One of the first things I did was to take out the carpet and the came the task of taking up the tack strips that held down the carpet. So here is evidence that I was actually doing the work. My brother John is in the first pic. The ugly floor is actually hardwood but is was not going to be restored to make it look good. I think it would have taken more money to strip it and finish it than to pick carpet which is what I have done.

Next, I tackled the kitchen floor. Previously, there was some sort of stick down tile in 12" x 12" squares. This was a very frustrating thing as it did not come up easily.

I know it looks like there is still some sort of tile down but that is the original linoleum just very dirty. The lighter squares is where I had to go Michaelangelo on it. (with a hammer and chisel).

Here is how it looked when I got it

As you can tell it is white with tan rock in front. This picture shows how bad the roof is and in need of a new one.

This is the wonderful kitchen. The oven and stove top did not work and the faucet leaks.

This pic shows the lovely tile flooring. I don't think there was a complete piece.

Yes, a pink bathroom. So far that one is staying. But soon, it is going. There is actually a group called "Save the Pink Bathrooms.com" out there. Check it out.

This lovely blue room is the half bath. You literally have to step out to change your mind.

I don't know what was in this hole. But this room is going to be my room.

This is the hall. Should be self explainatory.

Red Room.

White room. Another bedroom.

Overall, not bad. But not good.

Here it is!

Here is a picture of the front of my house.

Rewind & Unwind

Well, here I am, now .... homeless.  Not to worry I won't be for long.  I moved out of my rent house and into a storage unit to keep from paying another month's rent. I am staying with my parents right now until my house is ready. So, I will rewind back to the beginning of this journey for you (and me).

For the last few years now I have been (not actively) looking for a house to purchase and live in.  About Feb. 2008 my search went into full swing. I sought the help of a friend (Joyce) in the real estate business.  She pointed me to First National Bank Mortgage Dept. We found out what payment I wanted  to make so I would know how much I could afford.  They are great people to work with, they did everything for me.

So, Joyce and I (sometimes my parents) would go look at houses sometimes 4 at a time.  Nothing really stood out to me. But I kept hoping & praying the the right house would be out there.  Then I went to the HUD website and looked at what they had in my price range.  We looked at several and one in particular: ) but did not bid on any of them.  The house I really liked went off the market and became someone's house.  We kept on looking.

Then one day near the end of September 2008, Joyce told me that the house was back up for sale by HUD, something had fallen through. So, maybe this was it. I put up a bid and paid my earnest money.  Then came the waiting.

For about 4 days  I was anxious about the whole ordeal. Did I bid enough? Did I bid to high? What if I get it? then what? If I don't, will it be okay? I really couldn't think of anything else.

The bidding ended at midnight on a Sunday. Joyce told me at around 2:00a.m. I could look and see if I was the top bidder. But, I decided to just wait not wanting to seem to anxious. So, on Monday,  I went online to see the bids and YES there it was on the top!  My bid was not the highest, but because I was to be an owner/occupant and not an investor I got it.  Now came the hard part. Filling out all the paperwork. And just as you would imagine doing business with a Government Agency is not an easy matter. They actually rejected the first draft of papers because I didn't sign an advertisement about winterizing!  Oh well, sent off the second draft nothing was red flagged and finally accepted my bid. Almost mine. But.....

I had to wait 45 days to close. So thus began the inspections, estimates of repairs and so on. But I could do nothing to the house until closing.  Okay, I will back up just a little. The house is in BA and was listed at $45,000 for the area that was unheard of.  Everything else on the block was going for $85,000 to $95,000! My bid was $46,200. And because I bid full price I got back $1,000! Way cool.

On November 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 am I signed the papers at closing. I am now a HOMEOWNER!  LET THE GRAY BEGIN!

My house was built in 1956. It is a 3 bedroom, 1 and 1/2 bath with a  1 car garage.

Pics to come