Ready to Renovate

Hick was supposed to get me some pictures of our newest acquisition, but he forgot the keys! So all I have today are views of the outside, and a bit of description. Here's the original view from the corner, showing both houses:

They were a package deal. Couldn't buy just one. We were able to get them for $51,000, which is more than we wanted to pay, but less than the asking price. Flip properties are scarce around here now, unless they are outrageously priced, or have the roof falling in, or a bedroom burned off. Yes. Hick looked at such properties. 

 

This one just had a FOR SALE sign out front, and wasn't listed with any agency, and wasn't found online. This is why we take a drive, or ask The Pony what he might have seen on various routes during work. There is virtually nothing listed for under $60,000, other than lots or acreage with no structures. This was at the high end of our limit, since we buy outright, with no loans. Don't have to worry about interest rates going up!

Let's start our tour with the little house, although it will be the second one Hick works on. It's actually my mom's old beauty shop!

 

 

The inside is just one big open area (still with the beauty chairs, Hick said, though the seller might have moved them out before closing). There's a bathroom. Hick says it's about 400 square feet. The plan is to make it into an efficiency apartment, with a kitchen and bathroom. Maybe a dividing wall for a bedroom. Maybe not.

 

That's the beauty shop's nether region. Hick asked the building inspector what was needed to be up to code, and he said it had to have a toilet, sink, and a place to wash. So just a shower in the bathroom is fine. I think it could be appealing to a college student or an older person. It's less than 5 miles from the local junior college, which has a 4x4 program with a bigger college for certain degrees, like elementary education. Hick is thinking he will make it handicap accessible, because a college student wouldn't care, and an older person might need it. I think it would make a good mother-in-law house!

Behind the beauty shop is the main house.

 

This is the side of the house you see while standing in the back yard of the beauty shop. The house has a fenced yard, and a deck that Hick says needs to go away. He plans to put on a smaller porch, unless the supports are in better shape than he thinks, and can find some decking that is not too expensive. The fence is bent because a tree limb fell on it at some point.

 

There's a shed that's usable on the back corner of the yard. Needs some paint! The fence is good here in the back yard, and runs up to the alley beside the house.

 

Here's the front corner, showing the beauty shop in the background, and the alley beside.

 

Another view of the alley side. Hick likes the generous crawlspace, handy for plumbing. He plans to move the bathroom. 

 

Here's the front. Hick says the porch is sound. The house is about 1000 square feet. Two bedrooms, one bathroom. Hick might add a half bath. He says the roof and electric are good. The flooring will have to be replaced, and the kitchen re-done. It has baseboard heat, which Hick plans to leave, and add one of those wall units that will blow heat or air conditioning. He also says the windows are good.

We are all excited about our new project. Hick will have something to do during the winter. The plan is to sell, but we can always rent if the market is slow.