HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200852 Simpson Residence Plans ������.��M
To: Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission
Chairperson Tamie Ehinger
From: Sandra L. Chase, Registered Architecf
258 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Date: January 18, 2021
Subject: 69 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866
Two (2)Attempts to Purchase Property
First Attempt to Purchase Propertv
• October/November 2018
• Financing discussed with Sellers in a pre-offer conversation, at which time Seller
was amenable to financing and seemed optimistic about the sale.
• Submitted formal offer of$389,000
• Sellers rejected offer because they changed their minds and wanted an all-cash
offer.
Second Attempt to Purchase Property
• June/July 2020
• My offer$319,000 Cash (full list price at the time)
• Agreed between Seller and myself that offer was contingent upon me and my
Engineer inspecting the property. Reqardinq inspection:
o I had to re-schedule my Engineer three (3) times during this period. The
morning of the first scheduled inspection, the Sellers said the enaineer
would not be permitted to inspect.
o Next, the Sellers required: (1) Professional Engineers license and resume,
(2) multi-million-dollar insurances policies with Sellers indemnified, and (3)
signed customized letter of indemnification before an inspection. I provided
these to the Sellers before the scheduled inspection (within 18 hours of their
requests) and subsequently they again denied the inspection.
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o The Seilers then required a written statement that any `product' (report or
drawings) produced by my Engineer would become the property of the
Sellers. After agreeing to their request, again, early in the morning of this
inspection, they said they would deny access.
It was the conclusion of myself and my attorney that the Sellers wanted the property sold
`sight unseen'. I was willing to purchase the property `as-is', but not `sight unseen'.
• Additionally, the Sellers insisted that Helen Simpson should be the sole realtor—
representing both Seller and Buyer. After this was put in the contract, I spoke with
Helen about the inspection and complained that I didn't feel she was representing
my interests; she said she was not my realtor!
• Additionally, Seller showed me several times, on-location, the accessible parking
behind the house by way of a shared driveway with 7� Phila Street. Off-street
parking in this neighborhood is a significant asset. However, after my attorney
conducted a deed search, it was revealed that there is no written easement
agreement with 71 Phila Street. The attorney of the owner of 71 Phila said the
driveway would not be accessible to 69 Phila Street owners.
• I was willing to undertake this project despite the property no longer being eligible
for the NYS tax credits as of April 1, 2020, which would have provided a tax
credit for 20% of the rehabilitation costs, up to $50,000.
Recently retired after a 41-year career as a professional architect, I looked forward to the
prospect of successfully transforming this historic structure. 69 Phila Street was to be my
private residence.
As part of my due diligence, I spent nearly 100 hours:
✓ researching building stabilization techniques
✓ compiling drawings for the stabilization and renovations
✓ consulting with the Saratoga Spring Preservation Foundation where I was provided
with valuable historic research, earlier engineers' reports/assessments, and state
and federal tax credit information
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✓ discussing building stabilization with contractors and the technical staff of the
Historic Albany Foundation (HAF)
✓ studying Saratoga Springs' design review (DRC) requirements
✓ meeting with City of Saratoga Springs Attorney's Office, and Planning and Building
Department personnel
✓ starting the application for tax credits which begins with the NY State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO)
My schedule was to have the building stabilized before the winter of 2020-2021. The
disappointing experiences with the Sellers left me with genuine sadness.
Thank you.
Cc: Amanda Tucker, City of Saratoga Springs Senior Planner
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