Comments on: Email Answer: First Time’s The Charm? http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/ The Story Of Two Young People Falling In Love With Their First House Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:24:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Andrew W http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-115977 Andrew W Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:24:29 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-115977 My wife and I took this process to an effective, hilarious level. We made <a href="http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AlmnYUANa-7ldGVZX3hveGVFclVtN0hCdGpwNlNKNWc&hl=en" rel="nofollow">a spreadsheet</a> of every characteristic a house could have, and then, separately, we ranked each characteristic. With those ranks, we could match up everything we agreed was important and discuss everything we didn't see eye-to-eye on. It turned out we were already in 95% agreement. But the best benefit turned out to be having a document we could refer to as we look at houses, making sure we focused on what was essential in a house rather than getting distracted by something exciting but not a priority. My wife and I took this process to an effective, hilarious level. We made a spreadsheet of every characteristic a house could have, and then, separately, we ranked each characteristic. With those ranks, we could match up everything we agreed was important and discuss everything we didn’t see eye-to-eye on.

It turned out we were already in 95% agreement. But the best benefit turned out to be having a document we could refer to as we look at houses, making sure we focused on what was essential in a house rather than getting distracted by something exciting but not a priority.

]]> By: Brenna http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-55067 Brenna Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:19:40 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-55067 Your blog was recommended to me by a friend in the Richmond area, as my boyfriend and I are in the process of buying our first house (the inspection is today!). I just wanted to say thanks for all the great tips so far. The house we are buying (as long as everything goes through) has had all major updates done, and your site makes me excited to spend time on all the fun stuff with decor. We will also be putting in a new patio, so I'll be back for sure. Thanks! Your blog was recommended to me by a friend in the Richmond area, as my boyfriend and I are in the process of buying our first house (the inspection is today!). I just wanted to say thanks for all the great tips so far. The house we are buying (as long as everything goes through) has had all major updates done, and your site makes me excited to spend time on all the fun stuff with decor. We will also be putting in a new patio, so I’ll be back for sure. Thanks!

]]> By: YoungHouseLove http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-43807 YoungHouseLove Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:43:24 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-43807 Hey Erica, We're all about using whatcha got so don't rush to replace that trim. You can save it! In your case we'd suggest getting the wall paint color and smooshing it into all those gaps with an angled brush (without worrying about getting it on the trim. Then let that dry and go over the trim with <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/06/how-to-paint-trim-like-a-pro/" rel="nofollow">this fabulous brush</a>. You'll get a clean and crisp result every time. Hope it helps! xo, s

Hey Erica,

We’re all about using whatcha got so don’t rush to replace that trim. You can save it! In your case we’d suggest getting the wall paint color and smooshing it into all those gaps with an angled brush (without worrying about getting it on the trim. Then let that dry and go over the trim with this fabulous brush. You’ll get a clean and crisp result every time. Hope it helps!

xo,
s

]]> By: Erica http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-43804 Erica Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:08:15 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-43804 Love your blog! We are young newlyweds who recently purchased our own fixer-upper. I love the design and color palette of your house. Our house came with darker brown stained trim and doors in rough shape (from wall paint to nicks and dents) and I'm in the process of painting it white for a lighter, less dated look. Problem is, sometimes it is flush against the wall, and in other areas the trim leaves a slight gap creating ugly paint lines. How did you undertake your trim projects? Is it just better to replace? I've used tape, smaller brushes, etc. Help! Love your blog! We are young newlyweds who recently purchased our own fixer-upper. I love the design and color palette of your house. Our house came with darker brown stained trim and doors in rough shape (from wall paint to nicks and dents) and I’m in the process of painting it white for a lighter, less dated look. Problem is, sometimes it is flush against the wall, and in other areas the trim leaves a slight gap creating ugly paint lines. How did you undertake your trim projects? Is it just better to replace? I’ve used tape, smaller brushes, etc. Help!

]]> By: YoungHouseLove http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-43467 YoungHouseLove Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:12:32 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-43467 Hey Lisa, Yup, as long as you're careful not to get spraypaint into the part where the bulb connects to the chandy, spraying the socket covers should work (and look great). Hope it helps! xo, s

Hey Lisa,

Yup, as long as you’re careful not to get spraypaint into the part where the bulb connects to the chandy, spraying the socket covers should work (and look great). Hope it helps!

xo,
s

]]> By: Lisa http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-43436 Lisa Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:37:22 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-43436 Love the chandelier make over! Quick question. I plan on doing this with my chanelier, however painting it black. The socket covers are currently beige. I have looked everyone for black ones but can't find them. Do you think I could spray paint the current ones black as well cause it might looks funny with the clear round bulbs. What do you think? Thanks! Love the chandelier make over! Quick question. I plan on doing this with my chanelier, however painting it black. The socket covers are currently beige. I have looked everyone for black ones but can’t find them. Do you think I could spray paint the current ones black as well cause it might looks funny with the clear round bulbs. What do you think? Thanks!

]]> By: Anita http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-42375 Anita Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:11:05 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-42375 Everyone has great tips, so I'll only add this. Often times, with all the HGTV shows, Decor Blogs, Pottery Barn magazines and our friends even seeing how we've been able to do all our own home improvements, they go into house hunting thinking they can buy a fixer upper and *just* do it themselves as well. The truth is it's a lot different once you're faced with it so pick a house that is GOOD as is. Don't walk into it thinking OH we can do this and this and this. Painting is one thing. A kitchen reno (which we're doing now on our own) is a whole other animal. In addition, we have a full time job (plus commuting), so it doesn't happen over night. We were without a kitchen sink for weeks! I second, a good inspector. We had a really good one recommended by a friend. He poked and prodded everything. Don't skip the appraisal either. Also, don't get pressured into buying a house you can't comfortably afford. My friends had no clue about insurance, the way interest is accounted for on the mortgage, real estate taxes (we live in one of the highest tax states). Whatever that number is in the end, remember that your raise may be 3% a year, but your real estate taxes can and WILL only go up. Everyone has great tips, so I’ll only add this. Often times, with all the HGTV shows, Decor Blogs, Pottery Barn magazines and our friends even seeing how we’ve been able to do all our own home improvements, they go into house hunting thinking they can buy a fixer upper and *just* do it themselves as well. The truth is it’s a lot different once you’re faced with it so pick a house that is GOOD as is. Don’t walk into it thinking OH we can do this and this and this. Painting is one thing. A kitchen reno (which we’re doing now on our own) is a whole other animal. In addition, we have a full time job (plus commuting), so it doesn’t happen over night. We were without a kitchen sink for weeks!

I second, a good inspector. We had a really good one recommended by a friend. He poked and prodded everything. Don’t skip the appraisal either.

Also, don’t get pressured into buying a house you can’t comfortably afford. My friends had no clue about insurance, the way interest is accounted for on the mortgage, real estate taxes (we live in one of the highest tax states). Whatever that number is in the end, remember that your raise may be 3% a year, but your real estate taxes can and WILL only go up.

]]> By: Katherine http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-42357 Katherine Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:04:51 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-42357 Great question, great post, and lots of great tips on here! I definitely agree that thinking and talking about what you need and what from a house is paramount - know what you can compromise on, and what you just can't live without (or with!). And location is a big one as well. I just wrote a post on some tips for first time home buyers , which you can check out on my blog. Great question, great post, and lots of great tips on here! I definitely agree that thinking and talking about what you need and what from a house is paramount – know what you can compromise on, and what you just can’t live without (or with!). And location is a big one as well. I just wrote a post on some tips for first time home buyers , which you can check out on my blog.

]]> By: Katherine http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-42354 Katherine Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:09:45 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-42354 Thought I'd throw in my two cents, since my boyfriend and I have just bought our first house (we officially close in two weeks). We were looking for something similar: a house that we can put our own stamp on and add value to, but not a dump. We managed to find a great little house with good bones but lots of opportunity for updating, and it is actually in the same neighbourhood that we were living in already. My advice is to know what you're looking for (we talked A LOT together about what we wanted in a house), yet remain open minded. Try to find something that has been reasonably well-maintained and cared for with good bones, so you can spend your time and money on the fun stuff. Look past aesthetic stuff that can easily be updated, like ugly wallpaper or light fixtures. And finally, location is important, because that is one thing that can't be changed. You can follow our house-buying/renovation adventures on my blog: http://ournewnest.wordpress.com/ Thought I’d throw in my two cents, since my boyfriend and I have just bought our first house (we officially close in two weeks). We were looking for something similar: a house that we can put our own stamp on and add value to, but not a dump. We managed to find a great little house with good bones but lots of opportunity for updating, and it is actually in the same neighbourhood that we were living in already. My advice is to know what you’re looking for (we talked A LOT together about what we wanted in a house), yet remain open minded. Try to find something that has been reasonably well-maintained and cared for with good bones, so you can spend your time and money on the fun stuff. Look past aesthetic stuff that can easily be updated, like ugly wallpaper or light fixtures. And finally, location is important, because that is one thing that can’t be changed.

You can follow our house-buying/renovation adventures on my blog: http://ournewnest.wordpress.com/

]]> By: Joni http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/email-answer-first-times-the-charm/comment-page-1/#comment-42236 Joni Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:19:43 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=12545#comment-42236 Sherry mentioned layout was important to them, which is hard to alter (unlike paint or ugly light fixtures). Another thing to consider is light. We knew we wanted lots of natural light, which can be hard to add. I definitely second the rec to wait a while before making big changes. We didn't have money to start renovating when we first moved in, and a year later I'm glad we didn't b/c our ideas have changed drastically since then. Once you do start big projects, make sure to enjoy even the small spots you've already fixed up. It makes the whole process a little less overwhelming. One more tip - take your time. We spent 9+ months and countless hours looking for a place to buy, which was frustrating. But, we're glad we didn't buy the first place we liked, since we realize now it would have been a bad fit. Good luck! joniluvschachi.blogspot.com Sherry mentioned layout was important to them, which is hard to alter (unlike paint or ugly light fixtures). Another thing to consider is light. We knew we wanted lots of natural light, which can be hard to add.

I definitely second the rec to wait a while before making big changes. We didn’t have money to start renovating when we first moved in, and a year later I’m glad we didn’t b/c our ideas have changed drastically since then.

Once you do start big projects, make sure to enjoy even the small spots you’ve already fixed up. It makes the whole process a little less overwhelming.

One more tip – take your time. We spent 9+ months and countless hours looking for a place to buy, which was frustrating. But, we’re glad we didn’t buy the first place we liked, since we realize now it would have been a bad fit. Good luck!

joniluvschachi.blogspot.com

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