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Fixing Up My House to Sell or Rent

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A Journey to Fix up My House and Make it Saleable... or Rentable

You know those shows on TV where they come into someone's incredibly disorganized and messed up home, take everything out of a couple of rooms, divide it into Keep, Trash, Sell and then redo those rooms so they look just dazzling?

That's what I want to do, only Bigger! And alone - just me! But with your help, if you want! Not physical or financial - you (dear readers and viewers) would be my motivators, my cheering squad and my Idea people, too.

Welcome to my journal and my journey to fix up my house!

As of August 12, 2009, the Laundry Room has been worked on!

As of August 30, 2009, the Master Bedroom has had some work done! Not all that I want, but it's a start!

As of January 11, 2010, I've got some quotes for work on the kitchen. Let's see if I can dig up the money!
Important!

The Albatross...

I've known for some time I wanted ... no, needed... to move out of my house. With my sons going and gone, it's just too big and too much work, even though it's only 1000 square feet.

What I have been wanting to do is ditch the house and find a smaller place, with no yard -- or - better yet - buy a small RV and hit the road for awhile, and then if that doesn't work out, or once I get bored, find a smaller place to live.

But there is this albatross of my own making around my neck. My house.

Room by Room

This is a list of the Rooms - I'm making, a Lens for every room, though some are needier than others!

Worked on so far - Laundry Room.

(Still to be given their own Lens: Bathroom, Family Room - for now, they're on the Main Page only!)...
Fixing up My Laundry Room
This is where I started (August 11, 2009). One tiny step for mekind....
The Outside - Fixing Up My Yard
This is the Lens that shows the Outside -- more pictures ...
Most likely this will be the last area to be done. Why? Because it's the Outside -- the roof needs to be done, but not badly - so Spring or Summer of 2010.
Fixing Up My Kitchen
This is the lens for my kitchen AND pantry - with the details on what needs to be done, what is being done and how...
Fixing Up My Living Room
The first room people enter -- second impression (after the outside)... this tiny room will need some serious staging help after it's cleaned up.
Fixing up my Master Bedroom
My Master Bedroom is Master by 1960's standards -- but I have some ideas once my 18 year old gets off to school......
Fixing Up My Second Bedroom
The second bedroom may not need as much work -- but it needs some.. see what it needs...
Fixing up My 3rd bedroom - guest room - office
A tiny room, but with many possibilities --this needs a tidying up but most of the work is in the presentation!

Monthly To Do List

Sort stuff from one room by "Trash", "Keep" "Give or Sell"
Throw out stuff nobody wants, not good enough for Goodwill
Make HUGE pile to sell at yard sale or on E-bay.
Let relatives have first dibs
Sort keep furniture from yard sale - Goodwill
Wash clothes for Goodwill
Take stuff to Goodwill

To Do List

Cleaning wise

I'm putting this to the top because when I look at the pictures of my house, and then see the lists by room of major changes, the first thing I want to do is shout at myself that I need to do the things on THIS list first.

Well, I know these things have to be done! They are separate from the repairs and such listed on each of the rooms - but I want to make a To Do list to make sure this is also addressed and clear as stuff I know needs to be done.

And then I will go lie down.
  • Along with the sticky list -- Clean clean clean, room by room (I'm already starting!)

Help on cleaning and sorting because -

as you will see

I am not the world's best housekeeper -- probably not the worst..

sooo many things I'd rather be doing, but.. it's time to clean house and sort things out!

These are some GREAT lenses == now I just need to follow through on the HELP they offer!
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Corner edge where I fight with weeds on a regular basis - and lose 

The Outdoors

Whether I'm selling or renting, these are the kinds of major repairs and upgrades that would be ideal to be made OUTSIDE. The Outside is SOO big that I have a separate lens for it -- The Great Outdoors with even more hideous photos - that's where I'll keep anyone who is interested posted on what needs to be done to improve this area, and what I'm doing.

I need to do these thing cheaply ... see why I would rather go do something fun?

The total cost of this as I see it is way over my budget, so they'll be some creative trimming done here... (mostly the last item can't be done - I have no garage, a down point).

Partial shot of front yard and driveway... 

Some of the Kitchen - Dining area  

The Kitchen

From what I read, this is one of the rooms where you get the most back for what you put into it. And my poor poor kitchen needs a lot put into it.

So much needs to be done that I made a lens for it and the Pantry too - The Kitchen and Pantry Lens is here

It has a little walk in pantry off of it which needs to be redone totally - it used to be my laundry room, but when I made my Garage into a Family Room, the Laundry Room went over there.

Obviously needs to be cleaned out and thoroughly cleaned.
I'd love to change it into a bathroom connected to the Master Bedroom.. that would solve a lot of problems but would cost a bit. If I'm going to rent -- I won't do that. Sorry renters!

Bathroom -- can't get in to take much more - shower on the left... 

Bathroom

Second most valuable room in the house

Ours is another point of trouble...if selling...

I hate baths, I never use them, I'm a shower person. And the bath is teeny tiny, probably 6 x 5 if that.

So, when I had the bathroom redone 4 years ago, I had the swing door replaced with a sliding door and the bathtub replaced with a shower.

Another reason to put a small bathroom in the master bedroom, and make sure it has a tub, no matter how small it is.

But if I rent, then this won't be an issue...
  • Paint
  • Replace lighting over the mirror
  • New toilet seat

Living Room - somehow it looks better in person... 

Living Room

OK Size but those windows...

These windows have been a curse since I moved in -- I had window people look at them and they kind of shook their heads.

So, I think they should just be left as is.

You can visit the lense for the Living Room to see more pictures and comments on what needs to be done.
  • Refinish the very nice original wooden floors (here and all through the house).
  • Paint the walls a nice off white.
  • Patch the ceiling and any marks in the walls

Another view of the living room..not much better, is it? 

Some information on things I need to do

Here's a little research, done for me by you.. I really like the piece on Renewing the wood floor... I might try it.. I have all winter!
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Master Bedroom Photo 

Master Bedroom - just part of it - I'll shoot again when the teen is gone..it's an invasion of privacy right now!

um, well

Right now this is my teenage son's bedroom. He'll be back at school in a bit........
  • Refinish the floors
  • Closets need walls
  • Paint the walls

Hallway

Even hallways need work... in my house's case, especially hallways need work...
  • Electrical wiring in the halls don't work.. never have, I've had an electrician in twice... they work and then they stop.
  • Refinish the wooden flooring
  • The floor is warped here, have it looked at...
  • Doors for the end of the hallway... where the heater and water are.

Second Bedroom Photo. 

Second Bedroom -- there's more to it but here's the color.

what can I say.. these closets are so small... This is the only room where I did NOT put in the sliding door -- I got tired of the construction and then I ran out of dough.
  • Refinish wood floors
  • Closets need walls
  • Paint walls an offwhite color
  • Decide about the door.

3rd Bedroom Photo 

Guest Room - 3rd Bedroom

This room is so tiny

It's more like a closet but we have squeezed a twin bed in here...right now it's the storage room for yard sale stuff...
  • Closet - needs walls
  • Paint walls
  • Refinish flooring

Family Room Photo 

Family Room - office - teenage hang out - awful wall color!

formerly the Garage

I know - I gave up the garage and they usually still look like garages. This one doesn't. We live in it. Too much stuff in it, though, it looks cramped.

I used to have an office elsewhere, now this is also my office.

I'll make a separate lens for this soon!
  • Paint the walls! I did this spongy thing and liked the dark look, but it needs a light color paint on the walls.
  • There is a huge hole on one of the walls, it has to be fixed.
  • Patch the hole on the wall where our pet gerbil (may he rest in peace) decided to make a home. when he escaped once (we caught him, he's not in there) .
  • Have carpet professionally cleaned.
  • Make the window bigger-- the window is tiny - I think I did this because my son's father had a habit of poking about too much when he came to gather our son for a visit . A bigger window out would give the room a less cozy/claustrophobic look (depending on your interpretation).

Laundry Room Photo 

Laundry Room

off the Family Room

You can go here to see changes made in The Laundry Room

This is a huge storage room or a small laundry room. I keep my bedroom bureau in there since there's no room in the bedroom.

If renting, I'll leave the washer and dryer.
  • Clean out
  • Paint - it's the same color as the Family Room

Some things I thought might come in handy...

As I figure out what goes and what stays....
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Improvements Most Likely to Help If I'm Selling

Which Improvements are Most Likely to Get the Changes that Will Most Help Me Sell The House?

1

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Clean out your junk!

Call up your local junk removal service and have them take out all of the stuff you are no longer using that is doing nothing but cluttering up your garage or being unsightly in your yard!2 points

2

Vote Up
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Kitchen

New Counter tops1 point

3

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Kitchen

New flooring1 point

4

Vote Up
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Adding a 2nd Bathroom

even if it's tiny...1 point

5

Vote Up
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Energy Efficient Window & Door Replacement

Energy efficient sliding doors and windows will help the future tenants save on electricity.1 point

6

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Garden Fixer Uppers

Bird houses make great additions to any lawn or garden for an inspiring nature experience.1 point

7

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Sweet Home Details

Sweet home decoration furniture and other cool details for decoration.1 point

8

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<a href="http://bladesharpeners.net">Best blade sharpening tool</a>

Best blade sharpening tool and equipment.Professional and amateur tool for sharpening.Make your knives scary sharp.1 point

9

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Improvements on the Outdoors

Mowing, pruning, etc.0 points

10

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Improvements on the Outdoors

A new roof, gutters, etc.0 points

11

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Electrical Wiring

Anywhere in the house, a must do!0 points

12

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No changes, just cleaning up and organizing

That would be the best "investment"0 points

13

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Refinish those wooden floors

0 points

14

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Painting the interior neutral tones

would go a long way0 points

15

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Put in that carport in back

a house without a garage is like a.... well, you need a carport.0 points

16

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Floor Cleaning Help & Tips

http://www.floorbuffers.com/floor-cleaning-help-and-tips.htm0 points

17

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0 points

19

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http://www.nantucketwalk.com

Nantucket Walk provide stylish luxurious rooms & apartments rental in Gainesville & Orlando. The two bedroom flats are designed for college living and at Nantucket the entire college experience is held in very high regard.0 points

20

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humbertsanitary.com

Grease Trap Cleaning - Services for Septic Tank Cleaning & Repairs0 points

21

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jewelocean.com

wedding ring sets - real jewelry at affordable prices0 points

Some words of encouragement? A lense to suggest?

Park it here, just don't clutter me!

submit
  • Reply
    Cliff May 31, 2011 @ 1:37 am | delete
    I'm really impressed with your dedication and effort upon making over your house. The pictures sure require a lot of time for the job.

    electric tankless hot water heaters
  • Reply
    ellengapz Feb 10, 2011 @ 11:11 am | delete
    Read my reviews about Home Improvement and Kitchen Countertops
  • Reply
    HomePropertyManagement Jul 18, 2010 @ 7:31 am | delete
    I've always heard the best place to put your money is the front of the house for curb appeal, first impressions are very important. Trim the trees and put on a fresh coat of paint. Do a little landscaping and you're on the way. As for the inside, rent a storage locker and if you don't need it regularily, put it in storage. Open spaces with the lights on before each showing makes a huge difference. There is even candles that smell like cookies to give your home a great smell. Use all the senses to your advantage. Good luck!
  • Reply
    Ramkitten Jul 24, 2009 @ 10:34 pm | delete
    I think this a great idea, and I look forward to seeing how things go AND how to how great they're going to look. I'm lensrolling this and featuring it on my own home remodel lens.
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DAnnieB

I'm a bunch of different things, expressed here and elsewhere. Mother*, grandmother, mother-in-law, small business woman, Quaker, single woman, caretaker,... more »

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