Is this basement common in LI

[zulu400]

The middle of the basement is a very odd place to have the sump IMO, in any case I would just swim away as fast as I can.

[caco54]

You had said they had converted heating sources. Do you think that is where the old furnace was and the hole was from it being removed?

[jamesk99]

I think it's in the middle because that's one sump pump vs 4 (at the corners). We already figure the basement is unusable and it would be priced into any offer made.

But 3 major concerns:

- The water heater, furnace, and washer/dryer...
- Can structural problems arise
- Mold?
- Can, with X amount of $$$, this be fixed?!

I'm told from someone that this exists because of the pitch of the land (??)

[OhBeeHave]

I wouldn't want to see that basement after a series of heavy rainstorms (like June 2009) as it will be moist. Were there any platforms built to keep the utilities off the floor?

The grade could be preventing water from moving away from the house. The leaders might need to be extended or set into drywells to keep water away from the house. The house might be in an area with a high water table and might be something to do with the nearby water you mentioned.

Myself -- I would walk away. You're going to have a damp basement which you will not be able to utilize for storage or living space, but will be paying taxes on. There will always be the concern that a few good storms and you'll have water in the basement, or that the sump pump will fail. Is the few grand you'll save worth the potential grief?

[hotkarl]

Had same thing in a previous home.
Basically, what you have is an indoor pool when it rains.

[jamesk99]

That says it all...