What's happening ?!

When you purchase a used home, no matter what type of home, you are going to find; someone else's idea of pretty - isn't yours! You will find issues that were either known or unknown, that you will then be responsible for, and more to the point...you will find things that do not work for you and your needs. I have always said that when you buy anything used....you are buying someone else's headache!

That brings us to our dilemma that began our year. We had a Winter storm blow through here in January with 60 mph winds. Those winds sent several shingles blowing into the next county, and showed us pieces of siding that weren't in good shape. Let's not forget the bitter cold temps most of the country has experienced this year. Our home that has been toasty the last 2 Winters that we have lived here....was NOT this year. Then you throw in the outstanding cost of propane late last year and so far this year. I feel like we have been living in a barn, and one that isn't very well insulated. Our master bath and bedroom have stay about 20 degrees colder than the rest of the house and let me tell you....you don't linger in either of them any longer than absolutely necessary!

So, my dear husband and I began putting numbers together for a complete remodel. Needless to say, aside from being intimidated by the vast amount that needs done...the numbers are just as intimidating(if not more so) than the projects themselves. After MONTHS of figuring, having the roof and siding issues come up unexpectedly, and going from a room-at-time project list to an entire house remodel...we are somewhat ready. I have searched web sites, gone to building supply stores, called other stores, priced entire project list supply sheets, planned for SOME unexpected issues, figured a budget, and still managed to keep some order to our household.

We have done 2 other big projects since we bought our house. In May of 2013, we build a 14 x 16 covered deck in about 5 days. In September of 2013, we gutted my kitchen and rebuild it with custom cabinets in about 5days. So, we are now gearing up for a complete house remodel over the course of about 3 months. The project list, although intimidating right now, looks like this: Gutted master bath and master closet - rebuild new master closet, build new linen closet, re do master bath to be functional and brought into this decade(new shower, new flooring and scraping popcorn ceiling included). Gut master bedroom-add new insulation, drywall, windows, scrape popcorn ceiling, new carpet, new paint and trim. Gut living room - new insulation, new windows, scrape popcorn ceilings, new drywall, new carpet, new paint. frame center beam(we have a manufactured home). Gut dining room - new insulation, new windows, new drywall, scrape popcorn ceilings, new floor tile, new paint & trim. Gut the princesses bedroom - new insulation, new windows, scrape popcorn ceiling, new drywall, new carpet, new closet, new paint and trim. Gut J's rooms - new window, new insulation, new drywall, new carpet, new closet, new paint & trim, scrape popcorn ceilings. Gut Laundry room and Bath 2 - New insulation, new windows, new drywall, new tile floors, new paint & trim. These projects basically have about 6 weeks to get finished. Then we start with a new addition to our home, then move on to a new roof, new siding and a new outdoor wood stove with boiler. When we are finished, we will have basically a new house, better insulation, a roof that doesn't leak, siding that isn't falling off, and heat that isn't costing us an arm & leg, and an interior of our home that is functional and will finally allow me to get stuff organized.

In case you didn't follow the repetition from above...there are popcorn ceilings throughout our home, there is paneling throughout our home, and the previous owners lived here for 22 years and did NOTHING to upgrade it. We have owned this home for 2 1/2 years and it's now time to upgrade. Our 24 year old home needs serious and immediate attention. So, instead of having it paid off in 5 years...it will now take us 12 years. Still not too bad, considering most home loans are 30 years or longer.

So, until we are finished, these blog posts may be really sporadic. Wish me luck....this could be interesting!

~Sal