The last step was landscaping and staging, both of which were mine to do. Both required a lot of shopping (fun). The landscaping also involved a lot of back-breaking labor!
The house was practically new by now and the neighbors were eagerly awaiting their family tour. Their aunt had been the original owner so many of my neighbor's generation had practically grown up in the house. An afternoon was set aside once the major work was done, for all the cousins and their spouses to come and have a look. All expressed amazement and said it didn't look like the same house -- it was better.
What had been done? New roof (with architectural shingles), all new windows, floors refinished, kitchen gutted and redone (except the floor) with all new stainless steel appliances, upgraded electric, laundry hook-up with new hot water heater and utility sink, mud room divided for better use of space with half for laundry room and back entrance (and could expand some kitchen activities into it as well), and the other half used to extend the 2nd bedroom. A portion of that bedroom had been walled off to create a hall to the master bedroom (instead of going through the 2nd bedroom to get to it. But with opening it to one end of what once was part of the mudroom and finishing it off, it created a nice sitting area for that bedroom. The master bedroom was finished off and new carpeting installed. Beyond it a storage room was divided to make room for a brand new full master bath. The floor for the bath and back entrance hall (still big enough for some storage) was tiled.
In the hall bath, the original tub was refurbished but the tub surround was retiled, and a new sink and lighting fixture installed, the floor tiled. A window was installed above the tub to create light and air flow although the window opened onto what was left of the mud (laundry) room. It was high enough for privacy.
Some new interior doors were installed, all new lighting fixtures, door hardware. The staircase to the second floor was opened up and the stairs refinished as was the floor upstairs in the bonus room. The two closets upstairs were finished off as well.
The living room fireplace was cleaned, capped, a new slate hearth installed, and glass/screen doors installed. The room repainted as was the adjoining dining room.
Plumbing was upgraded and repaired and of course involved more extensive work to create the new master bath.
The driveway was regraveled, the walkway to the front door cleaned, repaired and painted, and old plantings removed and new plantings put in, and other shrubs pruned and mulched. The carport received a new ceiling and structural improvements.
Old aluminum awnings were removed from some windows and over the front door. A new portico was built over the front door in a craftsman style.
The house siding was repaired where needed, and replaced in the back, then all was repainted in a nice gray. The trim was white and the front door bright red -- a sign of hospitality within. Of course, the entire interior was repainted in stylish neutral colors.
The house was then staged for market using tips from HGTV to make a beautiful presentation. Bill, my realtor, then returned for the photo session and to put up the sign. It was now ready. We both thought, as did others, that it would sell quickly. It was a quality job.
I'll be away for a few days for my daughter's wedding. But when I return I'll discuss the housing market and what we've been experiencing.
Jean, Still waiting in Maine
