My carpenter hurt his back today. I'm sure that this will put him out of commission for at least a few days at best. Those pesky back injuries never heal quick. He must have pulled a muscle.
I can't get a damn paint estimate to save my life. I can't even get a return phone call. The one guy that I did get an appointment with, cancelled. I'm seriously thinking of painting the guest house myself. It will be tricky with the baby, and I really hate to take time from other things that I could be doing, like shopping for flooring and the finishing touches. I'm going to have to make some more phone calls tomorrow and see if I can get someone. Maybe I'll have to arm the kids with brushes and see what happens...lol. But seriously, I'd better think of something quick as time is a tickin'.
On a more positive note. The plasterer showed up today as promised. I really like him. He has the board being delivered tomorrow and hangers scheduled for Thursday. He says that he'll definitely be done by Saturday. I really need painters in here on Sunday.
Still haven't chosen paint color yet, but hopefully tomorrow I'll nail it down.
It's been pouring for 2 days straight. Think the rv sprang a roof leak. The kids were pulling wet Pokemon cards out of the cabinet today. I'm not even going to bother fixing it. I just want out of here. Pronto.
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
14 Days and Counting
I got the insulation sign off yesterday!!! The guest house is now oficially ready for drywall and plaster. I got a few estimates about a month ago when I was blissfully ignorant thinking that it would only take a week or so to get the ground dug up and utilities in. I absolutely must finish before the start of school September 7th. I called one of the drywall contractors, my first choice, and he told me that he wouldn't be able to get to it until next week. My second choice said probably Thursday and that the job would be complete by Saturday. I'm not sure if I beleive him or not. He is supposed to come by this afternoon to measure, hopefully he shows. I don't have any room for error. Even if he does come through as promised, I will only have about a week to do finish carpentry, paint, flooring and get in there. I'm not sure if I will make my goal.
I really need to make some final choices on finish. Up to this point I havn't taken much time to think about this stuff because I have been so preoccupied with the other aspects of the job.
I know that I will do wood flooring in the main space. I am tired of red oak in a natural finish. I like maple, but it is too soft. I was thinking of going with bamboo, but my builder friend said that it scratches easily, with 5 kids that obviously won't work. I do know for sure that I"ll do pre-finished wood flooring. I would like something in a nice reddish or cinnamony tone. Maybe I'll check out Lumber Liquidators tomorrow and see if they have any good deals.
I have no clue what direction I will head with wall color. I need to choose a color for the main part of the room and another color for the bath. I was thinking maybe white wainscotting with a blueish/greeninsh shade up above for the bath. Either that or a rich beige to compliment the Espresso bath furniture.
One thing is for sure. I am going to have to really focus on nailing down my choices by the weekend, as we will be going great guns next week to wrap this thing up before the start of school.
Let the race begin.
I really need to make some final choices on finish. Up to this point I havn't taken much time to think about this stuff because I have been so preoccupied with the other aspects of the job.
I know that I will do wood flooring in the main space. I am tired of red oak in a natural finish. I like maple, but it is too soft. I was thinking of going with bamboo, but my builder friend said that it scratches easily, with 5 kids that obviously won't work. I do know for sure that I"ll do pre-finished wood flooring. I would like something in a nice reddish or cinnamony tone. Maybe I'll check out Lumber Liquidators tomorrow and see if they have any good deals.
I have no clue what direction I will head with wall color. I need to choose a color for the main part of the room and another color for the bath. I was thinking maybe white wainscotting with a blueish/greeninsh shade up above for the bath. Either that or a rich beige to compliment the Espresso bath furniture.
One thing is for sure. I am going to have to really focus on nailing down my choices by the weekend, as we will be going great guns next week to wrap this thing up before the start of school.
Let the race begin.
Monday, August 23, 2010
$$$ My Money Pit $$$
So as I mentioned earlier I am in the middle of an extensive renovation with 3rd floor and basement additions. Here's a pic of the house.
Interior photos
I'm working on the garage now. It was a fairly big project, getting the utilities over there from the main house. We had to dig up the backyard. We had to dig a seperate trench for water - 5' deep, sewer - 4' deep (apparantly a sewer line can freeze, news to me), gas 2' deep, and electric 18" deep. They all need specific spacing as well, but the biggest concern is making sure that your water and sewer are 10' apart. Of course, if your as crazy as I am, and attempt to undertake a project like this you'll find all this out anyhow, because you'll more than likely be required to get an engineering plan. The big lesson learned from this project is DO NOT attempt to dig the trenches by hand. We started out digging and realized that it was a foolishly exhausting waste of time. About half way through I rented a trench digger. It is about 2' wide and we used that for the remainder of the digging. There are some places that it won't reach and the one that I had would only go to 4' so we had to do the last foot ourselves.
Now that the utilities are done and signed off (phew). I have to get the insulation signed off and and close up! I'll post interior pics of the guest house tomorrow. I have so many finish decisions to make now; flooring, paint colors, tile, cabinetry.
I have already purchased this toilet space saver and a vanity and mirror to match. I really like the dark wood. I need to figure out the color for the bathroom walls.
This is an excellent example of what I am leaning toward for the bathroom floor tile.
I have to hurry up and make some decisions time is ticking.....
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Me and the Fam
I am 35 years old. I am a bi-racial female. My mom is white (French, German, Irish) mix and my dad is Bajan (Barbados). I have 5 kids. I adopted 4 kids when I was a single parent at age 24/25 when they were infants and they are now 10,9,9,9. My 3 boys were born and adopted from Guatemala (I'll tell more about my Guatemalan adoption story later) and my daughter was born here in the States. I have a set of twins and my daughter is 3 months younger than the twins. My belly baby is 13 months old. I got married 3 years ago, hence the age gap.
We live in Brookline, Massachusetts. I have lived all over Boston and grew up in a few rough neighborhoods including projects at one time. My mom is originally from Southie. She grew up during busing when racial tension was high. She actually tried to pass me off as a white baby when I was first born with my green eyes to avoid being called a "nigger lover".
Besides motherhood, which really is a full-time job into itself. I have been a real estate developer since I bought my first property at 22. I have done many condo conversion buildings, rental properties and a I did a pretty large HUD foreclosure deal a few years ago. I now own and manage a bunch of rental units in Pittsburgh, Pa. You can pick property up in some parts of this country, like Pittsburgh, fairly cheap and profit from the rental.
Throughout my 13 years in real estate I have learned many things about renovating, flipping and landlording. I was a single-parent of 4 young kids throughout most of my time. But, my biggest accomplishment was simply surviving the market crumble, completely unscathed.
Throughout my 13 years in real estate I have learned many things about renovating, flipping and landlording. I was a single-parent of 4 young kids throughout most of my time. But, my biggest accomplishment was simply surviving the market crumble, completely unscathed.
What's Going On Now?
I am in the middle of a pretty huge (by some people's standards) renovation. Yes! girls can renovate....and Yes! black girls who grew up "around the way" can renovate....and.....guess what else folks? We can do it successfully...and...with kids! Imagine that.... This isn't news to everyone, but I catch a lot of crap and aggravation at times just because of who I am and what I do.
Well, ok, I'm not full black, I'm half black and half white. Although as we all know by America's standard black is black, so although I am sticking with bi-racial, as that is MY reality, black, white, mixed, call it what you want.
Anyhow, I sold my condo 2 doors away and bought this gut rehab project. We needed more space. The condo was fine with the 4 kids and I, but with a new husband and a new baby, we were bursting out of the that thing. So, this place has 2 units that I am combing and also going through the ZBA to get a "special permit" to add a third floor. I am also renovating the basement into a rental unit and the garage into a really fabulous playroom that actually looks more like a guest house.
Where am I living with the kids while all of this takes place you ask? My mom is aways good for a brilliant idea. This time it was the rv. Yes, we are in a 1984 rv. Fleetwood, to be exact. Me, the 5 kids, hubby, and my cat, "Sassy". We have another cat "Harley", but he is an outsider- roams the neighborhood all day and comes home for food. The rv was actually supposed to be temporary housing, VERY temporary, like 4 weeks or so tops, but of course, much to my dismay this construction project has held true to the old rule of the thumb, more time and more money.....honey.
The initial plan was to get the 2nd floor of the new house done, and frame the roof. I figured that I could probably get this done at the speed of light and get in there. Then I could focus on getting the rest done around us once we're in. But of course one hold up after the next (I won't get into the boring details) and here we are 4 months later still in the damn rv. Plus, I have to get through Zoning for the new roof, which in turn holds up the entire job. You can't get anything done without a good roof over your head.
Yes. The rv sucks. Bad. We have hot water, bathroom and such, but it doesn't make up for the space constraint. Thank goodness it's summer and the kids can go out and play. I wouldn't have done this in winter anyhow. It just wouldn't be feasible. We cook all of our meats on the grill outside and the starches and veggies in the microwave. Truth be told, I really feel guilty about complaining about the rv too much as I know that there are many families who are permanently in a situation like this. Although the bottom line right now is that I'm used to a different much more comfortable way of life. I will have a new appreciation for having a nice home again....once I get in there. But first, the guest house.
The new plan (as the old one has gone to crap) is to get the guest house done. Stay in there while I get the 2nd floor roughed (framing, plumbing. and electric in place). Then once I get through the ZBA (hopefully successfully), frame out the new roof and finish up the downstairs and get in. My zoning hearing is at the end of October. I had to go to the ZBA because I was short about 3 feet of land on each side of my lot. I was a pretty bummed that I had to go through Zoning because I thought that I would be able to add the 3rd floor by right. It's the wasted time that kills me more than anything. But, what can you do? Nothing. You just have to go with the flow and hope for the best.
Today was a pretty good day. We are almost done insulating and I am hoping to get the inspector in to check the insulation in the guest house hopefully by Tuesday. We'll see. If all goes well we can close up by Wednesday or so. Fingers crossed.
Well, ok, I'm not full black, I'm half black and half white. Although as we all know by America's standard black is black, so although I am sticking with bi-racial, as that is MY reality, black, white, mixed, call it what you want.
Anyhow, I sold my condo 2 doors away and bought this gut rehab project. We needed more space. The condo was fine with the 4 kids and I, but with a new husband and a new baby, we were bursting out of the that thing. So, this place has 2 units that I am combing and also going through the ZBA to get a "special permit" to add a third floor. I am also renovating the basement into a rental unit and the garage into a really fabulous playroom that actually looks more like a guest house.
Where am I living with the kids while all of this takes place you ask? My mom is aways good for a brilliant idea. This time it was the rv. Yes, we are in a 1984 rv. Fleetwood, to be exact. Me, the 5 kids, hubby, and my cat, "Sassy". We have another cat "Harley", but he is an outsider- roams the neighborhood all day and comes home for food. The rv was actually supposed to be temporary housing, VERY temporary, like 4 weeks or so tops, but of course, much to my dismay this construction project has held true to the old rule of the thumb, more time and more money.....honey.
The initial plan was to get the 2nd floor of the new house done, and frame the roof. I figured that I could probably get this done at the speed of light and get in there. Then I could focus on getting the rest done around us once we're in. But of course one hold up after the next (I won't get into the boring details) and here we are 4 months later still in the damn rv. Plus, I have to get through Zoning for the new roof, which in turn holds up the entire job. You can't get anything done without a good roof over your head.
Yes. The rv sucks. Bad. We have hot water, bathroom and such, but it doesn't make up for the space constraint. Thank goodness it's summer and the kids can go out and play. I wouldn't have done this in winter anyhow. It just wouldn't be feasible. We cook all of our meats on the grill outside and the starches and veggies in the microwave. Truth be told, I really feel guilty about complaining about the rv too much as I know that there are many families who are permanently in a situation like this. Although the bottom line right now is that I'm used to a different much more comfortable way of life. I will have a new appreciation for having a nice home again....once I get in there. But first, the guest house.
The new plan (as the old one has gone to crap) is to get the guest house done. Stay in there while I get the 2nd floor roughed (framing, plumbing. and electric in place). Then once I get through the ZBA (hopefully successfully), frame out the new roof and finish up the downstairs and get in. My zoning hearing is at the end of October. I had to go to the ZBA because I was short about 3 feet of land on each side of my lot. I was a pretty bummed that I had to go through Zoning because I thought that I would be able to add the 3rd floor by right. It's the wasted time that kills me more than anything. But, what can you do? Nothing. You just have to go with the flow and hope for the best.
Today was a pretty good day. We are almost done insulating and I am hoping to get the inspector in to check the insulation in the guest house hopefully by Tuesday. We'll see. If all goes well we can close up by Wednesday or so. Fingers crossed.
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