Monday was the closing for our purchase of Pony House, which is my official name for the $23,000 house. Of course we couldn't wait to get inside. It looks like you would expect a $23,000 house to look. The previous owner had bought it as a flip house, gutted it, put on a new roof, then found out he was too busy with other projects.
Here's a picture from the outside as a refresher:
Today you only get the living room. No need to overwhelm you! We'll start by standing on the front porch, looking through the door.
The floor is hardwood, probably circa 1920, and in kind of rough shape. Hick might try to use it, but might put in that snap-together fake wood like he used in one of his themed sheds. That doorway leads to what will become the master bedroom.
Stepping inside the front door, you can see the hallway that leads to the back porch area, and where the master bathroom will be. It will adjoin the bedroom through that white wall through the doorway.
Standing inside what will become the master bathroom, looking out into the living room and front door area, you can see there the kitchen will be. Also, a VERY rough patch in the floor!
From the back hallway area beside what will be the master bathroom, you get a view of the living room, and part of the master bedroom. The house is bigger than I thought from seeing the outside.
Hick and The Pony did a walk-through, discussing what the rooms would become. It will take a lot of work, and considerable investment, but I am confident that Hick will make it work. His makeover of Hick House was impressive. Again, we're not building a palace. Just a safe, livable house.
The floor doesn’t look that bad. Just the one spot. We did this same thing a few years ago. We were able to rob some floor boards from a closet to repair a bad spot. Don’t underestimate the beauty of these old floors. The distressed look is very popular with some people. A lot of the old mansions in New Orleans have these old distressed floors and they are beautiful. My stepson did some installation work in a new construction house where they purposely distressed the floors.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned this to Hick, thinking that the would-be master bathroom floor could be used for patching, since he will put some other flooring in there. He plans to tear it all out, since the floor in that room isn't level, and the back wall needs replacing, due to rot along the bottom. Water runs down the hill and pools there. He's already got a plan to take his tractor to town, and make a drainage area to route water around the side of the house.
DeleteHowever... Hick said that bathroom floor is different wood from the hardwood living room floor. He also said it might be used for patching, with a coating of polyurethane on the whole floor. Which I guess would make it all look alike.
Well, the roof looks nice. Actually the gutting is done, Hick can work his magic instead of on Shackytown...it will come out very nice I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteHeh, heh! Hick says that roof is a $6-7,000 value, and is less than two years old. Good thing, since it looks like we'll need a heating and cooling unit that will cost that much.
DeleteHick has already made two trips pricing lumber and bathroom supplies. He's happiest when he has a project. I'm happiest when HE's happiest and out of the house...
Too bad Pony is injured. Guess Hick will have to do all that hard work by himself.
ReplyDeleteIf The Pony was in charge of such a building project, he might as well live in a cardboard box. He's not very handy.
DeleteHOS (Hick's Oldest Son) will be helping. For pay, or course. Hick said he'll pay what he'd pay any other helper. By the JOB, not per hour! HOS is a good untrained carpenter, and had a job early on as a plumber's helper.
Hick know a little about a lot of stuff. He's best with electric, but says this house is already wired for 220. Whatever that means. I'm as smart about that as Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom, when he answered, "220, 221... whatever it takes."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX3kxAA2L4Q
Lots of work to be done, but it's got good "bones" and will be very nice when finished and furnished.
ReplyDeleteLots of work, but at least it's like a blank slate, with stuff already torn out. I think the back wall is the first issue to solve, and getting windows put in, since most of these are just barely dangling there.
DeleteNice find! Will he be putting a big triangular tub in the bathroom, or will the Pony have to commute for his nightly soak?
ReplyDeleteThe Pony has requested a jetted tub, EVEN IF HE HAS TO PAY FOR IT! He said it doesn't have to be big and triangular, just have jets. Hick has already been out pricing them at Home Depot.
DeleteHick does not understand the word RETIRED. He must have a project, right? He will work wonders on this house. I am amazed at his rehabbing jobs. The man knows his stuff.
ReplyDeleteYes, and I'd rather Hick have THIS kind of project, rather than building his little playhouses. I mean themed sheds.
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