I figure I owe an update on the Proctor sisters. Miss 17 Proctor actually got me to ask for a second date (showing). It has definite potential, but needs a few major jobs. The majorest is moving the bathroom out of the kitchen, and then repairing what’s left behind in the kitchen. The second majorest would be to bust through the wall that separates the two tiny rooms they call bedrooms. (None of the “3″ bedrooms in this house is anywhere near normal size, which I’d guess is the primary reason this house hasn’t sold.)
There are other smaller, but not entirely small must-dos, including the professional “trimming” of an extremely tall, extremely overgrown oak that’s leaning on power lines and close to the house. That’s actually not a very cheap job. Additionally, the front steps absolutely have to be redone — that one I could probably do if I put my mind to it.
So to get into that house, I’d have to get a rehab loan, which typically only funds you for a percentage (example 90%) of the new total, meaning you have to have the rest in cash at the outset of the project (in the form of a down payment). It comes out to about 18K, which would be very funny if it wasn’t so sad.
So, our 3rd date is on Sunday at 11am. You may have just guessed that she was off the list, but there is a very remote chance that my grandparents may see the potential here and wish to get in on the investment. After all, the location is excellent and the house would be worth twice as much if it had a normal layout. If I was thinking really long term, the house should have a second floor, but I may not be the gal for such an endeavor any time too soon.
So tonight I’m seeing a townhouse-style condo in Weymouth. I’ve actually seen another unit in this complex, but the one I’m seeing today is an end unit, making it ever so slightly larger than the other one, as well as quieter, and with a fireplace. Guess what the square footage is on this one, and assume that it’s bad…
600 sq ft.
Yeah, stop laughing, it’s not easy being green.
If you recall from a previous lesson on real estate terms, this one would be “cute”, meaning nice but small. I’ll give you a walk through.
Here she is from the outside… in winter:
This is what you’d see if a ghost had just opened the front door while you were standing just about in the kitchen, or on the other end of the room pictured here.
This is the right side of the kitchen. The refrigerator would go on the other side of the stove there. Notice the stove is electric and there’s no dishwasher, yech. But yes, that there is a little bit of granite counter.
Here’s the fireplace, in the main room which must serve as living and dining. Right now, I think the brick and brass are very ugly, but with a little money, wood, and marbe tile, this could be a nice focal point. Hope it works!
This is the second floor. You’d see this from right in front of the bathroom. To the left is the linen closet and in front of you is one of the two bedrooms.
The other bedroom, or inside the one we just peered in. They’re about the same size.
Bedroom or office for me.
Mama like hardwoods and fireplace, and fortuantely yellow walls as well. The fireplace could be rehabbed, and the kitchen is small and needs some careful strategizing to add a dishwasher and some built in seating.
So I’ll see that tonight at 7. It’s listed at 120K, and Christina gave me the inside scoop that this was bought for 102K by a contractor who put in the shiny amenities, and they tried to resell it for 137K, but it didn’t. This is certainly not the boom, but years ago this townhouse sold for around 160K, so the thought with buying this would be to make improvements to the kitchen, bath, and fireplace, and then wait for a good time to sell.
In totally unrelated news (well, related to the Subject, which I have plagiarized) you should listen to Jake La Botz.
