Why would someone do a remodel and not really want to? Well sometimes we get backed into a corner and just have to dig our way out.
Nine years ago we purchased a doublewide home for our daughter. Now don't jump to conclusions and think that we are financially independent. Not even close. We are retired and every penny counts. At the time we purchased the home for our daughter both my husband and I were employed with good jobs, both girls were on their own and our home was paid off and we were ready to save a bit more for retirement. We never considered the purchase of an additional home for vacation or whatever. We were happy where we were and looking forward to retirement.
Our daughter had several health issues and couldn't work, her husband also had health issues and wasn't able to work full time. They had a young son, a new house, new car and needed to cut expenses. And a daughter one on the way. After several rental houses they realized they were never going to get on their feet living in questionable areas in run down houses. They were at the end of their rope.
My husband, SweetiePie, suggested rather than help them pay their expenses we should invest in property for them with the understanding that after two years they would take over the property and it would be theirs to do with as they wanted, except for selling. That would be a joint decision. SonInLaw found a nearby property, a double wide with almost 2 acres, a small pond, a stick built 2 car garage and close enough to the full time job he had just started. Everything seemed great. Oh, and another daughter made a family of 5.
The double wide was for sale from the estate of a woman who died of cancer (not in the house) and had been on the market for a while. Needed some work, but overall in pretty good shape. We made an offer and it was ours.
Fast forward. Daughter has her medical issues pretty much under control and has a full time job. SIL is still employed full time. Grandson is in the Army and just got married to a real sweetheart, love my "new" grand daughter. The two girls will be in the same middle school this year and they needed to be closer to their school, moms work and a better commute for dad. The family moved to a house closer to the school and daughter's work.
What to do with the house? They washed their hands of the deal and moved on.
Did I say they had dogs inside? A Golden Lab and various other dogs over time, two cats and one lizard and had accumulated lots of "stuff" over the years. Lots of wear and tear on the carpet, floors, walls and bathrooms.
Once I looked at everything from a new buyers perspective I knew that in order to get our investment back we would need to renovate and update almost everything. New roof, new windows, new kitchen, new bathrooms, new flooring, new paint. Whew...that's a lot of new.
Well I made the big decision to tackle the renovation and get the house in good shape to sell for a good price. After all it was our money tied up and we needed a profit. I say I made the decision because about a year ago my SweetiePie was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia along with the Parkinsons he had already been diagnosed with. I knew it would be a challenge but I was willing to do what it took to keep from selling at a loss.
This is our journey in getting the house ready to sell. I say our journey because my Sweetiepie travels with me 2-3 times a week, 52 miles one way, to work on the house. He asks me every day why he has to go with me. "Why do you need me?" Because you are my partner and we are on this journey together and this is just a little bump compared to the other things going on in our life. I call him my sidekick when he asks why he has to go. I'm a trained Certified Medical Assistant and I work from home selling on ebay in order to take care of him and earn an income so we can't just move in to the other house and finish the remodel. Wish it was that easy. Ebay kinda insists that I get the sales out on time.
So, I hope I don't bore you with all of the details. If anyone has a better way to do something please speak up, I have an open mind. I have already researched a gazillion things on the internet to find out how to do things and how not to do things. I am a firm believer in reusing any and everything. I am a regular shopper at Habitat for Humanity ReStore and thrift stores.
Buckle up, there will be lots of ups and downs.
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