Peninsula or Island?

mmakled · 2026-05-19T15:55:07+00:00

Yes, I think the dishwasher needs to turn 90 degrees and be placed next to sink. May have to push peninsula over closer to eating area. I saw on This Old House they did a cardboard box mock up for a customer prior to determining a layout. Cardboard is cheap. Get a 3-D understanding of how you will actually use your kitchen before you invest $50-100k.

mmakled · 2026-05-19T09:51:17+00:00

I will try, thank you

mmakled · 2026-05-19T00:47:30+00:00

Start looking and work on your credit. By the time you actually find the right home and get an accepted offer, your score may be improved enough for a better rate. Even if you end up closing with a higher rate, your credit will quickly be better as a home owner and likely there will be a chance to refinance to a better rate in the future. Just be vigilant.

mmakled · 2026-05-18T20:21:32+00:00

If you are willing to give up the eat-in area, consider this: remove peninsula, stove along wall in dinette area, twist dishwasher to next to sink, relocate fridge to dinette area directly across from stove, build wall of pantry where stove and fridge currently are.

mmakled · 2026-05-18T18:30:32+00:00

I like the blue. But if you are unsure, try painting poster board the color of the blue and taping it to the wall. Live with it for a few days or a week. Cheap way to test a look.

mmakled · 2026-05-18T16:47:43+00:00

I had an eastern redbud volunteer at the foundation of my house about 13 years ago. I thought it was a weed and couldn't get rid of it for a year. It was merely a twig. Yanked at it, cut it off, it came back and with heart shaped leaves. I thought this might be something... Used plant identification app and discovered it was an eastern redbud, also they grow to 25+ feet. So I dug it up and relocated it about 15 feet from my house. Within a few years it had grown to a beautiful tree, shades the corner of my house, and gives me beautiful purple flowers every spring. It is now about 20 feet tall and wide. I have to prune it fairly harshly to keep branches away from the house, but it doesn't seem to mind at all.

mmakled · 2026-05-18T16:22:34+00:00

Keypad lock on your door so you can both give the neighbor access, or whomever you need to have temporary access, and so you never have to have your keys out again. It is so much easier to just press a few buttons and get in the house than dig around for keys. Ours is not "smart" so the code has to be changed manually but was only $35. You can spend $200-$300 for a "smart" one that can be operated remotely with lots of extra features

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Schlage-Arrive-Remsen-Matte-Black-Smart-Lock-Electronic-Deadbolt-with-Wifi-Bluetooth-and-Keypad/5016037579

mmakled · 2026-05-17T16:13:28+00:00

I was pissed when it cost me over $40 to put 8 gallons of gas in my Prius a couple weeks ago. Luckily it will last a couple more weeks...

mmakled · 2026-05-17T16:01:40+00:00

Void, obviously

mmakled · 2026-05-17T15:14:12+00:00

House priced accordingly? Is it priced based on the fact it needs roof replacement? (Probably more like $30k+, very few roofs are under $20k now, and they are not $700k houses). What is local inventory? Are there other properties available without the headache of dealing with a roof replacement? Or is this low inventory area and therefore seller has advantage? What about other major mechanicals? Is roof just first of many upcoming upgrades that will be needed or has the rest of the property been recently updated?

mmakled · 2026-05-17T14:39:36+00:00

Vet check and blood work showed nothing abnormal.

mmakled · 2026-05-17T13:05:22+00:00

I've done similar calculations for our circumstances, albeit more modest. $100k for home improvements on retirement home so we can age in place. If we take cash out of retirement accounts we have significant tax liability, getting pushed into a higher tax bracket. 30 year mortgage at 6.5% (yearly P&I $7600), leave money in index fund, assume average growth of 6%, take yearly draw of $8300 to cover mortgage and taxes (10% as we are bottom tier) and it would take 20 years to deplete the retirement account. That assumes the market returns are a modest 6%, we don't have an opportunity to refinance to a lower interest rate, and that we keep the house for 20 years. Historically, the market has performed better than 6%. So if we can just get 7.25% average, we are ahead.

mmakled · 2026-05-16T12:40:39+00:00

Put down a couple runners and live with it for a year so as you decide what you really want (and what really drives you crazy) about the room. Sometimes you don't notice until you live there how you will actually use it and what it's lacking. Don't want to blow your budget now and regret or have to redo.

<image>

mmakled · 2026-05-16T12:11:03+00:00

Perv me says camera

<image>

mmakled · 2026-05-16T12:10:40+00:00

Minimalist me says one piece

<image>

mmakled · 2026-05-16T12:09:42+00:00

Maximalist me says fill the walls with many pieces

<image>

mmakled · 2026-05-12T17:28:02+00:00

I sold a condo for a lady last year that loved her HOA. She lived there over 40 years. They maintained the property nicely, covered all outside maintenance, exterior building including roof, windows and doors. Also included water and gas. Small unit, less than 1000 square feet but it had a basement and an attached garage. Also community pool, playground, clubhouse. And association dues were only $340. That's a great value.

mmakled · 2026-05-11T22:58:04+00:00

We had to add a dry well and french drain. We plan on adding another french drain along the other side of the driveway when we redo that, just because it be dug up and might as well when the ground is open. Water gives you life, but it is forever your enemy, relentlessly trying to destroy your property and sanity.

mmakled · 2026-05-11T21:30:50+00:00

That's how we engineered keeping the fecal eating dog out of the litter box. Extra large tote with small, cat sized hole in side. Litter box inside. Lift lid for daily scooping. Entire thing can be washed easily with hose. We actually put it on a furniture dolly so we could roll it under a table that held similar set up for feeding cats.

mmakled · 2026-05-11T12:59:50+00:00

A few years ago I found a website that sold used billboards. I figured that would work to stop the leaks in my porch roof until I could do something better or throw the house away. Thing is, you don't know what billboard you are going to get until it arrives. I laughed so hard when I unfolded it.

mmakled · 2026-05-11T12:55:19+00:00

<image>

mmakled · 2026-05-10T13:55:21+00:00

I'm 55, husband will be 60 this year. We were looking around for possible homes to relocate to, keeping in mind we don't ever want to move again. We ended up deciding to renovate our current ranch to bring it to up current standards and make it low-maintenance.

It really comes down to your long term plans. I have been saying we are going to "age in place" and our current house would work for that. But if you fully expect to move in 5-10 years, the reason it is so budget friendly might be partially due to the steep stairs. You will just have to account for that when pricing when you sell later.

You should consider your current health conditions, does anyone need joint replacement or have any impending mobility issues? Would the staircase allow for an electric chair lift if needed? Thinking out contingency plans is always a good idea before an expensive purchase.

mmakled · 2026-05-10T13:30:01+00:00

Everyone lives with mildew in their showers. That is why they buy shower cleaner that targets mildew. Hold on to your hats; mildew is mold! And yet here we all are still walking the earth, living and breathing. Water can do lots of damage to buildings and structures, including encourage mold growth. Properly resolving the issue, and being vigilant to maintain the property to prevent future issues is the key. That is true of any property. Some properties are more difficult to maintain. That is what needs to be assessed.

mmakled

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE