A 1927 Craftsman Renovation - pt. 1

The idea of me doing DIY's was, believe it or not, very odd at one point in time. And still, an air compressor scares the daylights out of me! But I'd like to share what got me started (and if you're also looking to get into fixer-uppers, we need to talk! It is rewarding, fulfilling, completely bank draining, and absolutely nothing like you see on TV.)

There was an interior design class I completely absorbed in college. But the teacher said, "unless you want to be a furniture salesman- there's nothing you can do with an interior design degree" - - which is probably right in Sanpete County!

And you guys, I can't believe I honestly let that deter me.

I knew, then, it was my passion.

Fast forward to marriage, starting a family, and a dead end job. I am religious, so I prayed about what to do with my life. Very surprisingly the thought of being a Realtor came so fast and so clear into my head. So, after many, "...are you sure...?" moments, I went for it.

And guess what, I already had my first client.

It was my husband! And let me tell you- he was the most unenthusiastic client I could ever have.

We made a list a mile long of must-have features in our new house. Some were:

• large windows

• basement apartment

• cute kitchen

• fireplace

• etc...

And guess what, with a whopping max budget of $180,000 we found it, in Utah County.

All but the fireplace, but there use to be one!

It went live on the MLS and I knew, immediately that was our house. It went under contract so fast by someone else. But, them being so smart, and probably seeing the excessive water damage and faulty foundation with their eyes, backed out.

Haha oh, not us- I mean, not me.

I pulled up and immediately heard? felt? in my head, "This is your home." And so it was. After so much convincing and another story of how I lost my wedding rings (so, so crazy but was ultimately the deciding factor), Wyatt gave in and we bought it.

And we lived in it, with 18 inches of counter-space, absolutely no closet space, indeed a faulty foundation, and a horrendous make-shift basement apartment that usually included a puddle or two somewhere, BUT ALSO, was 100% brick, included glass cabinets in the kitchen, large picture frame windows complete with casement windows on each side, full-lite doors with side-lites, an absolutely darling 220 square foot wrap around front porch, sigh, and REAL hard wood floors...

...for two years.

But can you see the potential??? (Seriously look at that statement front door- both of them!!)

Keep a lookout for Part 2.

xx,

Mercedes