I am looking for 3-4 structures on the peninsula to work on over the next year, while I develop and qualify a team here in Newport News, VA.

I am looking for inexpensive (less than $99K) properties to overhaul into what I call “caregiver homes”.

An example of such a structure follows:

  • cinderblock-walled OR a lumber-frame with a brick exterior
  • ranch-style home… possibly split level
  • could be a 2 BR/1 BA OR a 2 BR/2 BA on a slab or crawl
  • good bones/sound structure
  • access to plumbing/furnace/water heater/breaker box
  • not prone to flooding
  • may already require some plumbing & rewiring on existing structure
  • may already require roofing/windows on existing structure
  • good access to ALL sides of the structure
  • a larger lot (as in a subdivision or on a double or corner lot as in a city)
  • lot size MUST be larger than 0.11 acres (~5000 sq ft) and cannot be too narrow
  • existing off-street (2) parking AND room for additional visitor parking (2)
  • room for wheelchair ramp access to at least 2 entrances
  • garage optional
  • room for a large screened-in porch, atrium, or otherwise safe outdoor space for someone to get a little sunshine, service a bird feeder, birdbath etc.
  • in addition to updating existing structure, my renovation could include:
    • add 1 or 2 ADA-compliant BR, each with an attached ADA-compliant BA for each added BR
    • may also include adding a wrap-around porch
    • greatroom
    • laundry
    • garage
    • storage unit
    • security/monitoring system.

I would consider looking at a home that already has some of these features if a seller is motivated/price is right…

Example: I recently spoke with a guy that had moved his family here from the MidWest to take care of an elderly in-law. He bought the house next door to the in-law, and did a lot of mods to both homes to accommodate his own preferences and his wife’s elderly parent. Now that the elder has passed away, his wife has no remaining familial ties to this area, so he is now planning to go back to the MidWest and is motivated to sell both properties.

An abnormal hiccup in the consideration/purchase process would be to ensure I have no conflict with local ordinances or the city master plan… and that it is not a historic property with restrictions on renovation.