I think if I ever retire I'm going to go work at Home Depot. I frickin love that place. It seems like the whole store is rooting for me. Every time I go in at least 3 staff members ask me how the house is coming along. When I went on Monday it was contractor day, meaning 5% off, plus I was using my contractor credit card for the first time so that meant another 10% off (even though I already got my 10% off last time I went in...) so I decided to buy all my appliances that day. I saved at least $500.
I would say the house is about 1/2 done as of today. Maybe even more. The big things left to do are sand and re-finish the floors, install kitchen cabinets, install windows and paint. That's pretty much it. My neighbor has been working hard tearing down my second floor sun room which was more of a dilapidated shack at this point. When the demolition is complete I will build a small second floor porch/deck instead. The view from up there is great. You get a good look out over Little Italy and, this time of year, all the gardens that are growing.
Yesterday I took home a pile of hardwood that we had to rip up. I sat outside in my backyard with my 3 year old son ripping the nails out of it so we can re-use it. My 3 year old now knows how to swing a hammer and understands the concept that when removing nails you have to hammer it out the same direction it went in. It was a less tedious job than I expected. It didn't take long at all and not a single board split when removing the old hardwood nails. Today my son and I brought the wood back to the "rip house" (that's what he calls it) before heading off to summer camp.
At this point the house has completely new electrical and plumbing. All of the drywall has been patched, repaired and replaced where necessary. All of the flooring has been ripped up so that we are down to the original hardwood throughout the entire house. The new bathroom will have the fixtures installed next week and the ceilings have been painted. Next week the upstairs may be completed :)
I am mentally preparing myself and my kids to move into the house for the winter because in the past week I have received at least half a dozen listings where the price on previous listings has been reduced. The spring rush is over now and things really aren't moving very well. I can honestly say one of the benefits of being single is that I can very easily pick up and move anytime I want. I would have made a nice amount of money on my last flip had I been able to move my family into it for the winter and list it first thing in the spring but the logistics of moving a whole family - a blended one - gets complicated. This time I can easily pick up and move. I love that feeling of freedom. I have been described by many as a "free bird". I need to be left to soar freely. I always return to the nest but I function best when I am left to fly free with my passions and ideas and I have a lot more fire and creativity in my soul when I am liberated.
I decided to see where I am budget wise on Wednesday. My plan was to renovate the house for $50,000. The bank would only give me $40,000 for renovations. Many said I was crazy and that there was no way in hell I could renovate that place for $50,000 but I am proud to say I will make it pretty darn close to that. To date I have spent $10,796 on supplies and that includes all stainless steel appliances (fridge, stove, washer, dryer, microwave, hood fan, dishwasher). I have spent $12,750 on labour and that includes all new electrical and plumbing. I have spent $1149 on garbage bins and removal of demolition materials, $1000 on asbestos removal and $9,000 for all new windows including installation. That puts me at a total of $34,695.
The only thing left to buy really is my IKEA kitchen cabinets, baseboards and the lumber for my new porch/deck and about 3 more weeks worth of labour I figure. Oh ya and I need to pay the guys that will sand and finish my floors. So I might end up a little over budget but not much. I have to personally do some work outside next week. I need to clean up the shed/garage. It's a small job. And I need to rip out a fence and the so called garden. I'm not sure what I will do with that space yet but I'm sure a creative vision will come to me when I am in the weeds.
Huge shout out to my dream team - Rob, Mel, Dan, and my favorite (just because of his name) Derl! This is all so fun for me!
Friday, July 25, 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
The Love Story Part of the Plot
Even the greatest action movies and all the superhero movies have an underlying love story theme. Perhaps it's so they can attract both male and female viewers. I'm going to estimate that at least 50% of my 3000 readership (yes, 3000!!! Thanks everybody. Y'all know how to make a girl feel real special) are female so I thought it fitting to add a love story to my house flipping venture.
I would love nothing more than to put on my work clothes and work on the house today because being physical is the best and most effective coping mechanism I've got. I can't though because I'm headed for Toronto on business. Business that requires me to sit in an air conditioned meeting room for the next two days. I can't even bring myself to pack my bag I dread it so much. But duty calls so I must go. The second best coping mechanism I have it writing. So here I go....
They met on the side on the road. Literally. They started out as friends. Actually not even. All he wanted her for was a one night stand. But somehow it never ended. It was a slow progression. So natural. Never forced. And before they knew what had hit them they had crept up under each other’s skin and almost melded their souls into one. It could be said they were soul mates if there is such a thing. How though? He was 26, she was 37. They came from opposite sides of the planet. His skin was as dark and as smooth as chocolate. Hers so pale and freckled. But the level of the soul was equivalent. They had an understanding of each other that was so profound. He almost didn’t have to speak and she knew what he wanted. She understood his fears, his worries, his ideas and his philosophies. She respected them. He treated her special from the rest. He put her before himself. He understood her fears, her struggles, and her philosophies. He respected them. She taught him that true love does exist. He liberated her. They were inseparable. Eating, sleeping, cooking ,exercising, talking, listening, watching movies, sharing ideas, caring for the children – they did it all. With ease. She understood almost from the moment she met him what made him happy. She surrendered her control and let him lead. He understood that, in all her complexity, it took very little to make her happy. He considered her needs and never missed the small things. He was appreciative and helpful. She was loving and affectionate. The energy between them was mystical. Even a complete stranger would recognize the connection these two had so long as they were both in the same room. They did not even have to speak. The energy connection was almost visible to the naked eye. Both fulfilled a very important need within the other. Both stood complete as individuals - intelligent, strong-willed and independent. But together they seemed to drift through life rather than battle life. They never fought. They communicated so well. But the fairytale was temporary. Both knew that. They say you know when you know. The same rules apply to the beginning as they do to the end. As she lay her head on the pillow she sensed the end was near. She wiped a tear, and as always, accepted this life as it is. He came to see her the next morning but did not need to speak. They both knew it was time. Time to part ways. And so it was.
That day was today.
Alright, back to work now. The house is coming along so well. I have assembled the best dream team ever. We have "Derl" the plumber, Dan the electrician, Rob the contractor, Dieter the German neighbor, (we're not really sure what he does) and my latest addition is Mel. Here is the story of how I hired Mel. First, I placed an add on Kijiji (oh how I loathe Kijiji) looking for a carpenter's helper. I was flooded with responses. Within 2 weeks I had 3 no shows, 2 that only worked for a day and then disappeared and 1 that I fired after about 5 minutes. So I moved on to Facebook. I posted a status update looking for anyone with a son (or daughter) who might be looking for work for the month of July. Well, it turns out my old high school buddy Mel is in construction. Fuckin eh! We met, I hired her and she blends right in. We all get along so well. It's one big laugh at the house all the time but work is getting done.
The job has turned out to be a lot bigger than I expected but surprisingly less money than I thought. So windows have been ordered, bathroom is almost finished, final touches on the upstairs walls and floors and we are ready to paint and finish the floors. That's the upstairs anyway. Next week, the kitchen will be measured for cabinetry, then dry-walled and prepped for painting and cabinet installation. Windows are ordered and on their way. Turns out the window guy knows me from the gym. Sweet. Guess who's getting a rush order, and a deal, on the windows ;)
I have 90 days to complete the work or the bank will not release the funds for renovations to me. I am on day 33. I suspect we will make it just in time. Like I said "dream team" is hard at work so I am 100% it will be amazing when it's done.
This project brings me so much joy. When I walk into Home Depot now the guys at the Contractor desk shout out "Hi Natalie!" and random people always help me load my truck. Actually today a random stranger helped me unload my truck too. I pulled up in front of my house to unload the ceramic tile I had bought and this guy biking by stops, gets off his bike, grabs a box of tiles and carries it in. How can you not love life when random acts of kindness (or rather random acts of craziness) happen daily. Everyone working on the house has never worked with as odd a girl as I but I swear the serendipity of my life is sometimes downright scary. But I love every minute of it, even the so-called "hard" times.
Start the countdown because shits about to get real and you're all invited to see the finished product on day 90!
I would love nothing more than to put on my work clothes and work on the house today because being physical is the best and most effective coping mechanism I've got. I can't though because I'm headed for Toronto on business. Business that requires me to sit in an air conditioned meeting room for the next two days. I can't even bring myself to pack my bag I dread it so much. But duty calls so I must go. The second best coping mechanism I have it writing. So here I go....
They met on the side on the road. Literally. They started out as friends. Actually not even. All he wanted her for was a one night stand. But somehow it never ended. It was a slow progression. So natural. Never forced. And before they knew what had hit them they had crept up under each other’s skin and almost melded their souls into one. It could be said they were soul mates if there is such a thing. How though? He was 26, she was 37. They came from opposite sides of the planet. His skin was as dark and as smooth as chocolate. Hers so pale and freckled. But the level of the soul was equivalent. They had an understanding of each other that was so profound. He almost didn’t have to speak and she knew what he wanted. She understood his fears, his worries, his ideas and his philosophies. She respected them. He treated her special from the rest. He put her before himself. He understood her fears, her struggles, and her philosophies. He respected them. She taught him that true love does exist. He liberated her. They were inseparable. Eating, sleeping, cooking ,exercising, talking, listening, watching movies, sharing ideas, caring for the children – they did it all. With ease. She understood almost from the moment she met him what made him happy. She surrendered her control and let him lead. He understood that, in all her complexity, it took very little to make her happy. He considered her needs and never missed the small things. He was appreciative and helpful. She was loving and affectionate. The energy between them was mystical. Even a complete stranger would recognize the connection these two had so long as they were both in the same room. They did not even have to speak. The energy connection was almost visible to the naked eye. Both fulfilled a very important need within the other. Both stood complete as individuals - intelligent, strong-willed and independent. But together they seemed to drift through life rather than battle life. They never fought. They communicated so well. But the fairytale was temporary. Both knew that. They say you know when you know. The same rules apply to the beginning as they do to the end. As she lay her head on the pillow she sensed the end was near. She wiped a tear, and as always, accepted this life as it is. He came to see her the next morning but did not need to speak. They both knew it was time. Time to part ways. And so it was.
That day was today.
Alright, back to work now. The house is coming along so well. I have assembled the best dream team ever. We have "Derl" the plumber, Dan the electrician, Rob the contractor, Dieter the German neighbor, (we're not really sure what he does) and my latest addition is Mel. Here is the story of how I hired Mel. First, I placed an add on Kijiji (oh how I loathe Kijiji) looking for a carpenter's helper. I was flooded with responses. Within 2 weeks I had 3 no shows, 2 that only worked for a day and then disappeared and 1 that I fired after about 5 minutes. So I moved on to Facebook. I posted a status update looking for anyone with a son (or daughter) who might be looking for work for the month of July. Well, it turns out my old high school buddy Mel is in construction. Fuckin eh! We met, I hired her and she blends right in. We all get along so well. It's one big laugh at the house all the time but work is getting done.
The job has turned out to be a lot bigger than I expected but surprisingly less money than I thought. So windows have been ordered, bathroom is almost finished, final touches on the upstairs walls and floors and we are ready to paint and finish the floors. That's the upstairs anyway. Next week, the kitchen will be measured for cabinetry, then dry-walled and prepped for painting and cabinet installation. Windows are ordered and on their way. Turns out the window guy knows me from the gym. Sweet. Guess who's getting a rush order, and a deal, on the windows ;)
I have 90 days to complete the work or the bank will not release the funds for renovations to me. I am on day 33. I suspect we will make it just in time. Like I said "dream team" is hard at work so I am 100% it will be amazing when it's done.
This project brings me so much joy. When I walk into Home Depot now the guys at the Contractor desk shout out "Hi Natalie!" and random people always help me load my truck. Actually today a random stranger helped me unload my truck too. I pulled up in front of my house to unload the ceramic tile I had bought and this guy biking by stops, gets off his bike, grabs a box of tiles and carries it in. How can you not love life when random acts of kindness (or rather random acts of craziness) happen daily. Everyone working on the house has never worked with as odd a girl as I but I swear the serendipity of my life is sometimes downright scary. But I love every minute of it, even the so-called "hard" times.
Start the countdown because shits about to get real and you're all invited to see the finished product on day 90!
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