[aburtonkc]

Hello,
My wife and I are currently looking at a house that was built in 1906 and completely renovated in 2007. The house is in the exact location we're looking for and in our price range. The seller is very motivated to sell as he has changed jobs.
I am concerned about the north facing wall of the house. As you can see in the attached pictures there appears to (at some point) have been some shifting of the stone foundation which has caused the brick to bow out a bit.
I've talked to a general inspector (not a licensed P.E./Structural Engineer) was well a contractor and both of them shrug this off and say that this is the "charm" of a 100+ year old house.
Should this be a major concern? I know nothing about this, but my mind goes to worse case scenario where we purchase the house and then the north side of the house caves in. Am I just being overly cautious? Seems like all these old houses have something that is concerning. I'm assuming this house has been like this for quite some time.
Your thoughts?
Thank you for your time!

[ballengerb1]

I can see that they have retucked quite a bit so it is worse than it looks. I would not consider this to be safe. This is all band aides and no remediation. Walk away.

[aburtonkc]

I can see that they have retucked quite a bit so it is worse than it looks. I would not consider this to be safe. This is all band aides and no remediation. Walk away.

Thanks for the reply. Just out of curiosity how would this be fixed? Thanks again!

[smoothy]

Hire a specialist in this... their opinion would be worth their weight in gold... vs. someone who isn't. Its wise to assume the worst until its is proven by actual experts to be otherwise,

It might have been common to build the top wider than the bottom at some points in the past in Europe (tax was based on footprint of structure. But on this side of the ocean, it its not vertical... there is reason to be concerned.

I however like Ballengerb believe this to be a thing of concern just by looking at the photos. Even if it doesn't fall down first (occupied or not)...it would likely cost a small fortune to repair.

[aburtonkc]

Hire a specialist in this... their opinion would be worth their weight in gold... vs. someone who isn't. Its wise to assume the worst until its is proven by actual experts to be otherwise,

It might have been common to build the top wider than the bottom at some points in the past in Europe (tax was based on footprint of structure. But on this side of the ocean, it its not vertical... there is reason to be concerned.

I however like Ballengerb believe this to be a thing of concern just by looking at the photos. Even if it doesn't fall down first (occupied or not)...it would likely cost a small fortune to repair.

Thank you. This may be a dumb question but who you you recommend I have look at this? Structural engineer? Masonry person? Contractor?

[ballengerb1]

Here is a big issue, the house is not yours and it will take some time to get a structural engineer to figure out the fix. The foundation failed causing the wall to fail. The foundation has to be excavated down to the footing. This leaves the wall totally unsupported, it might require a house moving company to come out and jack the home up from underneath and inside the basement to carry the load.

[smoothy]

Unless this building has some historical significance... its probably going to cost more to fix than its worth. And more than likely...more than what the estimates will be.

[ma0641]

Is that a doorway? I also see what appears to be a sill from a closed up window. Without a decent engineering study you are just guessing as we are. Look like Old Philly!