Yup, another one of my goals aimed at being able to move back up north is about to be reached. Three years ago, I bought a wreck of a house on acreage for a song. I spent six months making the house "liveable" before moving in, and selling the old place.

Initially I had planned on bulldozing the place and building a new one in its place, so I tolerated a very "crusty" place up untill last winter. With my company gradually eliminating my department (we were at 126 people with 26 open positions when I hired on, and now we're down to 65), and my getting burned out with shutting myself in for 3 months every summer, and finally my Mother coming in and taking care of the place during a stint in the hospital last January, I decided to fix the place instead of crushing it.

Now with a bungled up tape and mud job fixed, three new exterior doors, the removal of a fourth, as well as all new floors, an entirely new kitchen, new siding, new paint, new wallpaper, new HVAC system, and lots of new plumbing, I'm looking at tying up the last of two projects on the place over the next several days. I was nearly complete with some exterior painting when rains moved in and shut me down with only one small section of the house left, and I'm currently installing the last of the baseboards in the kitchen and master bathroom. Next will be to paint them. Upon completion of these two tasks, the major remodelling will be officially complete!! :thumbsup:

There are still a handful of little things to take care of, and I'll be having the roof replaced after getting back from a vacation in two weeks. Windows will be slated for next spring. However, the problems with the house that were directly affecting the value of the place have finally been answered to.

My next step is this: I will be refinaning the entire place, and lumping all remaining debt to the house so that I have one payment. From that point forward, I'll be dumping every possible dollar into that loan for a payoff goal within three years if the job holds out!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed to be able to relocate to a cold, snowy, sledding place very soon!!!

Once Direcway fixes the latest problem with their equipment, I'll post some before and after pics of the place. You all will be surprised at the change! I'm still walking around the place in disbelief. :D

nice to see that your hard work has payed off. great job, and get back up here in the north where u can get some serious riding in. :)

Wolfy, where you looking to move too?

Doo

One of two areas are in consideration. My first choice will be southwest Montana. I absolutely love the Yellowstone area, and look for every possible opportunity to visit. If finding stable employment is going to be too difficult, then I'll be looking at Washington state. The company I work for has territory there that I could conceivably transfer to. Both states do not have any state level income tax, and with Washington state, I can still find some inexpensive beach property there, and still be an hour or two away from snowmobiling in winter, instead of a full day's drive one way. Both will get me away from this hellish heat. :D

I hear you on the heat part. I visited San Antonio and Corpus Christi three years ago. San Antonio was around 101 -102 F and no breeze with humidity around 90%, then we drove to Corpus Christi from there, and the temps were at 98-100 but the humidity was 98% +. The A/C in the hotel over looking the water could not keep up. It was sooooo hot, we went to St. Padre Island for a swim, the water was just as warm as the air. I've never sweat coming out of an ocean before, but I did in TX!!! :D :D

Good luck on the move. :)

Check with Sled Dogg on refinacing. (Dogg, I want a referral fee for this). lol

Is that so????????? I only do MI and IND loans though i did find a friend to do Jim Fritch down in ILL. So I can ask around my connections finding a person capable down in TX. Or give you all the knowledge needed to get yourselfthe best deal Wolf.;

Thanx Sled Dogg. One of my plans is to get a market evaluation as if I were going to sell it now. I'm also looking for similar properties for sale around my area, and saving the information along with the asking prices. I'm hoping to be well armed for this refi, as I'm asking for alot, and will be pushing hard for the high side of the average value out here.

I've since finished the exterior painting, (I do need to put a second coad of paint on the gutters and downspouts), and finished the installation of the baseboards. I need to replace a doorknob that has gotten fussy, as well as reinstall a porchlight, and put a new outlet cover on one exterior outlet. I'll be painting those newly installed baseboards as well. Should be done by TONIGHT, and will be beginning final cleanup around the place tomorrow.

I have the money set aside in the savings account to have the roof shingles replaced when I get back from vacation.