The Joys of home ownership

[yugogypsy]

Well the exterior of the house got painted a couple of years ago now. Still need to paint the chicken coop.

But the biggie is going to be renovating the bathroom, tub has to come out, toilet too right into my linen closet because of A)moisture damage B) rats and C) for CARPENTER ANTS and of course D is for D**N that's a lot of work, one whole wall to repair and then insulate and put back together, then put the fixtures back in and start on the other side with changing the counter, its too high.

And if I don't get light paint in this dark front room this year I'll scream:bawl:

It is downright depressing in here in bad weather.

Ditto for the hall. So hopefully that will get done. My bedroom could use another window and then paint, but we only have so many hours in a day and so many hands to help.

Take Care
Lois

[Pedata]

I'm just glad mine is paid off.

-Cass

[yugogypsy]

Me too. I inherited it.

They even did a survey from the tax dept. of the whole area and all our taxes went down a bit, which is great.

Little by little I am getting the crawlspace cleared out, the garbage is going and so is the scrap metal from the yard.

It's all been hidden from sight, but I got tired of the clutter in my backyard storage area.

Rick drew the garden plan last night and today we'll be deciding what to plant.

I'm not going to try to rush and do all the projects at once, the bathroom and this front room will do for this summer and if we have time to do the hall We'll paint it too.

5 days until we set the clocks ahead, maybe then I'll feel more like Spring has come, we had two hours of light snow yesterday.

Somebody please pray I win the lottery, then I can get a better hpouse and fix this CRACKERBOX up as a rental.

Take Care
Lois

[Pedata]

My place came with junk, also!
Two big piles, all in the runoff. So I moved one big pile to the other pile, better one than two (shades of alice's restaurant, lol). And over the years I've been throwing leaves and stuff over it. Plus it's been sinking. Nice.
One day, a thousand years from now, there may be some very happy archeologists.

And I used to be a landlord. :mad: Not fun. People seem to think that just because they are renting a dump (for very cheap) that they don't really have to pay the rent. Instead they spend their rent money on alcohol and take-out food. And some even ask you to lend them money! And they don't take care of the place. And sometimes they move out without telling you and leave a huge mess to clean up.
I will never be a landlord again, lol.

[yugogypsy]

Our junk piles are getting smaller. I have to go out and choose one of the THREE double sinks that are there to be installed when we get around to raising my kitchen counter.

A lot of what we have now is stuff we got to aid in the house renovation and build sheds with, plus a greenhouse and a gazebo.

But I've got a rusted out Datsun truck box trailer to be towed away and my Hyundai Stellar.

Fire Dept. is taking Stellar to bash up and use as a practice "Accident Vehicle" for when they use the jaws of life or put out a car fire.

The trailer is full of odds & ends of small junk, like electric heaters that died, and all the small bits of metal we've found.

Under the bottom shelf in my tool shed is a disaster-more scrap and broken tools that will have to be fixed.

Some of our spare winows will go into the sheds, I want one for the house and the rest could be used on the greenhouse.

Rick has been levelling the horse area with rocks and soil that he dug up when he took out a small wild cherry tree a few years ago and a lot of drain rock that was around it (it was in the area that used to be our "Patio")

So he's going to screen and wash the drain rock and put in buckets in case we need it for a future project.

There's so many small things to keep up with that the bigger things get put on hold!;)

But we'll get done someday and then I can look back on it and say "Remember how awful it looked?"

And if I ever rent it, I will be screening references very carefully!

Cheers,
Lois

[Pedata]

Yeah, if you rent out do a criminal and financial background check. It may save you a lot of grief.

[yugogypsy]

I definitely intend to do that. I've seen friends get shafted by bad tenants and I had 1 who was a drunk and after he pissed himself and fell out of the trailer he got the boot.

[Pedata]

Oh, and go with a lease. That way it's all spelled out on paper and they can't come to you saying "Well, we thought that.....blah blah blah".

[LIBRA]

I wouldnt want to be a landlord, ever!!!

I feel ya Yugo, Ive got TONS of stuff to do, and already Im worried about time and I havent even began yet! I dont stress over it though, Im supposed to enjoy it all, and if it doesnt get done, oh well. Of course I have to say that to myself over and over sometimes!!!

This weekend is yard clean up, and garage clean up. Getting my hives moved and cleaned up, electric fencing ran, raking leaves, sticks etc. Maybe have a lil bonfire. Pick up trash along the road, after the snow melts you find all kinds of crap in the ditches. Im gonna start digging holes for tree's too, they come in April from the convervation district. Hemlocks, Larch, Elders, witch hazel, American cranberry and I dont remember the rest? A few others. And Ive got 2 bday parties on sunday. So saturday is gonna be busy, I love it though! Feels great to get outside and work!!

[Unkle_John]

LOL not to further the conversation on rental properties, I'll start off with my recent story and end on the subject at hand.

Rental property, sheesh where do I start? My Great-Grandfather and Great Aunt were land lords of dozens of homes in the area where I grew up. When I was a teen and needed something to do for extra cash in the summertime, I would work for them cleaning and repairing their properties. After a few summers I had decided that I wanted nothing to do with being a landlord. 90% of the renters were just like Cass said, they spent their money on booze, drugs, and take out food. Many times they would skip in the middle of the night and leave a few "treasures" for us to find (note the quotes). There were a small percentage of renters that actually tried to clean up and such before they moved out and we were appreciative of them. Those where usually someone from his church that was down on their luck. Grand-Daddy was a very generous and lenient man, might be where I get it. LOL But still the bad out-weighed the good when it came to the renters themselves.

My current home is right next door to a rental property. I should have looked into that when I was looking at this house, but at the time the couple who was living there had been there since JuJu graduated from high school ('99). I've lived here for 5 years now and since that couple moved out, the house has had 4 families living there. The current ones are inching up to the worse neighbors so far.

So what's made them so bad? Well let's see, when the current neighbors moved in to this 2 bedroom one bath home, it was actually 3 families, 6 adults and 6-7 kids. I could never get a full count because there was ALWAYS people coming and going. Then one day in November, I noticed the fence between my property and the renters was burned, on purpose. You can read all about it here (http://unkle-john.livejournal.com/20851.html) (if it let's you read it). The landlord still hasn't fixed it, and what's worse is that they got dogs, dogs they don't care about, shortly after that. Well if you can't read the Live Journal post, there was mention of a high-school-drop-out-mother-to-be living there with the baby-daddy because she was kicked out of her house. Well after the new year started, 3/4 of the occupants moved out and left the son and new mother in the house along with their 3-4 dogs that fight all the time and harass my dogs through the fence anytime they can.

So that sets up the conversation for this weekend. We went off to the ranch to help paint the farm house, we left Friday and came back Saturday night. We come home to a party next door. No surprise, there always seemed to be a party next door with all of the cars parked out front. Well shorty after we get home (around 10pm) someone pulls up behind my car and goes next door. I wasn't too thrilled with that, party=drinking, drinking=driving, driving=hitting my car on the way out (and worse down the road). Now let me state that I am not anti-party or anti-drinking, but all of the people congregating over there looked like "thugz" as they liked to call themselves. But I had no other complaints because there was no music thumping or anything going on.

Now let me take a moment to say that we live in a small town. Small enough that if you have a party or any type of gathering at your home (especially if it's rental property, believe me everyone knows the rental properties around town) the local police (city and county) will "shark" the block and cruise the neighborhood in the hopes to catch someone and/or be ready to keep the peace when someone calls it in.

So around 1:30ish in the morning I hear the back door of the neighbor house bust open as people are laughing and carrying on at the top of their lungs. I don't remember what they were saying, nor did I care. I wanted them to shut-up and respect the neighborhood. This went on for a few moments then they went back inside. But it didn't stop there. They must have been watching the fights or something, because their voices grew louder INSIDE their house. Loud enough I could understand what was going on. Then around 2:15ish they took the conversation/fight out into the front yard. I think then the cops showed up or something because as soon as it started, it stopped and I heard vehicles cranking up and driving off.

The next day we went to the store to get groceries, I checked our property and vehicle and thankfully no damage had been done. I noted to JuJu that there was no one at home next door. We weren't even gone an hour, when we returned there was a truck (who I frequently see) parked not only in front of my house, but in the spot I park my car. I park my car in a certain spot, because I have no drive way (yet) and if I park it where guests park, it blocks the mail box and our mailman is too lazy to step out of the vehicle to put mail in the box. To top this all off, there was one... ONE car in the driveway next door. Why he parked there, I haven't a clue. But as soon as I stepped out of the car, he hurried out the door with his cell phone glued to his head, hopped in his truck and took off. Didn't say a word to me. Ingrate. Later that night they had another gathering, but much smaller. All during the evening I could hear the low dull of bass tones, just loud enough to give me a steady headache.

I swear, IF that house ever goes up for sale, I want to buy it and tear it down. I have made the landlord aware of all the activities and nothing has been done. The fence is still burned, I had to patch it so the neighbor's dogs would quit getting into my yard. One morning one of their dogs (when it was a pup) got in our yard and wailed half the night. I didn't know it was in our yard until right before I let our dogs out. I checked, if I hadn't, they would have been one less dog next door. My dogs would have killed it. So I scooped up the scared and shivering pup and walked over next door. I knocked at the full glass storm door and saw heads peaking around the corner of the hall until someone either got the guts or put some clothes on to answer. I handed the pup to the late-teen girl and said "This was in my yard crying all night, he came through the burned hole in your fence." She glanced at me, took the pup and said in a mono-tone-dead-brain voice "ok, thanks." then shut the door. The dog got in our yard 4 more times. Idiots

[Unkle_John]

Now to get back to what I was going to say about my home.

Our home is in pretty good shape for a house built in 1940. It's a pier and beam home with wood siding and a metal roof. The roof was one of the major factors in why we bought the house, it's around 1600+sq ft on a corner lot. We bought it for around $45k. The problems with this house is very minor compared to the one that we sold to move into this one. This house needs it's electrical wiring updated, it's still using that old heavy gauge wire that you have to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to bend. We have to use window units (not terribly happy about those) and we have this old floor furnace that keeps the house just above freezing in the coldest of winter nights. Oh, and there is NO insulation in the house, anywhere.

So we found out that there is Weatherization Assistance Program that an help us remedy on the insulation problem. Here are some links to the Weatherization Assistance Program:

Weatherization Assistance Program (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/)

How to Apply (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/apply.cfm)

State contacts (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/state_contacts.cfm)

On this last one, just click on your state and it will take you to the page or website set aside for your state's Weatherization Assistance Program. Now, this is for low-income people, the elderly, and disabled. JuJu and I are considered "poor", but if you were to actually look at how we live, you wouldn't know it. I'm going to be honest and tell you that I have been waiting a year now for someone to come by and verify that I have no insulation in my home. We are goign to get the maximum of $6500 for insulation and if there is enough left over, we'll get our old 1970's storm windows replaced. If we get to do that, I plan on making a greenhouse (if I get to keep the windows). If I don't get to keep the windows, I'll look for some free of off Freecycle.

But I wanted to let you all know about this program. It's an on-going program but you;ll have to possibly wait for anything to get done. I have heard on the local news that there has been a bottle neck in productivity due to government red tape. They also went on to say that only a total of 4 houses in the whole state have been done. Yeah, four houses.

[LIBRA]

We do alot of work for the weatherization program in our county, they got alot of money with the stimulas, or recovery act, whatever you call it. We have been so busy because of it. In october we put in a furnace everyday for the entire month, some days 2 in a day!! They replace old furnace with high efficiency furnaces, they are getting more money shortly for a new program.

My house needs a new roof, Id like a metal one as well. Gotta save up for it though. Other then that I have infloor radiant heat, a 95% eff modulating boiler, super insulation, new windows. Just need a roof, Id love a live roof, plants and moss! Im not sure if it needs to be flat to do that though? When I bought the house it had electric baseboards, so we put the new boiler and infloor heat in, which is sooooo nice. I use barely any electric and little propane. I was thinking about putting an outdoor wood boiler in, Ive been thinking about it for a couple years, I just dont know. Id rid myself of propane, except for my stove and dryer, but I dont use the dryer.

[Unkle_John]

I found out that our state is not really taking a "NO THANKS" stance to any govt. money, they are just making it harder for the citizens to obtain the funds. Hence all the red tape I mentioned. It's B.S. and who ever is doing it should be sued or jailed for defying the federal govt and denying the citizens of this country for help. I mean if we the citizens do it, it would happen to us. We help dozens of countries who eventually turn around and shoot at us, yet we can't take care of ourselves? Ridiculous.

Oh, to touch back on the renters next door. I looked out the front door after I got offline (around 6pm) and there was a city cop in front of the house. Not the first time I've seen a cop over there since they all moved in. I could hear muffled talking outside so I went closer to the sound. They were in the backyard talking (probably about the dogs). So I made sure it was a good time for us to let our dogs out so the cop could see the reaction of the renter's dogs. I heard him for the first time vocally correct his dogs. A big smile went over my face. About ten minutes later, I saw the cop leave with a clipboard under his arm. I wondered if it was investigating the late night brawl, but figured it was either a child welfare check or probation check-up. After he left, the thugz congregated out front of their place. I really wish they would leave and be gone.

Changing the subject back, something all home owners should look into is the Cash for Appliances Rebate Program (http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneymatters/a/cashappliances.htm). I have old appliances and I am considering doing this as well.

[Unkle_John]

Got a call this morning from the Weatherization Assistance Program. They are coming by to inspect the house to make sure I'm not lying about needing insulation. Let's hope we get it done and done before the hot summer days creep up on us.

[LIBRA]

Awesome!!! Hope it all goes well!!

[yugogypsy]

I checked and checked and triple checked, up here in nasty old Canada
there are no programs I qualify for.

This property is in limbo, because I have 3 half-siblings 20+ years older than me that I can't find. Until I do, and they say they don't want it. I can't probate. I've been stuck in this state for 9 years.

My lawyer advises just to keep the place in order and carry on living here unless one of them show up to contest the will.

So that's what I've been doing. But now there are all these repairs to be done, sheds to be built outside. I also want to build a studio because my crafts have outgrown the house.

I have had the guys collecting lumber and we're just about ready to put up the greenhouse over a series of their days off.

Having both of them working is great for cash flow but bad for getting things done around here.

Oh well, maybe I'll get a job too, then we can buy some of the materials we need.

HA HA-who would hire a walking twig with no teeth. But I wish I was working.

Sure would help the house dilemma, looks like we'll be doing things as money becomes available, good thing a lot of it is inside and can be done even if its the middle of winter.

:)Lois

[Unkle_John]

I'm livid right now.

The guys showed up, did all the measurements and wrote down model numbers on my appliances and ac units and then the boss showed up. He informed me that since the attic has no door to close it off (it's not made to have a door), then they classify the house as a two story and the govt. won't allow them to work on it. So they gathered their stuff and just left.

I'm at a loss for words. I waited all year for them to finally come out and get this started, and they won't because of the upstairs portion is classified as a second story, though it is not livable up there.

:35:

[LIBRA]

Im sorry John!!!! Is there anyway to put a door on it?

That stinks, I hope there is some way around it.

[yugogypsy]

What an utterly stupid little clause in the paperwork.

I guess making a trap door is about all you can do and then try again

Hugs
Lois

[Unkle_John]

I contacted the state office to find out.

I read through their online policies and even their technician guide. The Tech guide's first chapter was "When NOT to Weatherize..." and in there is no mention of two story homes. I even looked on what the closest thing I could find for an application and no where does it mention it either.

[yugogypsy]

LOL, I've been ill, that is why no posts from me, but now I'm back and have to say there is STILL as much work as previously mentioned because the guys won't do the repairs, or paint, or weed and I'm still too weak to do it.

Latest problem is water, lots of iron crud in the well, so it is reserved for washing us and our stuff, and we're packing water from the neighbour's

I hope everyone is well.

Libra, Unkle John, Pedata, thanks for being supportive of my threads.

Take Care All
Lois

[Unkle_John]

Glad to see you back Yugo!

Well I have some good news about the Weatherization problem (on page 1). The state sent some people out to verify my claim and ruled I was in the right. The evaluation crew came by and did all sorts of tests and such and it looks like we won't know until Nov or Dec if we are approved.

The outlook seemed positive and it looked like the house didn't need as much work as I had thought. I did find out we DO have R-13 insulation in the exterior walls. I was happy about that. Also found out that the house may classify under "Historical Preservation", and the floor furnace might be pulled out and a new house unit installed. We are VERY happy about that possibility. I hate that floor furnace. It's dangerous, it's actually pulling down on our floors, it only heats the one room, and we have to crack a window to make sure we don't suffocate in our sleep from the fumes.

So I guess we'll have to wait a few more months before I know what's going on. I can wait though, I'm a patient person.

[yugogypsy]

Hi John,

Up here, building code says R-20 in exterior walls and R-12 in interior walls, R-28 in ceiling (IF you have 2X8 ceiling joists)

I had Rick rip into one exterior bedroom wall:bawl: EVERYTHING-walls and ceiling R-7--BRRR, no wonder I'm cold all the time.

Going to get some R-20 on "payday" and fix that before I freeze. Making a new room off my bedroom, ripped out a closet and am using the short piece of my upside down "L" shaped room to do this, it will only be a 6X8 room, but will be warm!

I'm glad you were able to have a re-assessment done. I wish you and Juju, all the best will it.

XXOO
Lois