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!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Thank God I'm a Country Girl
So you know the name "Daryl"? Well, if you live in the country you say it with a twang and it comes out as "Derl", right? Well my plumber is actually named "Derl". His parents must have been so country that they just spelled that shit out phonetically. I love it! He's a really sweet guy though. Takes his job very seriously and explains things to me very thoroughly. We're going shopping together today at Home Depot. That's a site to see. I went shopping with my fishing buddy electrician last week. I love how, as a girl, I can go from stilettos and mini skirt to steel toed boots and ripped up jeans.....and still look great in both, I might add! I sometimes wear the stilettos to Home Depot just for fun though. And then I load that wood all up in my truck myself, stilettos and all. It's too funny to watch all the men in the parking lot. Some of them are clearly ready to leave but they stay in their trucks just to watch the show. If only I knew at a younger age how much power woman hold in this world....
I love this old house so much. There are always new discoveries - some good, some bad. For example, when we pulled up the bathroom floor a couple of days ago we realized it's a miracle that whoever sat in the tub last didn't fall through the floor and end up in the middle of the kitchen.
We've since re-enforced the whole floor and made it way more structurally stable. And we've made a new layout plan for the bathroom at least 3 times now but I think we've hit the jackpot. This new layout will make it easier for the plumber (which saves me money) and will accommodate the larger of the two pedestal tubs I have. The good find occurred today after we ( and by "we" I actually mean my contractor....I'm still in a skirt as we speak) tore down moldy drywall where the kitchen shower used to be and found an old staircase. The house must have had an addition added to it but surely not long after it was originally built because the outside stucco and inside construction all match. It's hard to say if it was a fire escape or an inside staircase but I love it. I want to keep it and turn into shelves or something. I'm thinking about it. I have to keep it. I don't want to cover it up with drywall. It's way too unique and full of character to cover up. God knows how long it's been hidden behind the wall. Decades, I'm sure. They are where I plan to put the main floor laundry room so I think shelving is appropriate. But I may come up with a more creative idea over time.
Anyway, things are progressing well. There is still more demolition to be done but at least we are also starting to build things too. I made my first mortgage payment yesterday which is a stark reminder that I better get moving. I don't have time, or money, to sit around. Off to Home Depot with Derl now....
I love this old house so much. There are always new discoveries - some good, some bad. For example, when we pulled up the bathroom floor a couple of days ago we realized it's a miracle that whoever sat in the tub last didn't fall through the floor and end up in the middle of the kitchen.
Just kidding.....
We've since re-enforced the whole floor and made it way more structurally stable. And we've made a new layout plan for the bathroom at least 3 times now but I think we've hit the jackpot. This new layout will make it easier for the plumber (which saves me money) and will accommodate the larger of the two pedestal tubs I have. The good find occurred today after we ( and by "we" I actually mean my contractor....I'm still in a skirt as we speak) tore down moldy drywall where the kitchen shower used to be and found an old staircase. The house must have had an addition added to it but surely not long after it was originally built because the outside stucco and inside construction all match. It's hard to say if it was a fire escape or an inside staircase but I love it. I want to keep it and turn into shelves or something. I'm thinking about it. I have to keep it. I don't want to cover it up with drywall. It's way too unique and full of character to cover up. God knows how long it's been hidden behind the wall. Decades, I'm sure. They are where I plan to put the main floor laundry room so I think shelving is appropriate. But I may come up with a more creative idea over time.
Anyway, things are progressing well. There is still more demolition to be done but at least we are also starting to build things too. I made my first mortgage payment yesterday which is a stark reminder that I better get moving. I don't have time, or money, to sit around. Off to Home Depot with Derl now....
Friday, June 20, 2014
Week Two Down - Big Progress
I am so excited. I hired this amazing contractor who is totally on the same page as I am. I seem to be attracting those who "get me" these days. We have come up with some amazing ideas together. He demolished the bathroom this week and we came up with a brilliant expansion plan for it. Then I came up with a great idea on how to create more hall space and then together we decided it would be so cool if we could salvage the old pedistole tub, paint and refinish it and re-install it so that we could maintain the feel of the old house. Of course, the pedistole tub was not actually in the bathroom. There is currently one in the basement and one in the sunroom. Neither are functioning, of course, but they are there, full of soul. I will actually refurbish both of them and sell the second on Kijiji or perhaps keep it for my next flip....which I found on MLS yesterday, by the way, but I don't have the funds to buy it. I suppose if it's in the cards for me it will still be on the market when I am finished this one, right?
The reason I love this contractor so much is that he sees things the same way I do. Just because I am flipping the house does not mean I want to skimp on things. I always renovate the house as if it were going to be my home. I do not cut corners or use cheap materials especially when it comes to structural stuff. I am also the most non-thriftiest shopper in the world so it's nice when the "experts" working with me are conscientious of how I am spending my money. The tub was a perfect example of an idea that will save me money but that will also be the perfect fit for the house. He also thinks I can keep the original baseboards. I'm not totally sold on that although I love the character that they bring. I just need to find someone who can sandblast the 100 years of paint colours off of them so I can restore them to the beauties they once were. This will also save a lot of wall patching if I can keep them.
So, the kitchen is still under demolition. It's been a big job. One that I will complete myself next week. Then we will work on new drywall, flooring and new cabinets to be ordered for the kitchen. I'm still ripping up subfloor so I haven't figured out if there is hardwood under the kitchen subfloor or not. I'm keeping that as a surprise for myself. It's fun to have new surprises each week. I'm optimistic that there is indeed hardwood under the two layers of subfloor. We'll see.
My amazing electrician has removed all the old knob and tube wiring and we went on a shopping spree together at Home Depot today for all the new stuff we'll need. This man is a genius. Sometimes when I speak with him I become impatient and finish his sentences. There is something to be learned from this man - to slow down - but I still struggle with that. He basically works so that he can go fishing the other 1/2 of his life. He seems so simple but he is a very clever man and I've never met a more meticulous electrician. He is clean, organized and knows his trade like no body's business. He too came up with a brilliant idea for me. This is a secret so don't tell anyone. You see the house was running on a very small fuse panel and was mostly knob and tube with a little bit of new wiring having been added over the years. There are several issues with this. First, it is next to impossible to get insurance if your house has knob and tube. Second, if you upgrade your electrical panel you will likely need an inspection by the electrical authority = $$. Third, when running completely new wiring through a house you are supposed to notify Hydro Ottawa and they charge upwards of $1500 just to shut your power down and turn it back on. Literally a 60 second job. So here are my solutions to all my problems.....well let's skip number one because I think my insurance agent reads my blog. Number two was simple. My electrician did a job not too long ago where he took out a slightly used breaker panel which just happens to be the size I need. So we will install that used breaker panel in the basement, re-wire the whole house properly and pretend it was there before I bought the house. I mean, how is anyone going to find out? The man who owned the house died a couple of weeks ago and he has probably lived there for the past 35 plus years so it's my word against the dead guys. No disrespect. From what I am told by all of my new neighbours, the man lived a nice long life. Third, the electrician is going to do the job "live" so that I don't have to involve Hydro Ottawa and use up my budget on useless bureaucracy. Apparently Hydro Ottawa used to do this for free until, I guess, they realized they could capitalize on this. I don't blame them really. Business is business.
I am so excited. Did I mention that already? Everyone involved in the project, the whole neighbourhood where I purchased the house and all of my friends and co-workers are so supportive and amazing to work with.
I can't wait to see this place when it's finished. The thing I am most excited about is my beautiful staircase. Small things excite me in life. I am going to paint it chocolate brown and white. It will look something like this:
The main bath. It actually may even look better like this!
Ripped out a closet to create more hall space around the expanded bathroom.
The reason I love this contractor so much is that he sees things the same way I do. Just because I am flipping the house does not mean I want to skimp on things. I always renovate the house as if it were going to be my home. I do not cut corners or use cheap materials especially when it comes to structural stuff. I am also the most non-thriftiest shopper in the world so it's nice when the "experts" working with me are conscientious of how I am spending my money. The tub was a perfect example of an idea that will save me money but that will also be the perfect fit for the house. He also thinks I can keep the original baseboards. I'm not totally sold on that although I love the character that they bring. I just need to find someone who can sandblast the 100 years of paint colours off of them so I can restore them to the beauties they once were. This will also save a lot of wall patching if I can keep them.
So, the kitchen is still under demolition. It's been a big job. One that I will complete myself next week. Then we will work on new drywall, flooring and new cabinets to be ordered for the kitchen. I'm still ripping up subfloor so I haven't figured out if there is hardwood under the kitchen subfloor or not. I'm keeping that as a surprise for myself. It's fun to have new surprises each week. I'm optimistic that there is indeed hardwood under the two layers of subfloor. We'll see.
My amazing electrician has removed all the old knob and tube wiring and we went on a shopping spree together at Home Depot today for all the new stuff we'll need. This man is a genius. Sometimes when I speak with him I become impatient and finish his sentences. There is something to be learned from this man - to slow down - but I still struggle with that. He basically works so that he can go fishing the other 1/2 of his life. He seems so simple but he is a very clever man and I've never met a more meticulous electrician. He is clean, organized and knows his trade like no body's business. He too came up with a brilliant idea for me. This is a secret so don't tell anyone. You see the house was running on a very small fuse panel and was mostly knob and tube with a little bit of new wiring having been added over the years. There are several issues with this. First, it is next to impossible to get insurance if your house has knob and tube. Second, if you upgrade your electrical panel you will likely need an inspection by the electrical authority = $$. Third, when running completely new wiring through a house you are supposed to notify Hydro Ottawa and they charge upwards of $1500 just to shut your power down and turn it back on. Literally a 60 second job. So here are my solutions to all my problems.....well let's skip number one because I think my insurance agent reads my blog. Number two was simple. My electrician did a job not too long ago where he took out a slightly used breaker panel which just happens to be the size I need. So we will install that used breaker panel in the basement, re-wire the whole house properly and pretend it was there before I bought the house. I mean, how is anyone going to find out? The man who owned the house died a couple of weeks ago and he has probably lived there for the past 35 plus years so it's my word against the dead guys. No disrespect. From what I am told by all of my new neighbours, the man lived a nice long life. Third, the electrician is going to do the job "live" so that I don't have to involve Hydro Ottawa and use up my budget on useless bureaucracy. Apparently Hydro Ottawa used to do this for free until, I guess, they realized they could capitalize on this. I don't blame them really. Business is business.
I am so excited. Did I mention that already? Everyone involved in the project, the whole neighbourhood where I purchased the house and all of my friends and co-workers are so supportive and amazing to work with.
I can't wait to see this place when it's finished. The thing I am most excited about is my beautiful staircase. Small things excite me in life. I am going to paint it chocolate brown and white. It will look something like this:
Isn't that rich? I love it. My woodwork is way more intricate than this sample but you get the idea.
Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come too infrequently. And if you don’t collect all these tiny successes, the big ones don’t really mean anything. ~ Norman Lear
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Sooooooo Happy
The great wall came down today. At one time the house was functioning as a duplex - probably not very successfully. It's way too small to a be a real duplex so today I tore down the wall that enclosed the staircase and that concealed the most stunning old railing I've ever seen. The house seems almost double in size with that staircase opened up. It's amazing what an open concept does. The space feels so much bigger now...and brighter. The wall came down a lot easier that those damn floor tiles. Thank God for that!
I was so excited today when that wall came down. I feel like we're making progress. "We" meaning me and my infamous neighbor who has never let me step foot in that house alone to date. We entertain each other with jokes and sing random songs together. I have a big amp set up there with my iPod hooked up but he hasn't heard of any band since The Beatles. I try to limit the Tupac and Biggie Smalls and keep it pretty mellow for the guy but he never complains. Today we started singing "Downtown" by Petula Clark - probably the only common song we know. Unfortunately the only word in the whole song I know is "Downtown" so it grew old pretty quick. But I must have sang that word at least 100 times in the 2 hours we worked. Again, he never complained. We should really record this whole shit show because it's rather entertaining I'm sure.
When we were about to leave I noticed an old piece of linoleum flooring visible under the subfloor so I pulled it up with the crow bar and discovered......wait for it.......hardwood floor, that based on the newspaper layer covering it, has been hiding under there since 1964! Jackpot! So subfloor is coming up tonight.
Phase II demolition complete. Phase III and IV require the tearing out of the small makeshift kitchen on the second floor and all the baseboards. Phase IV is the sun room demolition which I don't even want to think about right now. One thing at a time.
Friday, June 13, 2014
One Week Down.....Many More to go!
If I ever lay ceramic tile in a house I will choose the largest tiles possible so that the poor bastard that has to rip them up 100 years from now won't have to do it one square inch at a time! That has been my week. I have been ripping up ceramic floor tile, one tile at a time. It's kind of therapeutic until I get to a spot where the tile layer decided to dump on extra glue. I thought that demolition would be a good way to get pent up frustrations out but frankly it quite often increases my frustration. When that happens I just move onto something else and come back to it later.
I listed the appliances on kijiji but my patience are thin for that kind of stuff. You want it or not? I'm practically giving them away so stop asking me so many questions and just take the damn things if you want them. I'm about to carry them out to the end of the laneway myself and stick a "FREE" sign on them.
Asbestos removal guys were in yesterday so we are free and clear of that stuff. And my contractor is coming Monday or Tuesday to go over what I need done. It always looks worse before it looks better. There are times I look at it and think "what the hell have I done?" but then I just start to laugh because that is what I say about most of the things in my life and somehow my life has turned out awesome so far. I am most likely way in over my head here but I'm 100% sure I'll figure it all out and everything will be fine because as my favorite saying goes "Everything works out in the end, and if it's not working out, then it's not the end."
I have met most of my neighbours. To the right there is an old Chinese woman who doesn't speak a word of English; however, I think I got it across that I am Natalie and I bought the house next door. She smiles and nods at me so I think we're cool. The neighbor to the left is awesome. She is just thrilled I'm not a slum lord. I took her and her boyfriend on a tour and they are cheering me on the whole way.
A dear friend of mine has been helping with the demolition. He is an old German man who lives on my street. Since I moved in I have never taken my garbage out or shoveled my own laneway. He insists on "taking care" of me. He slaves away at the house with me everyday. He talks a lot but I am wearing a mask most of the time so I can't really respond anyway. Actually, we are kind of funny together. He is a hard worker, that's for sure. I'd say I give him a run for his money though. I always like to find a fast way to do things so when we have to dump our pile of ripped up tile into the dumpster he complains it's too heavy. I say there is no way I'm picking up those tiles by hand and throwing them in the bin so we heave that wheel barrow over the edge of the bin on three and every time we're done he tells me to straighten out his back so I jab my knee into his spine and pull on both shoulders and we're off to the races again. He tells me I have particularly big biceps for a woman. I suppose I do. We got into a deep discussion yesterday about drinking alcohol. I don't drink at all so I gave him my long list of reasons why. When I was speaking I said "....if I really wanted a treat, I'd drink chocolate milk" and lo and behold the man who doesn't eat about 4/7 nights a week because he can't afford it showed up with 1L of chocolate milk for me today. Too cute!
Anyway, if I didn't have big biceps before I sure will after all of this! Next week I'm hoping to get the two walls down that need to come down while the contractor does the bathroom renovations. Windows need to be ordered and kitchen re-drywalled and measured for new cabinets. That's the plan.....but then, life never goes as planned.
I listed the appliances on kijiji but my patience are thin for that kind of stuff. You want it or not? I'm practically giving them away so stop asking me so many questions and just take the damn things if you want them. I'm about to carry them out to the end of the laneway myself and stick a "FREE" sign on them.
Asbestos removal guys were in yesterday so we are free and clear of that stuff. And my contractor is coming Monday or Tuesday to go over what I need done. It always looks worse before it looks better. There are times I look at it and think "what the hell have I done?" but then I just start to laugh because that is what I say about most of the things in my life and somehow my life has turned out awesome so far. I am most likely way in over my head here but I'm 100% sure I'll figure it all out and everything will be fine because as my favorite saying goes "Everything works out in the end, and if it's not working out, then it's not the end."
I have met most of my neighbours. To the right there is an old Chinese woman who doesn't speak a word of English; however, I think I got it across that I am Natalie and I bought the house next door. She smiles and nods at me so I think we're cool. The neighbor to the left is awesome. She is just thrilled I'm not a slum lord. I took her and her boyfriend on a tour and they are cheering me on the whole way.
A dear friend of mine has been helping with the demolition. He is an old German man who lives on my street. Since I moved in I have never taken my garbage out or shoveled my own laneway. He insists on "taking care" of me. He slaves away at the house with me everyday. He talks a lot but I am wearing a mask most of the time so I can't really respond anyway. Actually, we are kind of funny together. He is a hard worker, that's for sure. I'd say I give him a run for his money though. I always like to find a fast way to do things so when we have to dump our pile of ripped up tile into the dumpster he complains it's too heavy. I say there is no way I'm picking up those tiles by hand and throwing them in the bin so we heave that wheel barrow over the edge of the bin on three and every time we're done he tells me to straighten out his back so I jab my knee into his spine and pull on both shoulders and we're off to the races again. He tells me I have particularly big biceps for a woman. I suppose I do. We got into a deep discussion yesterday about drinking alcohol. I don't drink at all so I gave him my long list of reasons why. When I was speaking I said "....if I really wanted a treat, I'd drink chocolate milk" and lo and behold the man who doesn't eat about 4/7 nights a week because he can't afford it showed up with 1L of chocolate milk for me today. Too cute!
Anyway, if I didn't have big biceps before I sure will after all of this! Next week I'm hoping to get the two walls down that need to come down while the contractor does the bathroom renovations. Windows need to be ordered and kitchen re-drywalled and measured for new cabinets. That's the plan.....but then, life never goes as planned.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Holy Flip, Here She Goes Again
Well, today my flip house is officially mine. Keys are in hand and I have been physically in the dwelling twice today wandering through scheming up various plans. I can't remember the last time I had to fight so hard for something. I'm not sure what that means but I am optimistic that this whole process, at the very least, will be one hell of a good time. I will admit that I had a moment of fear, which is very rare for me, when I entered for the second time today. This time was different because I was alone and not trying to convince someone how great it was going to be. Instead, this time, I visually scanned every baseboard, flicked on every light switch, looked in every closet, ran my hands along every wall and up and down every railing, opened the cabinets (only to be ripped out tomorrow), breathed in the scent of the old beauty, and sat staring into the space for at least 30 minutes. I think to really know what a house needs you need to "live" in it for a bit. And by that I don't mean you actually have to move your stuff in and live there but you have to feel it, walk in it's shoes for a bit. So I stood there just soaking the place in. It's got soul. I'll give it that much. But I knew that the minute I walked in. That's what sold me on it - soul. I love old homes. There is a certain feel to them that you don't find in new homes. I hope to preserve some of that even after it's renovated.
The whole thing leading up to closing was a complete shit show. I was assigned the worst underwriter ever at MCAP who made me jump through hoops to get my financing which resulted in a legal mess. My mortgage broker sent me a text the day before closing that said "I think I am more excited than you to close this deal and have it finally over with." First, the owner of the house died two days after I bought it. We were notified that there may be a delay in closing due to the reading of the will, etc. Ultimately, there ended up being no delay on their end. But then MCAP requested so many documents from me that they didn't have financing in place for me on the day of closing so we then had to request a delay in closing by 4 business days. On the fourth business day financing was still not in place and the vendor was threating to sue me for breach of contract. That particular day was a tad stressful but I was laughing again by the following day so not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. With the help of many people pulling off last minute stunts we pulled it together and I got the keys Friday June 6th. Exactly one week later than the planned closing date.
Lesson number one: when you request additional financing on your new mortgage for renovations the maximum that they will give you is the lesser of 20% of the purchase price of the home or $40,000.
Lesson number two: the money is held in trust with your lawyer until the renovations are completed and someone has come to assess that you actually did the work you said you were going to do.
Lesson number three: if you work with me in any way be prepared for things not to be normal.
Lesson number two - Are you for real!?!?!?!? I asked for the money because I don't have the money. So today I spent most of the day searching high and low for $40,000 to pay for the necessary renovations, which, by the way, is a very tight budget for the amount of work that needs to be done to this house. However, miracles tend to happen daily in my life so I am not too worried about it......yet.
So what's the plan, then?
This is a random shower in the kitchen. This section may end up as main floor laundry. Rotary phone still works though ;)
Bedroom. Almost perfect just as is.
I will renovate this house as quickly as possible and then list it. I suspect this will be sometime in August 2014. Not an ideal time to sell. Therefore, I plan to list it for just 2 weeks. If it does not sell for the price I want I will move into it for the fall/winter and list it May 1, 2015. Let's pray for a quick sale in August because moving is just another additional expense!
Game on!
The whole thing leading up to closing was a complete shit show. I was assigned the worst underwriter ever at MCAP who made me jump through hoops to get my financing which resulted in a legal mess. My mortgage broker sent me a text the day before closing that said "I think I am more excited than you to close this deal and have it finally over with." First, the owner of the house died two days after I bought it. We were notified that there may be a delay in closing due to the reading of the will, etc. Ultimately, there ended up being no delay on their end. But then MCAP requested so many documents from me that they didn't have financing in place for me on the day of closing so we then had to request a delay in closing by 4 business days. On the fourth business day financing was still not in place and the vendor was threating to sue me for breach of contract. That particular day was a tad stressful but I was laughing again by the following day so not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. With the help of many people pulling off last minute stunts we pulled it together and I got the keys Friday June 6th. Exactly one week later than the planned closing date.
Lesson number one: when you request additional financing on your new mortgage for renovations the maximum that they will give you is the lesser of 20% of the purchase price of the home or $40,000.
Lesson number two: the money is held in trust with your lawyer until the renovations are completed and someone has come to assess that you actually did the work you said you were going to do.
Lesson number three: if you work with me in any way be prepared for things not to be normal.
Lesson number two - Are you for real!?!?!?!? I asked for the money because I don't have the money. So today I spent most of the day searching high and low for $40,000 to pay for the necessary renovations, which, by the way, is a very tight budget for the amount of work that needs to be done to this house. However, miracles tend to happen daily in my life so I am not too worried about it......yet.
So what's the plan, then?
- Gut the kitchen and install all new cabinets, countertops and appliances. Rip out the random shower that's in the kitchen and possibly create a main floor laundry room. Add an island in the kitchen
- Refinish all hardwood floors and rip up tiles and linoleum that covers some of that hardwood
- Replace fuse panel with 100 amp breaker panel and re-wire entire house
- Construct main floor powder room where a random toilet sits in the middle of the hallway
- Replace all windows
- Knock down wall that encloses the staircase and main entrance wall to create a more open concept
- Rip the second floor sunroom right off the house
- Gut main bathroom upstairs and tear out linen closet to create a larger bathroom
- Return master bedroom to a bedroom. It's currently a half-assed kitchenette
- Replace all wood trim/moldings/baseboards/window casings
- Clean up the basement and outdoor shed
- All new light fixtures
- All new door hardware and some new doors]
- New plumbing throughout
- Rip up back yard fence and garden and create interlock patio (optional....only if money available)
My lovely kitchen. But it's a good size. I have lots to work with.
The upstairs main bathroom. It's missing a toilet. That is randomly placed in a room of it's own in the hallway. But I will rip out this bathroom and re-create it entirely so the toilet fits in the bathroom
The third bedroom. Jackpot. I found hardwood underneath!
Upstairs hallway. I LOVE the banister.
The second floor sunroom was a good idea but it resembles the Crazy Crooked Kitchen at the Museum of Science & Technology at the moment. Not worth salvaging. Just going to rip it off and drop it directly in the dumpster that will be below.
Here's the powder room. Just a toilet - no walls, no door. Just a toilet. BYOTP by the looks of it too.
Here is the dining room which I will make living space because the kitchen is an eat in kitchen. No need for a formal dining room.
Living room. I <3 this room.
Main bathroom part II - a toilet. Again, all by it's lonesome.
I will renovate this house as quickly as possible and then list it. I suspect this will be sometime in August 2014. Not an ideal time to sell. Therefore, I plan to list it for just 2 weeks. If it does not sell for the price I want I will move into it for the fall/winter and list it May 1, 2015. Let's pray for a quick sale in August because moving is just another additional expense!
Game on!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)