Hi,
Our family is considering purchasing a house that has a downward sloping driveway and were hoping someone could help us fully understand what the potential issues of a house like that might be and could provide advice on questions to ask to ensure we don't buy something we're unhappy with. This is our family's first home purchase, so we're obviously a little nervous about it.
The house is a one story ranch with the garage in the basement of the house. The driveway starts at ground level at the street, is level for about 5 feet (the sidewalk), and slopes downward towards the basement of the house into the garage. The length of the driveway is probably 25 feet long. It drops from ground level to basement level over that distance.
I know there are drains at the bottom of the driveway. There are also holes along the driveway sidewall, which I assume those are connected to drains under the yard. We didn't observe any water damage in the basement, but will obviously get a formal home inspection to confirm that.
This house is located in the Boston area where there is a reasonable amount of snow. We currently don't have a 4WD and are hoping we don't need to buy one.
Pictures below.
Thanks,
PB
Driveway:
Inside of garage:
Our family is considering purchasing a house that has a downward sloping driveway and were hoping someone could help us fully understand what the potential issues of a house like that might be and could provide advice on questions to ask to ensure we don't buy something we're unhappy with. This is our family's first home purchase, so we're obviously a little nervous about it.
The house is a one story ranch with the garage in the basement of the house. The driveway starts at ground level at the street, is level for about 5 feet (the sidewalk), and slopes downward towards the basement of the house into the garage. The length of the driveway is probably 25 feet long. It drops from ground level to basement level over that distance.
I know there are drains at the bottom of the driveway. There are also holes along the driveway sidewall, which I assume those are connected to drains under the yard. We didn't observe any water damage in the basement, but will obviously get a formal home inspection to confirm that.
This house is located in the Boston area where there is a reasonable amount of snow. We currently don't have a 4WD and are hoping we don't need to buy one.
Pictures below.
Thanks,
PB
Driveway:
Inside of garage: