Part 1: The First List of Repairs
When we bought this house, we knew it was a fixer upper. Certainly not terrible as far as fixer uppers go, but during our final walk-through even our realtor said to us, “I hate to say this to you guys, but you’ve got your work cut out for you with this place. Good luck.” So, here’s our list of the most apparent and/or urgent things we noticed we would have to fix.
First and foremost, we noticed that all the flooring needed replacing. Between pet damage, being considerably dated, and/or a shoddy, incorrect installation, it had to go. We decided we would be replacing all the trim for the floor and doorways as well, due to the pet issue.
Second, the master closets truly left something to be desired. One was rather odd in its shape (see photo, who does that?), and the other seemed more like a broom or coat closet in size. For fork’s sake, BOTH of our KIDS’ bedrooms had better closets than ours.
Third, we planned to remodel the master bathroom to maximize the space and rid ourselves of the dated, urine-colored shower stall, and the dreaded oversized tub. I don’t think anyone ever truly uses these tubs that claim a ridiculous footprint, yet it’s advertised as an amenity.
We also wanted to install a double vanity, a lovely feature we have come to enjoy in previous homes. By removing the tub and relocating the shower stall in its place, we were able to move (and expand) my dear husband’s closet. It’s actually a very similar square footage, but the space is far more efficient in the new layout.
This also resulted in more square footage (hello double vanity possibility) for the sink area that the closet was previously encroaching upon. I just LOVE his and her closets, don’t you? I prefer my closet a certain way with a certain level of organization. Sharing a closet tends to inhibit such ideals.
Fourth, we noted that the water system was showing its age, likely at the end of its life. This was the first project we took on, for obvious reasons. We replaced the dated (and disgusting) water filtration and saltwater softener system with a top-notch water filter and salt-less softener system from Springwell. No more sodium-infused, fart-smelling, severe staining water for us, thank you.
Side note: just because your well water passes inspection for the sale of the property, doesn’t necessarily mean safe to drink or that it won’t cause health problems. Did you know that during a well water test, the ONLY thing they are required to test for is total coliform and E. Coli bacteria?
Apparently our society is still not concerned enough about heavy metals, PFAS, microplastics, or other harmful, potentially deadly microorganisms enough to require a test that covers those as well for home purchases. Nevermind the multitude of studies that have proven the harm of these contaminants. You can read more about that here.
Fifth, when we finish the work in our bedroom, we plan to move out of the in-law suite in the garage and turn it back into a garage. Once I had a garage, I never wanted to go without one. If you know, you know. If you don’t, one day you’ll understand. It’s a hangout spot, quick access to tools and car maintenance, and extra storage, to name a few benefits.
Sixth….the godawful paint job. From sloppy painting, to painting straight over nails, holes, bumps in the wall, and the duct tape holding the front door weather guard on. Then there’s being able to see the paint color underneath as if they had used watercolors…yikes.
Not to mention, I recently learned that the color yellow apparently makes my husband angry. Unfortunately for him, that color is on the majority of the walls to include the kitchen, hallways, living room, and dining room. The kids rooms, however, are both painted a depressing, dull, grayish-lavender color that they don’t even like.
Seventh, there’s just updating and modernizing that needs done. For example, when we moved in, there was an under the cabinet radio, which was popular in the 1980’s. (Yes, that’s 40 years ago now.) Part of the face of it was melted to give it character I guess.
The under-cabinet mounted microwave didn’t work, and the appliances looked like the same ones that had been installed when the house was first built over 20 years ago. I can understand that though. Appliances are expensive. Use what you have until it breaks. But why does it always have to be Frigidaire? Likely answer: it’s probably the cheapest. They certainly perform like they are in my experience.
Ditto for the basic, plain, laminate countertops, dated ceiling fans (one of which is inoperable, just collecting dust), old light fixtures, you name it. It is like a house frozen in time. Never updated, a number of things that were never properly repaired, etc. Just slap some different paint on it and sell it. Like putting lipstick on a pig.
We also had our work cut out for us outside. All manners of trash were just thrown into the woods and brush. Everything overgrown, widow-maker trees1 galore, poison ivy, sumac, oak growing on everything, sucking the life out of healthy trees. In many areas, the brush was so thick, even my husband’s DR Brush Mower couldn’t hack it. Enter Cletus, the sawn-off push mower turned beast.
To date, I’ve counted 8 tires, countless beer bottles and cans, wads of random trash, broken toys, 4 busted and rusted bikes, a mangled trampoline, Rubbermaid bins full of nasty blackish-green pond water, and a bunch of other crap.
We spent months clearing out all of that trash, then the brush, then the dead and rotted trees waiting to fall on us as we walk the property. We also rid ourselves of an army of this invasive, foul-smelling species of tree called a “tree of heaven” that attracts spotted-lantern flies.
If you don’t know what those are, they are pests that attack healthy trees in swarms, and have a kill-on-site recommendation placed on them by environmental organizations. Get rid of their favorite tree (tree of heaven), you get rid of the spotted-lantern fly main attraction. While it is likely that you will still spot a few of them now and then, it seems logical that it will be in far fewer numbers.
Once we finish the cleanup and clearing process, we will be refurbishing the land with grass, clover, wildflowers, and groundcover plants. And we will finally be able to starting planning where we can put our garden, food forest, plant more evergreen trees, and establish an outdoor entertaining area.
On the bright side, it made this house one of the more affordable in the area, and it was just enough of a fixer-upper that most who viewed it didn’t want it and the others put in bids much lower than ours. The previous owners mayhem and mishaps made it possible for us to acquire it and thus be much closer to family. I call that a silver lining.
- Widow-maker=trees that are waiting to fall and unexpectedly and fatally crush you at any given moment. ↩︎
Musecal Mind 