Learn Something

Every real estate transaction is a learning experience. My limited experience says no two are alike. What you choose to do with those experiences ranges from learning to take everything with a grain of salt to learning to take everything with four shots of tequila.

Yesterday, after dealing with a (literal) flood of problems from Trading Up, my broker opted for the Tres 80 proof dinner. Yesterday I was very happy to work in bomb disposal and not in real estate.

Today the waters have receded (again literal) and I can only hope the damage is minor enough to make it to close on Monday.

Who said this place didn't have a pool?!

Making Lists

I love making lists. Lists live in the future and in 2013 I am practicing living in the moment (this will take another whole post, but just go with it for now), so lists are somewhat counterproductive to my practice. Closing is in 10 days and so far I have gotten a loan; paid delinquent taxes...more on that later too; ordered surveys, home owner's insurance, power, water, cable, HVAC and sub estimates; and scheduled the movers, all without making a single list!   

I really deserve one, little list don't ya think?! I'm actually feeling a little guilty, like parents who take reels of pictures of their first kid and only a shoebox full of the second. Harbor Farm reno was rife with lists and Trading Up hasn't gotten a single one. Perhaps because I've only ever spent 30 minutes inside. Seriously, I deserve this...

Reno To-FREAKING-Do List:

• Buy fridge
• New windows
• New flooring (laminate to tile)
• Raise "condo kitchen" soffit
• Replace kitchen sink
• Replace stove and microwave
• Replace kitchen countertops 
• Reface guest bath shower
• Expand master bath
• Paint exterior
• Add U-shaped, oyster shell driveway

Phew! I know I feel better.

1/27/13 Update...I spent 90 minutes at the house with the subcontractor this morning. The whole list is totally shot. Now I'm super glad I indulged, but it really proves the whole living-in-the-moment thing!

Getting to Close

I have at least 15 blog posts titled "Getting to Close." I actually hear those words in my sleep. 

By the way, that's 'close', as in, 'Close the front door!', not, 'Back up, you're way too close!'

Anyway---closING is February 4!!! This will be the first closing I've ever had that was actually on time, not to mention negotiated early! Getting to close early on a bank-owned property is not-so-common, so I am pretty thrilled all parties involved got on board with the 30-day window, and we WILL make the date.

Because all cute little vacation rentals need a campy name, the new house, located on Tradewinds Drive, is called 'Trading Up.' The pun perfectly fits the house...and what it took to get here!

Corner Lot

The house is big compared to my past homes, 1900 sqft., but another oversized corner lot makes it a lot like Harbor Farm (i.e., much yard to mow). It was built in 1957 with an addition, sometime in the 1980s, nearly doubling the size. 

Like any home buyer, I had a list of "must-haves" for purchasing vacation rental property in Central Florida. Must have charm, must have garage, must have screened lanai, etc. Trading Up has none of those things. What it does have is location, and location always wins.

She does have some charming little features though: 

Built-in Bookshelf

Big Bay Window

Slanted Counter and more Built-ins

Cute French Door

But that's pretty much where the charm ends. It's going to take some effort to take Trading Up from ranchette to retreat, but I could not be happier about Getting to Start!
  

 

Counter to Counter to Counter Offer

You know how the saying goes, "the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location." Real estate is also about money...and waiting.

Today there is much waiting, because it's Friday---and if you don't hear "anything" by close of business on a Friday, then all you do is try not to think your future all weekend.  Of course any other weekend would not be consumed by thoughts of one's future, except if you're waiting for the response to your final offer on a house you've been staring at for the past 5 months.

You can see yourself in this house. You can see the molding coming off and the crappy laminate coming up. You can see the wall that divides the master bath and the closet coming down. You can see the oyster shells for the new driveway being poured. You can feel the muscles of your back spasm-ing just trying to get out of bed after you removed all that laminate by hand.   

But today all you can do is wait.

Don't Bet the Farm...Sell It!

This is the fourth time I've written this post without publishing it. Patience is not my strong suit. Recently I read if you ask God for patience, He will only give you more opportunities to practice it...I no longer pray for patience. 

So for those of you that don't know, Harbor Farm is sold!!! 

The house was listed in August and had a buyer before the sign was even put in the yard. It has been on the typical real estate roller coaster ever since. Then life went on a little roller coaster ride of its own, but the house finally closed and it's time to find another project!

I have been struggling (all my life really) with where to live. Fortunately, my parents have always been very supportive and embrace the opportunity to visit no matter where I land. Usually school or work answers the question of where to live for me, I pack the red suitcases, rent a truck, send a group email and I'm off. Now the universe has turned the tables and the decision belongs to me. 

Maybe the question will never get answered and I'll get to retain my vagabond lifestyle until I finally make platinum-diamond-studded-dipped-in-dark-chocolate frequent flyer status. Or maybe I'll just buy another project, move in, and appreciate wherever I am and being surrounded by friends.

A great big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the Harbor Farm rehab and encouraged my first flip!!! There wasn't much time at Harbor Farm, but it was always filled with laughter, friends, fabulous food, and amazing wine---and so too will be the next place.

5 Dec 2011 - 18 Dec 2012

Everybody always asks what I learned or will do differently next time. Aside from the actual tricks-and-tips of the reno work, there are only two 'lessons learned' I really take away form the overall experience; (1) Don't hire a GC, and (2) Don't ever EVER think living with your parents for "just a few weeks" in between flips is a good idea...not ever. Love you Mom and Dad!

One last note...I'm keeping the blog, but it will probably get a new title. Keep reading!

Farmhouse Dining

Or 'Every Girl Needs a Pocket Jig'.

You know you've finally "moved in" your new place the first time you cook a meal, or in my case, build furniture. After so many months of sawing, nailing, caulking, and painting to bring the house back to life, it is time to furnish. But furniture is expensive and I've contributed enough to Ikea stock this year. Besides, shopping for furniture is time consuming and nothing is ever quite what I want (probably another blog post in that metaphor somewhere).

Until I moved to Florida, furniture consisted of three suitcases and DIY coffee tables long ago passed down to the next generation of grad students. Tools are also an issue. I have none. Slowly G&D have been stocking the toolbox, but fearful of not being needed to complete projects (or the loss of my fingers), Gus avoids gifts of power saws.

A quick trip to the Pawn Shop (I just love saying that) solved that problem. If you've never been to  a pawn shop, you should check one out. They're pretty cool. Granted the shopkeeper wears a Glock and has to eyeball you head-to-foot before unlocking the door, but really unique stuff and great deals.

Here are pictures of bringing the new, counter-height, farmhouse dining table to life:

Inspiration Table

Old boards found in the barn

Cedar legs

Slightly tapered

New Pocket Jig!!!

What Is Not to LOVE?!

Not to shabby...

Shabby Chic that is.

Eventually it will make it inside.

Celebrating Success---with homebrew of course!

 

Last Room on the List

It has been awhile. Not for lack of effort though! The finish work on the front porch has taken longer than expected, but it's almost finally done. Done enough at least to where I have wanted to tackle other projects. Finishing work included tightening the screens (we're not professionals you know!), adding the kick plate, the bar (of course), and getting furniture (merci Targét).

It brings me tremendous pleasure to now be able to read Wine Spectator while watching the traffic and local drug deals.

Southern Charm...

Meets Functional!

Another project included replacing the old, rotten fence in the backyard. More expensive than labor intensive considering all the posts were already set (and obviously more termite resistant than wooden panels).

Old Fence

New Fence

Sometimes it's nice not to have to wave to your neighbors from the bathroom!

It hasn't been all DIY though. The subcontractors were happy to return for 2 days of much needed window installation on the side porches. Now the nicest windows in the house, these lovely sliders with Colonial detail replaced the scary, filthy, drafty louvers (or jalousie depending on what part of the world you're from). Doesn't matter, either way I'm sure it's French for ugly.

Hideous

  

More Hideous

They're actually even cuter since I painted the bare wood.

Super Cute Screen Door Too!

But the biggest project in the last few weeks was the last room on the list, the kitchen. Work in the kitchen involved replacing the countertops and adding the slate backsplash. I love the slate Gus and I put down on the kitchen floor and was instantly attracted to a "mini" version for the backsplash. For several months I was set on installing concrete countertops, but the period and style of the Farm just couldn't support that style. Maybe for my next project!

Hideous Lavender Laminate

Beautiful Classic Butcher Block

And let's not forget about that backsplash!

So Complimentary with that Floor!

This space has come a LONG way. One day there might even be cabinet doors!