Ok, so it's not a Beverly Hills mansion, but it's mine! Anyway, by the time escrow closed, that fence in front was gone. I've since gotten the grass (or weeds as it were) to grow and fill in on the lawn. I'm figuring I'll need another $15,000 to make it look and work better, thanks in part to the damn cheap builders of the 1970's! In the next few months I'll be adding energy efficient vinyl windows (once I determine whether new frames or retrofit is better) and a new central heat and air system. My other projects for this house include ripping out the horrid, cheap-azz cabinets (can you say bargain-basement particle board with peeling walnut veneer?) and also the bathroom vanities. I'd also like to have a roll-up garage door, but the original owner thought it'd be "neat" to add a room to the garage, so unless I use two 8X7 doors, I'm stuck with this nasty, old wooden one...bleh! The remaining projects would be to paint, get a new fence and some major landscaping. Then I can sell it and buy 100 acres in Arkansas or sumpin, eh? Anyway, hope you enjoyed it!
RENOVATION PROGRESS/UPDATES
10/98 - Replaced CH&A w/Trane "High Efficiency" Heatpump
3/99 - Neighborhood "junk" pickup day scheduled for 3/19/99, decided NOW was the time to replace the bathroom vanities (including tops, faucets and mirrors). Still working on connecting the drain under the front bathroom sink (why didn't anyone tell me PLUMBING isn't "standard"??) Also took advantage of "no interest or payments until January 2000" at Sears and bought a new dishwasher and smoothtop electric range.
4/02 - Figured I'd get a home equity loan and try to get all my improvements done this summer; my own mortgage holder offered me a 2nd @ 12% (AS IF!!!..sheesh!). Anyway, checking with various lenders; apparently Wells Fargo is too tight with their purse strings. I'm not that desperate though. I'll give the update by May 2002.
6/02 - FINALLY got the refinance done. Now all I have to do is figure out who to have do some of the bigger things. This week I'll be having a Cadillac water heater (Whirlpool, lifetime warranty) installed by Lowes. I should be having more work done in the next few months; have to get estimates for the following: dual-pane windows, gutters, garage door, tree cutting/stump grinding and kitchen cabinets/counters/floor.
Coming Soon: Updated photos of completed work!
Suggestions or cash contributions will be gladly accepted! Click on the envelope to drop me a line, anytime!
This page was last updated on June 10, 2002
