(no subject)

[kcobweb]

I have a lengthy to-do list in front of me, detailing which tasks go on which day for the rest of the week. I'm pleased to say I've made today's phone calls (I hate the phone so so much). We're both up and dressed. I'm having lunch with a friend today, plus running a few errands while out. Tomorrow we each have appointments (a 9-month check for the EB, more birth control pills for me, woo!). Friday the weather is supposed to be waaaaay better, and I'm thinking about going *shopping*. (I've done a lot online, but there are things that mustbe gotten at bricks-and-mortar stores. It has to be done at some point, and I'd rather go on a weekday.) Monday the furnace gets inspected.

Last night, a friend came by - actually, a former roommate - and he has expressed interest in buying our house!!! I pointed out to him that, much like it was for us, if he bought this house there would be no surprises - good or bad. We've lived in this house for 5 1/2 years, and he lived here for.... 3 years, I think. Anyway, it's exciting - I like the thought of him living here, and he would fix it up and make it pretty (he's an architect). This house has so much potential, and frankly, we've been lazy bums and have not gotten off our asses to paint, or strip woodwork, or do the floors..... My mom has a realtor friend, and I'm going to see about asking her about a market analysis of similar houses in the area, and then determining a fair price for this house. We bought it three years ago (for a song) - even with no fixing-up work done on it, the price has probably risen a little bit.

Okay, I'm a little bit boingy. I wish it weren't a bazillion degrees below zero today.

Comments

[xen-opus.livejournal.com]

Boingy is good.

I hope the former-housemate works out wrt buying up your place. That sounds like it'd solve a lot of problems at once.

It's dagfargin freezing out here in NYC, too. Or rather, it's cold for NYC -- about 28 degrees.

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

Wuss.

:)

[saltcod.livejournal.com]

Ditto. :)

[saltcod.livejournal.com]

Good louck with all this. I think you should indeed be able to make a fair little extra off your house sale--prices being what they are. I haven't seen your house, but cosmetic stuff like you describe? Not much of a problem.

Are you looking to rent or buy once you move? And is there anything I could try and do for you while I'm in the vague general vicinity?

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

We will almost certainly be renting. We're not sure we'll be staying more than a few years, the real estate market is particularly bubbly there (according to D), and well, prices are a little steeper than what we're used to. :)

Thanks for the offer of help - but I think our first move will be scouting neighborhoods, and then looking for possible places within those areas.

[heef.livejournal.com]

Paint and stuff is good. Stripping woodwork - may just not get you your money back. I'd have a long talk with your realtor and do some good Martha Stewart or HGN searches on the web about what raises your home's value and what doesn't. Remember that the new owners will have their list of stuff that they like and don't like, and they're going to re-paint things and redo floors and stuff.

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

I only mention the woodwork because there are places - like some door frames and what not - where the paint is seriously chipped.

When we first moved into this house, every surface was painted or wallpapered, and every single room except the kitchen has carpet - much of it a shit-brown shag deal. It's *hideous*. Yet, there is most likely real wood under the carpets (you can see it in the closets), and where that woodwork paint has chipped, you can see gorgeous wood there too. (The one thing we've managed to do here over the years is to de-wallpaper the bedrooms.) This house has gorgeous bone structure, if you will, and just needs some cosmetic spiffin' up. (Well, it needs some more serious spiffin' up too - like insulation and so forth - but that's not as readily obvious.)

[allthatjazmyne.livejournal.com]

Would this be the housemate I know, who I went to elementary school with, whose initials are EG? (As opposed to your other friend who I went to elementary school with, whose initials are GE. And after knowing them for over twenty years, I just noticed the similarity of their initials. I'm slow.) Anyway, I think he'd do great things with the house. Yes, it's old, but it's a great starting point, and it's a fantastic neighborhood.

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

Got it in one. :)