So we've spent the majority of the summer doing house stuff. When I say house stuff, what that ACTUALLY means is "no-fun stuff". We realized early in the spring that it was going to be pretty difficult to sell the house, considering the market right now, and the fact that there are thousands of foreclosures in our area. Why would someone want to buy our house when they can buy a very similar or nearly identical house down the street for half the price??
So, we decided to roll up our sleeves and start doing some work on the place: siding, soffits, landscaping, redoing the deck, privacy fence, etc. We've invested a TON of time, and a reasonable amount of money on it, but everything looks so much better! My dad has been our "project manager", taking time off work to come down and help out with stuff. My mom has come down and thrown in and helped out, too. But mainly, Dan has been doing the work himself. He works during the day while I'm at work. Since he works nights, it works out o.k. for him to be able to get some work done during the day. I'm very proud of him for everything that he's done, most of it by himself! Today should be the LAST day for siding and soffits and fascia. (If we never hear those words again, we would both die happy.) Landscaping will go in tomorrow evening, and then just a few minor details left: shutters, some new light fixtures, some sod in a place where we tore down the big pine tree. (I'm sure you all remember the bagworm infested pine tree with christmas lights still strung about all over......right in front of the living room window...?? Yeah, it's gone. WAHOO!)
I've attached some photos of the house, for your viewing enjoyment. I will post more pictures once everything is complete. :)
The deck, after the rails were replaced, but before staining.
Oh wow....we started pressure washing, and realized it was MUCH dirtier than we thought.
Tearing out EVERYTHING!! Trees and bushes included. :-)
The very first day we worked. Dad up on the ladder putting up soffits, and Dan measuring and cutting the soffits. He has permanent blisters on his hands from the snips. :)
Dan, working late to get that LAST piece of soffit up. Look at his little tool belt? Isn't he cute!?!?
The front of the house after the siding was put up. Landscaping has been pulled out, and soffits are done. :) WOW! It's a huge improvement already! Can't wait to get the bushes and mulch put down. Then, hopefully, HOPEFULLY, we're done for the outside for the summer.
