Progress Report

Well worth the effort.

Buying the Big House in a Small City was a big leap. It’s not the first time I’ve bought an old house to rescue, but I am still a nervous investor. This house has so much going for it - a manageable lot near the edge of the city and a giant park, great old house details that haven’t been ruined, high ceilings, a garage, AND a finished room over the garage perfect for office/games/working out - I just couldn’t resist.

No one else grabbed it, I suspect, because its condition was not exactly enticing. Unless you like peeling wallpaper.

We have been working hard for weeks and we aren’t anywhere near done. We still have floors to wash and lots of finishing touches to do before we start looking at cosmetic fixes outside.

But look at her now!

Obviously, we aren’t done. Painted old floors are already sporting a fresh coat of soft green paint since I took these photos. There is still wood to strip on the stairway. The half bath downstairs has had a total makeover and is now a stylish statement.

The kitchen will be the last to get some loving attention. And by spring, this gorgeous old house is going to be ready to welcome its new owners. Someone’s going to adore it, and it deserves nothing less.

I have grown to love this old house.

I thought of this as my winter job, and it’s proved to be really rewarding.