This weekend we drove to Portland and looked over the Old House (the one we are thinking of buying). We took a notebook along and wrote a list of everything that needed to be done.
It took four sheets and we only listed things pertaining to the house itself. We haven't even begun to discuss the five acres.
Some items will be done immediately while others can wait a while (months into years). The house needs a new roof and paint.
The deck should be checked over. There is a lot of moss growing up there and I'd hate for someone (a child) to break through or fall over the railing.
There were some very cool discoveries. Wood floors cover the upstairs. They were hidden by orange shag carpeting for years. They are a bit dinged-up, but I can imagine their future loveliness (Since they are fir, a soft wood compared to hard oak, we will most likely hire a professional do the sanding.)
All the bedrooms have built-in closets and drawers and the main has a little "nursery" room attached. I'm already picturing my "Lady Cave" as I turn it into a craft room.
This house has TONS of storage...and therein lies the main problem. Storage space equals stuff.
And if we purchase this home we will inherit plenty of stuff....
A Basement of Stuff. Four rooms of Stuff. A Garage of Stuff. Three Sheds of Stuff.
Last summer we spent five weekends with Dave's brothers cleaning up Stuff. Ten trailer dumps, five metal recycling dumps, and two wood recycling dumps later there is still a lot of stuff.
And it is the stuff that fills me with horror and dread. I don't know if I can take it on. And take it on we will.
Oh, the family has promised to help clean it up - but that could take months...years even. I can't wait that long.
I can envision turning this home into a beautiful place. Most of it requires new flooring and a little bit of paint and elbow grease.
But to take on the junk....I'm overwhelmed enough to say, "No Thanks. I'm content where I am now."
I think people underestimate the power of too much stuff. It can be so overwhelming that you are frozen in place. Since you guys have already hauled away lots of stuff and presumably have saved out the good stuff already, why don't you hire some one or some company to just come remove the rest of it? Then you can have a "clean slate" to start out with.
Posted by: Sayre | January 26, 2012 at 05:10 AM
Good luck with the
junkstuff!Posted by: johng | January 26, 2012 at 07:45 AM
I say pay someone to come and haul that crap off the property and be done with it. It's the kind of opportunity that you'll kick yourself for not taking if you decide not to buy the house. The property alone makes it totally worth it. Not to mention you'll be closer to your sister! HINT HINT!
<3
Posted by: Amanda | January 26, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Wow! That's a great looking house, and I empathize with the stuff. My family had a hoarder who filled a double garage, 3 sheds, the yard and the entire house. You couldn't use the kitchen or bathroom, and only by walking sideways could you get from the back door to half of the queen bed not covered. I said, I can empathize. It's exhausting but I know you and Dave will prevail!
Posted by: mark | January 26, 2012 at 05:57 PM
A move "home"... Yay!!!!
Posted by: angela | January 29, 2012 at 06:27 PM