All Forum Posts by: Chris T.

Flyers with tear-offs in local coffee shops can work well too. I know I've seen a lot of this, especially with renting a room in a house.

Like many on here, I've learned by doing. There are great books at Home Depot and Lowes you can buy that teach you how to do almost anything. YouTube and Google are your best friends when you get stuck.

Painting and clean up are the easiest, followed by drywall and tiling (drywall requires a lot of patience due to having to use multiple coats of mud), and then comes plumbing and electrical.

Get the right tools for the job - a good cordless drill and saw, trowels, paint brushes, etc. the extra few dollars will save you a lot in trips to the store and lost time.

I like using a 24" metal paint guard and wiping after each pass with a rag. I've stopped using blue tape as of a couple of years ago and it has paid for itself many times over. That and a Wooster brush is all I use anymore.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Allway-Tools-24-in-Paint-Shield-PS1HD/202284232/

I've used Home Depot like others on this forum, and had great results. If you're looking for higher end blinds, you might try blinds dot com. I've heard they are good too.

1. Remove trash and any other debris.

2. Surface clean and inspect for any health / sanitation issues.

3. Make a prioritized list and execute in order:

A. Modifications needed for safety or code - foundation, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.

B. Fix any moisture leaks, pest control problems, rotting.

C. Modify walls and floor plan where appropriate.

D. Prime and paint.

E. Tile in bathroom and kitchen?

F. Remove carpet to expose wood floors, or add wood flooring / new carpet.

G. Upgrade bathroom fixtures if needed.

H. Replace kitchen cabinets and counters. Sometimes cabinets can be refaced or cleaned.

I. Update light fixtures.

Welcome from Denver!

From someone who has built a fence before and doesn't do it for a living, it's a lot of work, and you can get hurt easily if you don't know how to use the tools or haven't done it before. For example, if you use a hole auger, you will very likely get it stuck in the ground and the force can injure you if you don't know when to let go.

It's one thing to do it on your own house and assume the risk yourself, but quite another to allow a renter to do it on your house. It's a great workout for you, the homeowner, if you want some exercise, and the results are great when you're done, but I wouldn't recommend you let your renter build a fence.

Take Care,

Chris

Thanks Melodee. It's hard sometimes to upgrade a property without a lot of extra money, but I like to try and find deals and do a lot of the work myself. I've learned quite a bit with trial and error in my current home, and am now just getting it the way I want. I think the hardest part for me was the bathroom because with older houses, nothing is straight so you have to improvise when it comes to tiling and drywall.

Chris

Hello new BP friends,

My name is Chris Tucker and I'm an engineer, DIYer, and consultant. I've provided technology consulting services to the construction and real estate industry for nearly 10 years. About a year ago, I decided to use my passion for software engineering to create a new rental listing website.

My long term goals include owning additional real estate properties and renting them to great tenants while using my love for tools and home improvement to continually make them better.

I look forward to meeting all of you and wish you the best in the pursuit of your goals.

Best Regards,

Chris Tucker