Buying - Remodeling - Nesting - Adding a new chapter to our lives.

Over the last year (2012/2013) Janice has been feeling a real draw back to Washington.  Family is always important to her but it seems as the grandchildren get older, her desire is to see them more often and try to be around family more then just once or twice a year.  How does one manage this when there is a unique draw to the warmth and friends of Mazatlan and where Joel loves spending his time and be closer to family and friends in Washington?  Over the past several months there was more and more talk of some changes and choices we could make to both compromise to what we'd both like to do. Janice spent countless hours researching the real estate market and after some looking and negotiations, we found a small home in a lovely neighborhood at a great price.  The great price however came with the job of a major remodel.  Mostly some major cosmetic work.  We managed to close and receive our title in a couple weeks, and the next morning began the job of remodeling the 1930 bungalow.  It is what Janice calls her "Diamond In The Rough". 

The house in on a corner lot and it's not in a gated community so there are no homeowners dues which would then include a gardener.  With Joel in Mazatlan until June 30 (after we drove up to Spokane the beginning of May and he flew back after the papers were signed) Janice gets to take care of this yard which is pretty good sized.  Janice planted a garden of about 10ft. by 10ft with tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, 3 different types of peppers, zucchini and summer squash.  Mowing the yard took over an hour and that wasn't even finishing it up with edging and watering.  This can be enjoyable seeing a beautiful lush yard and garden, that I forget about the amount of work as we are now retired and have plenty of time to complete the job.
After a couple of realtors that left Janice feeling less then confident in their being the right match for us, Janice finally found a realtor that we will praise and recommend as long as the buyers or sellers are in the Spokane area and wanting to be treated with 100% professionalism whether you are buying a diamond in the rough or buying a mansion.  Erik Dordal with Coldwell Banker Realtors out of the South Hill Branch is on top of the game. He ALWAYS answers calls, emails or text within 12 hours, usually less. His communications are always straight forward, he is knowledgeable about real estate, has contacts for all your home needs, and you feel when you are finished with the transaction that you've made a friend.  We will be happy to give you his contact information should you find yourself needing it.
So the house we've purchased is a 1930 bungalow that is small. Both Joel and I have agreed though that in our time of life, this is all we need or want.  There is a basement, but it is for storage primarily and currently holds our washer and dryer, otherwise the house is on one level. The floors were all carpeted. Under the carpets in the bedrooms and living room are hardwood that are being restored.  The kitchen, hallways and bathroom are being tiled with natural stone tile.  On most of the walls were wall paper that have been applied with something that was never meant to come off.  This has been one of my workers worst nightmares. The kitchen will actually have wall board put on to cover up the mess and the living room the paper has been steamed off.  At this time also the ceiling of both living room and bedroom had old-time tiles attached with some weird type of glue.  These all came off and one by one, the glue had to be removed.  The removal of the glue revealed many deep cracks in the ceiling and walls.  The next 3 days spent was filling in all the cracks and resurfacing the areas.  The last 2 days now has been texturizing the areas.  While this has been going on, my other worker has been busy gutting and building back up the bathroom.  Some pretty bad plumbing was revealed when the fixtures were taken out.  New flooring now has been laid to prepare for the tile, the walls have had new wall board applied after all the plumbing issues fixed. 
Almost every one that knows us good enough has asked us why we would by a home that needs so much work.  The quick and simple answer is, Janice was up for the challenge of turning a 'rough gem into a diamond'.  This place as all the makings of the 'almost perfect' flipper if the market in Spokane was good.  As it stands, the market is fair, but that wasn't the purpose.  Janice may never want to do this again, but another box checked off the bucket list and we'll have our summer retirement cottage all paid for and closer to family and friends in Washington. While I (Janice) is looking after all the details in Spokane, Joel is relaxing in the sun of Mazatlan and not having to help with these details. We've decided for us this is the way it works. I will spare all of you the problems and issues that comes up with taking on this kind of venture. As of today, I have not been able to move in yet but hopefully it will be ready by Joel and my 22nd wedding anniversary which is June 21st.  Happy Anniversary Ducky!