We’re selling our house. We’ve lived here for just over 5 years. It’s been a great starter home. We’re ready to move on.
Our house was listed for about a month in February/March of this year. Then we pulled it off the market in anticipation of Josh taking another job. When that didn’t happen, we relisted our house in late April and it still sits for sale today. We’ve had a pretty steady flow of people in to see it, with the exception of some dead periods right after the tax credit expired at the end of April. But we can’t complain… it’ll happen sooner or later.
Last week we had a couple present an offer through their realtor. After three days of steady back-and-forth offers and counter-offers, we walked away from negotiations. The potential buyers had some legitimate concerns about some of the exterior issues with the house. We decided that even though they weren’t offering enough money to make a deal, that we would remedy the concerns anyway, making the house more desirable to the next potential buyers that come along.
One thing that was brought to our attention was this:
I know, right? Eeeek! I say “brought to our attention” because the brick veneer has been that way since we moved in. It hasn’t shifted or become worse; it was no doubt installed that way. It became just the way our house was and we didn’t see it.
All across the top of the brick, the grody insulation peeked through. Not the best impression to potential buyers, I’ll admit!
Yeeesh. Looks a bit problematic, no?
The only thing was, we had no idea how to fix it! So we called my dad.
He came over – actually, gave us his whole weekend – and fixed it up right. I don’t even know entirely how he fixed it, all I know is that it looks awesome now!
After:
Josh still needs to do some caulking, but it looks so much better! The sad thing is, buyers won’t even notice it because it looks the way it’s supposed to look… I wish it carried a bigger impact for as much time and skill Dad put into it. Oh well, we know how great it is.
Hey, Babby!
Cuteness.
Ahhhh, much better. Josh will be fixing/replacing the crapped out gutter/downspout, no need to mention that… he’s got it under control. And while we’re at it, do you see those flowers?
My father- and mother-in-law also gave of so much of their time – all day, really – last Saturday helping us out. My mother-in-law and I went to the local greenhouse and bought some flowers. She helped me plant them in the whisky barrels I’d neglected for 5+ years, and do you know what? They look so nice! It was the first time I’d planted flowers in my adult life. Only after they were in the soil did she mention they need to be watered once or twice a week. Boo! Maintenance! What a raw deal! Oh well, I think I’ll manage. Besides, it sounds like a great project for the boys.
Check it out, suckas! I’m getting to be more of a lady each and every day. Except, I doubt a lady would call her friends ‘suckas’. Oh well, they say Rome wasn’t built in a day…
We also painted the front door and installed a new exterior light:
Back to more of the repairs… we had boards of siding on the east side of our house that were showing moisture, and a window casing that was rotting out (we didn’t even know about that until the people who offered on the house put a hole in the wood while they were inspecting it). I didn’t get any pictures of that, even though that too was an awesome, seamless repair by the guys. Here’s the siding as it is now in it’s primed state (we’ve purchased the house paint and will be tackling that this week):
I can’t even begin to tell you how much help we’ve asked for and received from both sides of our family over the years as it relates to our house. They’ve saved us literally thousands of dollars. We are so grateful! Josh has picked up some skillz in the process of home ownership, too, which can’t hurt.
That said, we’re all thinking the next house better not need ANYTHING!
Wowza, Jamie! Color me impressed.
Love the fix of brick, door paint, flowers and little nose pressed against the glass!
Wowey wow wow. That all looks great! Good job Dad! And also, I LOVE the door color! But can’t figure out why I wasn’t consulted on the color. You did a great job regardless!
I might have consulted you 3 years ago when we actually bought the paint. =)
Sarah, go back to your room. Play with your toys and your costumes. Forget about the baby.
easy on the Labyrinth quotes
So, the Labyrinth is a piece of cake, is it? Well, let’s see how you deal with this little slice…
What is wrong with my son-in-law?
If I thought that for one second that you would betray me, I would be forced to suspend you, head first, in the Bog of Eternal Stench.
*rolls eyes*
Bowie?
Larry put in countless hours at Dave and Abby’s first house with extensive electrical wiring for ceiling fans, extra TV and phone cable, and additional indoor and outdoor lights. This required him going into their attic. One day after several trips up there and a little warmer than he anticipated, we are certain he momentarily blacked out, lost his balance and fell through the ceiling and caught himself on the rafters before he fell to the floor. Needless to say, they had a very large hole in the ceiling that required new sheet rock and texturing. My husband is a perfectionist, so this was hard for him to take. We laugh now, but realize how dangerous it was because he was at the house working alone. He and Dave’s Dad have also saved them thousands of dollars because they know how to do most everything. Thought you’d enjoy this handyman story!!
Gotta love calling on good ol’ dad! Looks really nice! Ever wonder how all our dads know how to do all these fix it things?!
Looks so awesome! Parents are awesome. My parents helped us out a ton in the past couple of years when we’ve had some minor water problems in the basement – that had better not be a problem in the future, though, ‘cuz we just shelled out $$$$ to internally tile it. But, congrats on the improvements to your house. Hopefully you won’t get to enjoy them very long! ;)
Jessie-”Check it out, suckas! I’m getting to be more of a lady each and every day. Except, I doubt a lady would call her friends ‘suckas’.” Good grief, I love you. This made me giggle ALOT. The repairs look great and I think you should get those post it arrows that say “Look” and stick them on to the remedied areas, you know to draw attention to the awesomeness. Louise-I distinctly remember the day that “Larry fell thru the ceiling” which also makes me giggle (knowing he’s ok.) Thanks ladies for the laughs today!
The repair jobs look very nice. It’s kind of nice to have this all done to enjoy yourself.
Watch out about the flowers, Jessie, I think it is addictive….and a whole lot of work.
I got a rain barrel this year to water my flowers and I am beginning to realize it is much easier just to turn on the hose. But it seems really nice to have all that stored water.
It also occurred to me that if you have a rain barrel, you probably don’t need it.
I love flowers and yours look really lovely. Nice little chore for the boys.
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