A few months ago, two houses across the street went up for sale. The owner was a very elderly man who moved into an assisted living situation. The houses were run down, and were on the market for 70k each, as is.
A builder bought both houses for 62k each. As soon as the ink was on the paper, he went to work. There has been a steady stream of construction workers for about a month. And these people work 7 days a week, sun up to sun down. Nothing like the sound of power tools at 6:30am.
Both houses have gotten complete makeovers, including:
Roof
Vinyl Siding
Windows
Flooring (all hardwood in one, and hardwood/carpet in the other)
Kitchen
Bathroom
Closets (the houses are over 100 yrs old...so no closets)
I have to tell ya, I am a little envious. My house got a new roof in 2008. But beyond that.....
To have two houses across the street that for all intense purpose are brand new....it gets ya thinking. One is on the market (as of today) for 180k; the other will be 198k once it is finished. My friend is thinking of buying one. Without going into details, she needs to move, and this would be a good fit for her family. But I am so jealous that she may have a brand new house....across the street! I would be happy for her....but sad for me.
I just needed to whine for a minute. Whine over.
Whine and whine...let it out...I'd feel the same way. In fact, I have felt the same way...
ReplyDeleteThat SUCKS.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you could be happy for your friend--a lot of people would find it tough.
Sometimes it's hard when other people have nice things, and you can't. I experience this a LOT. It's even hard for me to read PF blogs because the bloggers have nice houses, cars, travel the world, and so on. It feels bad.
Sometimes you can bash that envy down with just one small improvement. We did a super low-budget upgrade of our kitchen counter tops last year for around $700. It brightened up that part of the house immensely. One room down .... six more and a yard and garage to go...
ReplyDeleteWe do small improvements each year. Currently we are remaking our son's room. The next big project will probably be resurfacing the deck.
DeleteLast year we updated the bathroom.
the good thing is that it increases the value of your house as well
ReplyDeleteNot really. If a next to brand new house will sell for 180-195.....someone would look at my house that needs a kitchen update, refinish the floors, new porch, new windows....and would pay LESS because of the money they would have to put into it.
DeleteThis is unfortunately true.
DeleteWow, $62K to $180K-$195 in a little over a month. What do houses in your neighborhood go for?
ReplyDeleteRight now, we have alot of houses for sale, and one in foreclosure. Most are on the market for under 190....and that is why they are still on the market. It is too high.
DeleteI am guessing that 180 is probably what things would sell for, but most of these houses need some kind of work.
These "new" houses are going to throw things off. And 2 people are going to end up with a brand new house for a steal!
Free flowers for your garden:
ReplyDeletehttp://ginaskokopelli.com/facebook-freebie-three-annuals-from-flower-power-farm-in-east-windsor/
I know how you feel. My bf who lives on my street just got a brand new kitchen and a beautiful bow window. I know I got new windows last year..but her kitchen is so nice. But I am happy for her...so whine away..we all feel that way sometimes
ReplyDeleteJudy
Hubby says I have "old house syndrome." Some things...no matter what you do...will still give off that old vibe.
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