All Forum Posts by: Kathryn Bowden

@Steve Babiak, would you call this an Arts & Crafts style house then?  It was built in 1940.

@Chris Parrish, @Sam Lin, @Katie Neason, @Steve R., @Jim Adrian, @Colleen F., @Steve Babiak, @Julia Blythe, @Valerie Hiscoe

I wish I had posted this photo before.  The comments are very very helpful and I'm so thankful for the help on this forum.  These two windows you can see on the front are about 52" X 52" each.  Then there's three more similar windows on either side of that living area.  This is a small 1/1 600 sq ft. home.  We are currently putting on a new roof gutters, etc., and will be repairing the cedar shake siding in places and then re-staining it and of course prepping and painting all the trim.  There will be a new much nicer door here, probably craftsman style with a window.  New hardware and lighting, everything you would expect.  If we were to replace these windows, what style would you use?

@Katie Neason

Just to be clear, the aluminum windows we are definitely replacing. It is fixed glass windows that don't open - pretty. They are all in the front and would be consistent. They are quite large and will be expensive. Like I said, old ugly are no brainers. I'm wondering if someone has been faced with windows like these on a less expensive home. The comps are super hodge-podgy and varied incomes in this area (mostly mid to lower). So it's not an easy call.

We've been going back and forth on this one.  This cottage when done will sell in the $135-$145,000 range.  This will be a good price for a house this size in this area.  So not a high dollar flip.  It was built in 1940, and changing out old ugly aluminum windows is a no-brainer, of which there are a couple.  But the whole living area has about five large fixed glass original windows.  They look nice, but are the original single pane window.  We live in a fairly temperate climate on the Oregon coast.  Rarely gets below freezing, and rarely gets overly warm.  But there is a good deal of wind.  What are thoughts on windows and how important or maybe not to have the most energy efficient?  I'm feeling like this flip probably doesn't warrant it.

@Matt Turbitt, the Ikea farmhouse sinks looked like a dream come true.  I had forgot you said this, but then ran into them online.  Ikea isn't terribly close to us, but might have been worth the trip.  However, looks like they are discontinuing these.  :-(  Are you still able to get these in your area?

@Jay Hinrichs, I really appreciate your second and even more thorough post about this topic. Thanks to you, I have already called the State and I personally will be working on getting our GC license (will be setting up our LLC to cover us both), while Brian continues to work on our first official flip. Now that I have thoroughly assimilated this reality (which initially bummed us out), we have decided it will behoove us on several fronts to be sure we're doing everything on the up and up. Regardless of a possible $5,000 hit, we just want to be covered and not feel like we're skulking around or have something to hide. The other plus is it will cover us if my husband wants to do an excavation job or make a cement countertop for someone (his new passion). Basically, we will have other income options should we ever need it, which is a good feeling of security. We'd also be covered with insurance and a bond. I mentioned we have a relative in Oregon who does not have their contractor's license who does flips. I spoke to him about this on a visit this weekend, and he didn't actually know this and they've done many many flips. I got the feeling he really just didn't want to know it. But I think it got him thinking. Anyway, much appreciated that you brought this to our attention. It's a hassle and an expense but we are serious about what we're doing, and will be well worth it.

@Account Closed, meant to tag you ....

Yes, sure is - BofA.  I now use my mobile app.  :-|  Well the one thing that sounds sort of exciting about CC is that they're working on that airport down there.  Where something like United would fly in and out?  If that happens, it seems like it could really open the area up.  Yes, bound to be a hot beach town some day, but perhaps not in our lifetime.  :-)

@Account Closed, thanks so much for that insight on Crescent City.  It always looks and feels pretty "depressed" to me when I visit.  By that I mean economically.  Even my bank down there closed.  Not necessarily a glowing recommendation as an investment area.  :-)  Some day, that area will come around, as they aren't making any more beach towns, if you know what I mean.  :-)

@Account Closed, thanks so much for this information, neighbor, I have it on my list to study.  Meanwhile, we are working on our second flip up in Gold Beach, the opposite direction.  One thing is for sure, its' a beautiful drive.  :-)