
So if you have decent soil, plant and grow food and flowers, don't waste in on a solar that likely won't pay for itself

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>>2974711
>house built in 1889
that's the year Hitler was born

>>2975294
ty for the info. I'll check this stuff tomorrow after work.

>If it has no waterproofing layer
How can I tell? As far as I know the whole house siding is original wood from 1889, besides a wall being put around the back porch in the late 80s or early 90s. I have a borescope if it helps. Otherwise I can get whatever tool I need to check.

>Remove and replace any caulking that is end of life
probably every single door and window in the house, unless that shit lasts 40+ years lol. I might as well order caulk now before even bothering to check

>The state matters
Illinois

>>2975381
what would make it a money pit? so far it's sounding like the important things in this house was kept up pretty well. There's one spot in the foundation that I'm concerned about, but my grandma says that it's been inspected and they said it's good. I don't know diddly squat about it so I can only hire someone myself someday to get a 2nd opinion.

>>2975385
we're looking in to an irrevocable trust, but yeah ultimately going to an estate lawyer. thanks all for pointing me in the right direction

>>2975920
>just leave it
If I got rich af someday, could I pay a professional to remove it from the wood work and refinish it to look like the rest of the house?

>>2975991
holy frick I knew asbestos was in a lot of shit but didn't know it was that much.

I'm worried about the oven. it's a mrs. kenmore they bought in the 60s (maybe even the 50s). I can't find any info or photos online.

I need to get the insulation in the walls and attic tested, too. Otherwise everything in this house that I know of is wood, metal, glass, modern plastic, and plaster (all the walls and ceiling are original lath and plaster besides a few patches here and there). What are the chances the plaster from 1889 has asbestos in it? None of the visible pipes are insulated (there was once asbestos on the water heater out pipe but that was removed decades ago). All or most of the knob and tube wiring has been removed. Could the basement walls have it? It's weird, it's like some parts are brick and other parts are like some kind of pavement

>>2977218
>you need to figure out a long term plan with your sister
I think we already have most things planned.

>fixing it just enough to fetch top dollar...then sell it
that's what we're planning on doing as a last resort if it turns out to be too much house for us, or something like you say actually happens.

>>2977237
I see all the bills every month. It's not that bad, and she keeps the heat cranked so high in winter satan is probably jealous. We're from Phoenix AZ so the summers are mild to us. We plan on shutting off the AC completely and keeping the windows open on most days in the summer. When it's our turn to pay the bills, we are definitely turning the heater way tf down.

Definitely checking the gutters and things tomorrow. ty

The siding was painted very frequently except maybe the last 8ish years. My grandpa did that and kept up pretty well, but he got old and stopped. No one continued working on it that I know of. looks like I'll be investing in some good painting equipment now.

>>2977242
dope
I know this isn't related but I been told there are a few hiding spots to hide slaves or some shit. The only one I know of (but never actually seen) is under the stairs. But my grandma says that's been sealed off now. My dad said the entrance was behind a bookshelf, but that bookshelf is no longer there and it's just a plain wall now. He said it was a pita to get to it, so I'll probably never find it now

>>2978014
>Kenmore
That was Sear's house brand. They had other manufactures make it for them. Find the model number, which may look something like picture related, and look it up. The digits to the left of the period are the manufacturer code.

>What are the chances the plaster from 1889 has asbestos in it?
Doubtful. That was a 20th century thing. If anything was patched/repaired later that could have it in it of course.

>>2978016
Seeing as slavery was ended 30+ years before the house was built, and you live in the frosty states, which ended it even earlier, I doubt that was the use case. Maybe for bootlegging. Prior to the 20th century much of the federal governments income was from alcohol taxes. That said, dead space under stairs was often just turned into weird storage with no other ulterior motive.

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>>2978063
Forgot the picture.