So much in life is cyclical and that is especially true when it comes to revitalizing neglected urban areas. At the turn of the 20th century downtown Greenville was thriving. Then in the 1960’s a seismic shift to the suburbs began, turning the center city into a crime-ridden area complete with rows of vacant buildings and little foot traffic.
A thoughtful and well-defined long-range urban redevelopment plan began to take shape in the late 1970’s and today is still ongoing with revitalization now moving from the central business district over to the west end and surrounding mill village communities.
Built when craftsmanship was paramount, time had taken a toll on many of the abandoned downtown buildings. And while most have been renovated or repurposed, it’s still important to have a clear picture of the home or condo you may be purchasing.
Things to consider:
- Older properties especially those constructed during the first half of the 20th century by now should have had a complete mechanical upgrade, including interior wiring and plumbing lines, outside electrical boxes and water/sewer pipes, and a complete overhaul of the duct work and heating and cooling systems. Unless that has occurred, then you can expect to find individual areas repaired or replaced as needed, some which may not be completely compatible or safe.
- Purchasing a condo or townhome doesn’t eliminate the cost of exterior maintenance so the age and condition of the roof, common areas and outside siding needs to be inspected.
- Is there enough information to get a determination if lead paint or building materials which may include asbestos are still present? If construction was pre-1978 there is a chance lead paint and asbestos fibers are still there, possibly hidden under layers of new paint and fresh insulation.
- How is the flooring? Any soft spots or major areas of discoloration? These are all signs of possible past water damage. Dry rot could also be a problem especially in homes that have never had central heating and air, resulting in improper moisture control.
- In a free-standing single-family home built with a crawlspace special attention needs to be paid to existing ductwork, plumbing equipment, insulation and ventilation. Many older properties don’t have sufficient insulation and may also have certain structural and foundation problems that can only be discovered from the crawlspace. Then, if access is available, make sure the attic insulation is also inspected.
Downtown Greenville is an exciting place to call home! Just make sure to exercise your due diligence by contacting Carolina RES for all your rest estate service needs. Getting ready to sell? A pre-listing home inspection can catch any problems providing you the opportunity to correct them before the “For Sale” sign goes in your yard. As a buyer, a home inspection provides you with insider information on the overall condition of the home, giving you all the facts before making one of the largest purchases of a lifetime. Please connect with Carolina RES for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can reach us by calling 864-242-1099, emailing us at info@carolinares.com or by filling out our secure online form.
