I am so pleased with the progress of our landscape. With a steady schedule of a few minutes here and there working in the yard, it is starting to take shape. We have a long way to go, but as we drive up to the house it actually is starting to look park like with our massive lawn all tidy and neat.
I have been out manually cutting back blackberry brambles and under brush from the edges of the lawn. The blackberries take over so quickly, it is hard to keep up without using some sort of chemical. I have a problem with using chemicals to kill them off though. I don't want to add any more chemicals to the land than is absolutely necessary. So I'm out cutting them back, then I'll dig up the roots. It is really hard work, I don't need to hit the gym this month! But I'm thinking of hiring a bulldozer to finish off the job. We'll have to see if it's in the budget next month. For now I'll keep the clippers handy.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Junk Mail
I have received no less than 10 credit card offers, equity home loans, and refinance offers in my mail box this week.
It makes me wonder what my credit score is when I receive an offer of a home equity loan for $125,000. Is it good? I should check it out. It might be an option now that we are working on our house. We don't want to put a lot of money into the house as we get it ready to sell, but if we made major improvements to the home maybe we'd get the money back when we sell.
I could use some advice.
It makes me wonder what my credit score is when I receive an offer of a home equity loan for $125,000. Is it good? I should check it out. It might be an option now that we are working on our house. We don't want to put a lot of money into the house as we get it ready to sell, but if we made major improvements to the home maybe we'd get the money back when we sell.
I could use some advice.
Choosing Color for Paint Project
I walked the isles of the paint store looking at what seems like millions of different choices in paint. How am I suppose to know what color to choose? I'm not a decorator. Sure I live in this old house, and I chose the colors over the years. Colors? White, off white, white linnen, and beige, and warm beige. I've been so daring!
Now I want color. Not warm beige, but real color. Red. I think not. Cranberry? Probably. Apple green? How many shades of apple green are there? Who likes apple green? I do. Does anyone else? I am sure I can't sell a home if I paint the walls apple green or cranberry.
I've been looking at paint stores online. Behr has an informative, interactive website. Look under the 'inspiration' tab for ideas. Or look under the 'explore' tab for coloring your own room. First you need to register for the service. It isn't free, it is $4.95 one year of service. This is fun, you upload photos, then you choose colors to paint your room. What a great service.
I still haven't decided what colors to choose for my own house. Before I can make that decision I still have to figure out if we are moving or if we are staying here. No need to put out the money for my favorite colors if we have to paint again to sell.
Now I want color. Not warm beige, but real color. Red. I think not. Cranberry? Probably. Apple green? How many shades of apple green are there? Who likes apple green? I do. Does anyone else? I am sure I can't sell a home if I paint the walls apple green or cranberry.
I've been looking at paint stores online. Behr has an informative, interactive website. Look under the 'inspiration' tab for ideas. Or look under the 'explore' tab for coloring your own room. First you need to register for the service. It isn't free, it is $4.95 one year of service. This is fun, you upload photos, then you choose colors to paint your room. What a great service.
I still haven't decided what colors to choose for my own house. Before I can make that decision I still have to figure out if we are moving or if we are staying here. No need to put out the money for my favorite colors if we have to paint again to sell.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Cleaning Windows
I'm a little late with my spring cleaning chores. With the beautiful sunshine streaming into the house it was very clear I needed to clean windows.
I mix my own window cleaner by mixing equal parts ammonia and rubbing alcohol in a hand held sprayer bottle. Spray the windows and wipe down with a lint free cloth for streak-free windows.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Happy Father's Day!
There will be no working on the house today. We worked hard yesterday and even though it is Father's day, we all deserve a break.
This old house has seen many father's days come and go. Most years we all got together here and had a big family gathering. BBQ ribs are always a favorite in our house.
Maybe we won't sell this old home after all. I can always hope we don't sell, but if we do, I have fond memories to last a lifetime. I hope the next family living here will have as many happy memories as we have.
Happy Father's Day!
This old house has seen many father's days come and go. Most years we all got together here and had a big family gathering. BBQ ribs are always a favorite in our house.
Maybe we won't sell this old home after all. I can always hope we don't sell, but if we do, I have fond memories to last a lifetime. I hope the next family living here will have as many happy memories as we have.
Happy Father's Day!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Landscaping On Our Own
My family is all in on the landscaping project today. It's exciting to see what we can accomplish within a couple hours when we are all working together. We have been moving rocks, cutting back shrubs, hauling in top soil to fill in some of the low spots in the yard. The curb appeal is far more appealing now than it was a couple weeks ago. It's hard work and we are hungry. This is probably a good night for pizza and a movie at home. Although, I could use a good soak in the hot tub.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Painting Project on Hold
We are putting off painting for now. I'm not sure when it will get done, but we ran into some problems with the project, so it's on hold.
However, not all projects are on hold. It is really beautiful outside so this is perfect for some landscaping. I've been watching some of the sell your house shows on HGTV, DIY, and Discovery Home to get some ideas. Not many of them deal with what needs done outside the house.
Anyway, it's nice so I'v been working outside today doing what I know needs done. I wish I could hire a professional landscaping company, but that isn't in the budget. We don't want to go into debt to build equity in the place. I know, if we sell, the debt would be paid off. But if we stay here, then we have to figure out how to pay it off. That doesn't make much sense to me.
However, not all projects are on hold. It is really beautiful outside so this is perfect for some landscaping. I've been watching some of the sell your house shows on HGTV, DIY, and Discovery Home to get some ideas. Not many of them deal with what needs done outside the house.
Anyway, it's nice so I'v been working outside today doing what I know needs done. I wish I could hire a professional landscaping company, but that isn't in the budget. We don't want to go into debt to build equity in the place. I know, if we sell, the debt would be paid off. But if we stay here, then we have to figure out how to pay it off. That doesn't make much sense to me.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Dining Room Make Over
Change is in store for my dining room. I'm looking for a dramatic change on a budget.
Paint is one of the easiest ways to make over a room in a short time and stay within a budget. I'm excited to see the end results even though I didn't go as dramatic as cranberry red, or royal purple. That would be dramatic! I'd love to have cranberry red walls!
The dining room walls are prepped and ready for a fresh coat of paint. I chose a warm shade of beige for the walls. If we stay here and I don't care for it, I can always paint another color later. If we decide to sell the house, I think this is a good basic neutral color buyers will like.
Paint is one of the easiest ways to make over a room in a short time and stay within a budget. I'm excited to see the end results even though I didn't go as dramatic as cranberry red, or royal purple. That would be dramatic! I'd love to have cranberry red walls!
The dining room walls are prepped and ready for a fresh coat of paint. I chose a warm shade of beige for the walls. If we stay here and I don't care for it, I can always paint another color later. If we decide to sell the house, I think this is a good basic neutral color buyers will like.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Outdoor BBQ Grill
We worked outside for awhile today. I'm exhausted to the point I don't really want to continue with the renovations on our own, but I know doing it ourselves will save us a lot of money. Sweat equity can pay off in the thousands on some projects.
After reviewing our backyard living areas I think we are missing out if we don't install a backyard BBQ. We have a grill, but I want a big backyard kitchen. I wonder if it will increase the value of the property enough to justify adding it. Right now it's on the list with a big question mark behind it.
That means if we are going to continue living here in our old country home, we will probably build an outdoor kitchen. If we decide it is best for us to sell out, we won't build it.
The indecision of it all.
After reviewing our backyard living areas I think we are missing out if we don't install a backyard BBQ. We have a grill, but I want a big backyard kitchen. I wonder if it will increase the value of the property enough to justify adding it. Right now it's on the list with a big question mark behind it.
That means if we are going to continue living here in our old country home, we will probably build an outdoor kitchen. If we decide it is best for us to sell out, we won't build it.
The indecision of it all.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Curb Appeal
Every day we work on this old house. It feels like nothing is accomplished at the end of the day. I need a plan, maybe even a check off list. There is so much to do inside, but it's sunny outside, so I think we should be working on the yard or deck.
If we are going to sell I know we need to improve the view from the street. The real estate agent calls it curb appeal. If we are going to keep the house I want to improve the curb appeal for me. I want to have something to look forward to going home to at the end of the day.
Things we need to do to improve the curb appeal:
If we are going to sell I know we need to improve the view from the street. The real estate agent calls it curb appeal. If we are going to keep the house I want to improve the curb appeal for me. I want to have something to look forward to going home to at the end of the day.
Things we need to do to improve the curb appeal:
- Trim the landscape hedges and keep the yard manicured.
- Power wash the deck.
- Stain the deck.
- Clear out the kids clutter in the yard. It should be contained and neat.
- Add a few flowers in pots near the front entry.
- Paint the trim around the windows.
- Replace the porch lights with something other than standard lights.
There is my basic list for curb appeal for our home. Once we get working on it I'm sure we'll come up with more things to do.
Welcome to Our Old Country Home
Our old country home has been in the family for many generations. Through the years we have experienced many joys and blessings in this old home. But the home is in great need of renovation. We are in the process of renovating it.
When we first started the project we thought we might sell this home and buy another home. Possibly even a condo in the city. But as we continue the renovations this old house is starting to look very nice again. Now we think we might stay.
We don't know if we should stay or move. A new condo would be wonderful. No more yard work is tempting. But as I said, there are generations of memories in this old house we've called home for years.
When we first started the project we thought we might sell this home and buy another home. Possibly even a condo in the city. But as we continue the renovations this old house is starting to look very nice again. Now we think we might stay.
We don't know if we should stay or move. A new condo would be wonderful. No more yard work is tempting. But as I said, there are generations of memories in this old house we've called home for years.
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