Demo in progress

Chimney is gone to open up bedroom upstairs and make room for range in kitchen. No worries, we are keeping fireplace in the other living room.

 

Goodbye linoleum , hello subfloor and hardwoods. Plan is to tile bathrooms and kitchen and refinish hardwoods in the downstairs spare bedroom, living room, den and 3 rooms upstairs. We also found a few treasures behind the demo- beadboard ceilings in the dinning room, slate hearth under faux brick fireplace and cleaned up the drain board sink from the back porch.



It raining, its pouring, uh oh the bathroom is flooding

Demo began the day we closed and the whole place was pretty much cleared out in 5 days. So far, we've only ran across a few minor repairs that will need to be addressed, but nothing out of the scope of the original project. Demo day #2 did bring a small surprise as we turned the water on. Apparently a pipe had been disturbed during demo heading to the 2nd floor bathroom and we had water pouring from the ceiling in the first floor bathroom. I panicked at first, but was reassured that everything was going to be gutted anyway so really all was OK. All the wet ceiling tiles and drywall came out of the bathroom, the leak was quickly identified and pipe sealed. Crisis adverted and more demo ensued.

Pre-demo cleanup

Wanted to share what we've actually cleaned out of the house before demo began. Part of our negotiations included removal of the previous owners "stuff" that was left behind. Thought this was worth a peek because, well, there was a lot of it! We did take several loads to a local thrift store but we also hauled a load or 2 to the landfill.

Protecting or preparing

We had an instant connection with Linda, the lady we bought the house from. She has been so patient with us and so kind. She grew up in the house and when her mother passed away she inherited the property. She told us she'd been praying for the people who were going to buy it and don't you know we've been praying for this place and now Linda too.

One of our pastor's message's that's really stuck with me was about "God protecting or preparing" when you feel like doors keep closing. It's hard for me not to question God's plan when certain opportunities and events don't work out the way I think they should. Oh how easily I forget it's in way better hands than my own and God is working for my good no matter what it may seem in current circumstances.

We truly feel blessed to have the opportunity to buy a home and looking back we're thankful for the offers that didn't go through that led us to the white house. I pray that I am obedient to God's plan and that everyone we come in contact with through this process see's Him through us.

Closing

Wohoo! We finally closed on the house April 1, 2015. April Fools, I know how appropriate? The loan process has been daunting to say the least. We purchased our home using a HomeStyle Renovation Loan. This loan gives us the ability to bundle the purchase price of the house with our renovation costs upfront, leaving us with one monthly mortgage payment. We started the process back in December of 2014 so if you're ready for 4 months of intense paperwork, phone calls, emails and coordination of seller, contractor, loan officer, mortgage company and appraiser, then maybe this loan is for you? Although the process wasn't a breeze, we feel in the end this was the best product for us so we can begin renovations right away. Ready or not here we go! Welcome to The White House Reno!