All Forum Posts by: Alfred Edmonds

As I read it, you already have hardwood so I would get them refinished, no need for laminate at all. Carpet is nasty and I would guess that you would be replacing carpet almost every turn over. properly finished hardwood is just as resilient as laminate and if and when a tenant drags their bed across the floor and scratches it you can fix it. Not so much with laminate.

@Melissa Gittens I don't know how long you have owned this but you mentioned that it was bank owned. I've seen a few bank owned properties in Massachusetts where the bank threw a roof on to just to stop further damage. sounds like this is the case, and sounds like it's both to be totally stripped and re sheathed and may be some rafters repaired. also sounds like you've got water damage inside and may be some mold. It would be safe to say that there was plenty of damage already done prior to the newest layer of roofing being slapped on. Did anyone ever go into the attic to check things out after you bought this? If so it would seem that the rotted sheathing would have been easily seen from underneath. you've got plenty more than the roof to deal with here and I would get someone to THOROUGHLY check everything out and give a quote. taking care of 1 thing and ignoring the rest will cost lots more than doing it right the first time.

@Nasar Elarabi like that design! What's the square footage and did you build on the old foundation or dig it up? I really like it and I'm an old house purist new Englander! really great job

I wouldn't drywall. you will definitely need to access pipes and hvac at some point.

If it is the cement asbestos and not too many are broken I'd leave it and paint it. For the broken ones, they can be replaced with new non asbestos tiles, they are available to match anything I've come across. The key is to remove the broken tiles without breaking them which can be hard to do and replacing them with new ones. If you don't have the skills or patience to do it, hire someone who has experience with it as it can be frustrating. In Massachusetts, they allow removal by almost anyone as long as they are properly bagged, tagged and disposed of properly. as far as painting is concerned, don't sand or scrape them. You can power wash and use a brush to clean them thoroughly maybe use some TSP. It is very good siding, fireproof and last forever if cared for the big drawback is they are brittle so a ball smacking them will crack or break them. all in all if it's in overall good shape I wouldn't do more than replace what needs replacing and paint. otherwise you could be shelling out big bucks

@Chad Michael I don't have any experience with habitat but have an uncle in South Carolina who worked for many years for them as a Contractor. I don't know if you would get a ton of experience on cost directly but you would meet people in the business who may be willing to teach you a thing or two. I feel like those involved in Habitat might be more likely to help as they are already of that mindset. I also think karma might be in your favor by doing so. it would definitely be helpful for someone who is green to the industry because you would learn the flow of construction which IMO is essential to not screwing things up. good luck!

Painting is all about the prep!

@Jonathan Yip I don't really have any reccomendations for the lighting without really seeing the place, my point is really just about small details that I see as a "tell" when it comes to flips. I may be entirely wrong. I am in the trades so my eyes tend to go right to certain things. You know when you see a listing for a house and it looks pretty good, then you see it in person and it's a disaster? I mean like ceilings caving in and such that you couldn't see on the listing or even a room that looks ok in pictures but not so much person? I feel like if I see missing grout and water damage at a glance of the pic I'm going to really give it a hard look in person. I get that we all have budgets and that certain neighborhoods get certain treatment. I think that curb appeal outside and inside is very important. as the saying goes- you only get one chance at making a good first impression. I'm rambling...sorry... I know you'll sell it and no matter win lose or draw you'll have gotten a great education. I wish you all the success in the world!

I only want to comment on some things I see from the pics, I have no clue about the market. The overhead lights are very cheap home depot specials I would use in a C rental but not in any flip regardless of location. In the 2nd bathroom, even on my phone not zoomed in I see grout or caulk missing in multiple places and some water damage on the lower course of tile. This was me just flipping casually through. What things like that tell me especially in a flip is that things may have been done carelessly or as I would call lipstick on a pig. That's a big red flag to me as a buyer because a flip should be turn key in my opinion. I'm only trying to give feedback, not bashing. hope you sell it

should not really be an issue getting the new handle on. There's a set screw on the side of the handle that needs to be backed out and re tightened after install. The diverter in there looks like a moen I recently installed. They are all pretty standard. if the handle won't work take the diverter to the store and get one with a different shaft that will accept your handle. Make sure the diverter is the right kind (ask for help) I'd go to a plumbing supply store not HE because most guys at the box haven't a clue.