Home Improvement

Couple things I notice, as a new first-time home buyer.

Stainless steel appliances are in. I wouldn't fuss over black appliances, but many might. The lighting in the kitchen is kind of shitty also (the long tubes). Probably wouldn't hurt to do some recessed lighting or something. I love the countertops. The cabinets could probably use an update as white isn't huge - but I wouldn't change this if I was selling.

Bathrooms weren't bad, but that long mirror that extends over the shitter is a little bit of an eyesore to me. Can't really tell the condition of the facilities from the pictures, but I'll assume they're good. Cabinets probably need updating.

Popcorn ceiling wouldn't really bother me.

The carpet throughout the house is a bit much personally. I don't mind carpet so much, but it's probably too neutral colored for most. Hardwood floors are all the rage right now. Probably a project you wouldn't want to do unless you had to though. We have a tiled kitchen floor and I like it. I've spilled some shit and the tile just takes it.

I've never lived down in that area, but are "rock yards" very common? That would instantly stop me from buying a house - but perhaps that is the norm down there.

... I might consider it to have a cool phallic cactus in my front yard though.

mkopec_sl said:

THe house is fine. I would not change a thing. Maybe painting a room or two. But buying new appliances? LOL, GTFO. The only thing im buying new appliances for is my new pad.

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Wasn't recommend he do that, I was saying as a buyer that is what I would see.

I completely disagree with cabinet color... my experience is that white is totally the color to have cabinets these days.

Cabinets are a lighter grey, to match the counter tops. Pictures don't pick that up very well.

Love the thoughts, and ideas. I think I'm going to look into painting the computer room. Maybe take down my Warcraft posters. Lol.

I like the cabinets and counter tops.

If I were buying the house, it's the flooring and paint that would need to be changed. That's shit I would expect to do in buying a house that wasn't brand new.

Yup. I would just paint a few of those rooms honestly. I've looked at 2 houses in the past 10 days where people were buying it and wanted me to tear out carpet, put in laminate and prefinished hardwood prior to them moving in with some painting.
So the flooring is a toss up, what you put back in may not be what the buyer wants. Best to leave that to them unless carpet is in bad shape or shagadelic. The paint however is to capture them in the first place. Some people have a very hard time visualizing something and if they dislike the color they just don't have the ability to go well a day and a few hundred bucks will fix that.

Paint does wonders for the look of the interior. For a couple bucks, you can really open up things without doing much.

Had 2 more showings today, we'll see if they give any kind of feedback. Been on the market for 68 days, and the average in AZ is 83 this year. Time to get it sold and get it done!!

I'd say if nothing happens in the next couple weeks, I'll start taping off and prepping some of the rooms for paint. lol

Here is the shower I did I posted the rough in shelf on 12 pages ago. Finally got around to taking a picture while I was there doing some other stuff.

Nice work. Wish you lived closer. Having someone like you around would be valuable for remodels.

My water heater is leaking, from somewhere inside (because the water is dripping down one of the 3 feet holding it up). Before I go through the trouble of turning everything off, disconnecting everything, yadda yadda, does the outside casing even come off (with insulation attached or otherwise removable), or is it a one piece deal, and water coming from under the heater means the tank is busted and buy a new heater?

I feel like in asking this I'm answering my own question... but whatever, input cool. If we replace I'm likely looking at a Rheem 40 gal, but we'll see. (Current is a Richmond, which was manufactured in '98, but not actually sure how long it's been in use here)

Ya plywood would give you the smoothest drywall, or you can go with 5/8s over the nail strips pictured as it is more rigid than the 1/2. Would have to still be somewhat consistent for that though so you may have to shim or tapcon places to get it not as wavy.

Oneofone chances are if it isn't leaking at a fitting such as incoming water/outgoing water, steam release or drain valve, that the water heater is fucked.
We used to torch them open for projects and everyone I ever saw the inside of , I wish I hadn't. A old water heater is a cesspool of rust and minerals.

People never maintain hot water heaters or replace anode rods every 5-6 years as they should, thus failure comes along.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too, thanks guys. At least all the reading I did was good, as I did learn a bit (aluminum anode bad, check that and drain tank yearly). My water is hard as fuck - when we had it tested the scale went from 1 super soft to 13 super hard, and we scored a 25(?) so yeah... heh new water heater here I come!

Might I suggest going the route of a different type of tank in the future. I believe the electric Kenmore (SEARS) tanks are plastic. As a result, they will last a lot longer. Plus, they're very easy to change the Anodes if you ever decide to. Keep in mind that I'm not 100% on it being a plastic tank, but I've never had rust on mine at all, and I flush it out every 3 months just to make sure there isn't any buildup. Just remember to shut off the breaker first, or else those anodes will die instantly.

Got some work in this weekend. Framed my front window, put in a new stool and apron. That was a fucking bitch that took me like 3 hours to do. It was a real hack job, but no one will ever know. Looks perfect.

Then I installed all new trim on the floor and put in the horizontal pieces for my wainscoting. Just need to install the vertical pieces (every 2 feet) across the wall, install the top crown along the top horizontal piece and paint it.

Should look really good.

The one thing I'm debating is installing quarter round along the new baseboard trim. I like the straight look, but there are gaps in the floor because the floor is uneven as fuck.

The balloons are very festive. There to celebrate a job well done?