This but not That

Our meeting with the contractor went well this morning.  We've come to the realization that what we definitely, positively, and absolutely need is more space.  The kitchen cabinets are sufficient and with a little elbow grease and the right hardware they'll look attractive.  So. our biggest expenses in the kitchen will be a stove, refrigerator, and new counter top.

Finishing the basement is top priority and where the majority of the renovation funds will be spent.  When completed, there will be another bedroom and full bathroom as well as a family room and laundry area.  Amazingly even with all this rain the basement is dry!  Thank the Lord. 

If anyone has any experience with in ground pools we'd love to hear from you.

Little by Little, Inch by Inch

With the offer accepted, reality has begun to set in and it can be overwhelming at times.  Ideas need to be thought, creativity needs to flow, figures need to be figured, and estimates need to be estimated all before the appraiser comes out to the house. 

With help from a Home Depot kitchen designer we now have a design for the kitchen to work with.  Sitting down with pencil in hand and some graph paper, we now have a design for the basement as well.  Now we can communicate "intelligently" with the contractor on Saturday, April 23. 

When our kids were younger they enjoyed listening to Patch the Pirate songs and stories by Ron Hamilton.  Those songs and stories touch not only the lives of our kids but also us as adults.  Patch's song titled "Little by Little" has become our theme song for this project.  The lyrics are:

When mountains tower rugged and high

rise to the challenge, look to the sky.

Trust in the Lord and start out to climb,

reach for the goal one step at a time.

Little by little, inch by inch,

by the yard it's hard,

by the inch what a cinch!

Never stare up the stairs,

just step up the steps.

Little by little inch by inch.

Pray that as we take on this challenge we will take it one step at a time!

 



Offer Accepted!!!!

The Burringtons are on their way to becoming home owners again!  Our offer on a bank owned home has been accepted even with the seller's paying the 6% closing costs.  Since the home is bank owned it needs some renovations.  The mortgage, as well as the renovations, will be financed through a homepath renovation mortgage.  The amazing thing is this is a conventional loan but we only need to put 3% down!  Settlement is scheduled for the end of June after which we have 3 months to complete the renovations.  We don't anticipate moving in until sometime in Aug. when our current lease is up.

The home is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, rancher with a full basement, 2 car garage on a 1/2 acre with an inground swimming pool.  Below are pictures of the house to give you an idea of what renovations need to be done.  Our goal is to completely finish the basement to include a full bathroom, a bedroom and family room.  The other major renovation would be to the kitchen.  Other minor repairs need to be done throughout the house as you'll see in the photos.  There is nice hardwood flooring under the carpeting.

We look forward to being able to post the "after" pictures.

              





Florida Room

 

back bedroom door missing



Master bedroom



stain on LR floor