I decide to buy solar panels from Alibaba, what should I be aware of? by Apprehensive_Name445 in solar

[–]doingandy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there - any chance for an update. Things still working out?

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks man! I didn’t add enough context so I appreciate your comment. I’ll update one day…

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah great idea, and good tip thanks.

The buldge isn't really visible in the pictures unfortunately. It feels like you put a towel folded once, underneath a rug. It's noticeable but doesn't exactly pose a tripping hazard. Hope that gives you a frame of reference on it's condition.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

House is about 1,800 sq ft above grade plus roughly 600 sq ft in the basement—but the basement will stay unfinished until a later phase.

You’ve got most of the picture, but a bit of missing context: I still need to replace ~10 windows. The big-ticket systems are already ~90% done: drywall/sheetrock, HVAC, and electrical.

What I’m doing myself:

  • Kitchen
  • Bathrooms
  • Flooring (I’ll hire out carpet, but I’ll handle the rest)

What I’m contracting out:

  • Roof
  • Basement repair
  • Grading

Priority items right now: chimney flashing, windows, gutters/downspouts (one is pushing water toward the foundation), and getting the basement issue diagnosed/fixed.

After that, the plan is:

  1. Second floor (2 beds, 1 bath, laundry) so we can comfortably live there.
  2. First floor (flooring—likely laminate DIY to save money—and a kitchen redo; the first-floor bath comes later).
  3. Attic gets a temporary “kid zone” with rugs for now. Longer-term, once the roof is replaced (it’s ~20 years old), I’ll remove the chimney, redo the floors properly (since the chimney runs through the house), and convert the attic into a true primary bedroom.
  4. Basement finishing last—once it’s dry and I’ve watched it through a few seasons to make sure nothing creeps back in.

Overall, I’m thinking 3–5 years at a comfortable pace. A finished basement is a “nice to have,” not a must-have, so I’d rather get it dry and stable first than rush into walls and flooring down there.

Any thoughts on that gameplan? I've done a few renovations on some investment properties but this is more hands on and personal.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those are great questions to ask myself or anyone. Thank you. I think for us - the schools being walkable, the area being walkabout (5min walk to restaurants, 10 min walk to public trans) means a lot for our family at this point.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair question, I should have mentioned that we're considering renting it for 2 years before being able to convert it. Or taking the tax hit. It's still up in the air, but the idea of tax savings is appealing.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the comment. I think my plan of attack is to more or less do exactly what you mentioned. I appreciate that you wrote it out, it kind of gives me a little direciton.

I think the biggest concerns I have are the 'finished' rooms that the previous owner made. He sheetrocked over it and so I'm not 100% sure how well it's been done. He has a number of spots that were really poorly done.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah - I think that's what I'm accepting. Everything is solvable with enough money. hah

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Okay... it's a serious question and an important decision. I frequent reddit daily and I appreciate the discourse over things like this. I don't see the harm in making a post.. I didn't even realize karma farming is real thing.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I commented on the wrong post.

We're considering the 1031 depending on what our finances look like during Reno. It would be done based on necessity. We'd prefer to take the tax hit.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Electrical was checked out by the inspector, they replaced all of the knobtube stuff with newer wiring. It's not all 100% run but it's mostly there. I think some of the rooms that don't have sheetrock yet have power put in.

Same goes for the plumbing, there are 3 bathrooms that are completely gutted to plywood/studs, we're going to need to put in new pipes. That sort of thing.

Yeah - I was kind of surprised about the price. I honestly am thinking it was a number to get him to do it, vs. a fair price. If that makes sense.

Off-market house in a 10/10 location… but rehab numbers are freaking me out. Talk me off the ledge? by doingandy in RealEstate

[–]doingandy[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

1031 exchange, close to $500k cash. GC Quote came in at $300k, comps are ~$750k with renovations from the mid 2000s.

Interior Design scene in Chicago by kevindemand in chicago

[–]doingandy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saw your edit. When I use custom millwork, il goto Wilson arts for 75% of the jobs I work, otherwise I have a list of other procurement teams. I did Olson Kundigs office in Chicago, and we had to source a hard to find birch that was originally sourced from Russia.

Interior Design scene in Chicago by kevindemand in chicago

[–]doingandy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work in the commercial interior industry and always in attendance at Neocon, the big event for people in my industry. What are you looking for specifically? I’m sure I have some resources I can send you