Tuesday - September 14, 2010

Summer of Expensive Home Improvements

One of the few bright spots in the current economic conditions is the low interest rates. I took advantage of those low rates and loaned myself some money from my retirement account. Not only did I get a low interest rate, I’m paying myself the interest. Seemed like a good idea, ‘cause the house needed work.

Here’s a few pictures. I’ve spent slightly less than half of the loan at this time. That got me a new roof, and paint job. Roof is Art-Loc shingles by Sherriff-Goslin. We replaced ‘French’ shingles. The company that did ‘French’ shingles went out-of-business some years ago. Sherriff-Goslin was the closest match.

Front view:

I could have done regular rectangular shingles for about 2/3rds of the cost. But I was sitting on the back patio last summer when THE WINDSTORM came through Dayton. I watched my neighbors’ roofs (yes, multiple neighbors lost their roofs as I watched) literally ‘roll up’. Our house, with the French shingles, and the garage, which had the Art-Loc on, didn’t budge.

Rear view:

We’d considered installing vinyl siding. I’m glad we didn’t. I think that would have reduced the ‘charm’ the house has. It would also have cost a lot of money. After the new roof and painting, I still have slightly over half of the loan for other improvements. I’m currently ‘discussing’ (arguing) with my wife to replace all the windows. She wants to replace a few windows.

She’ll probably win this ‘discussion’. But I’m not spending anymore money on the house until next Spring anyway.

The painters did a fine job. One of the benefits of being a mailman who’s route includes an ‘Historic District’ is that I get to see, and meet, the contractors that work there. These painters had just finished a three-story ‘Victorian’ house on my route. I gave them the opportunity to bid for my poor little house. Now, they weren’t the cheapest bid, nor were they the most expensive. They got my bid because I’d seen them at work. (The cheapest bidder had too many issues with the local BBB. I wouldn’t have hired them just for that.) My wife was very impressed with the painters. That’s important when you’re married to a woman who’s first husband was in construction, and who’s mother owns numerous rental properties that need painting. She knows painting. She liked them and their work.

(pats self on back)

Posted by Christopher     on 09/14/2010 at 09:47 AM   
Filed Under: • Daily Life • Personal •  
• Comments (3) • Trackbacks(0)  Permalink •  

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