All Forum Posts by: Dan Madden

Sounds like a good deal,  I probably wouldn't put a monkey wrench in it if I could close off the attic with some sheets of plywood at a reasonable cost.

Paul -  That had to be intense!  I know my heart would be racing in that situation.   

I was was just discussing getting a ring doorbell on our way back from our STR/cottage with my wife. She wasn't too keen on the idea. I'm thinking share this story & she'll be all in plus exterior security cameras.

Good Luck!

Wow!  I did a double take on that first "before" picture with the refrigerator pulled out among all the debris - dang!  Wondered where you got the picture from the project I'm working on.  Seriously looks like the kitchen on my project.  

Anyway congratulations on a very well done end product!  

I'm familiar with that area.  My grandparents used to live a couple blocks from there on State Fair. Mostly brick homes, everything was super well cared for, beautiful elm tree lined streets (unfortunately most succumbed to dutch elm disease) a very lovely working class neighborhood back in the day.  

I still feel if you stay north of 7 mile especially around State Fair & Outer Drive you can attract decent tenants.  But as has been mentioned do stay on top of them.  Check that the water bill is being paid. Send 7 day notices out on the 2nd if rent (or water) isn't paid.  Knock on the door ask if everything is all-right.  Get inside periodically to "presumably" test the smoke alarms.  

Too much white in my opinion.  But what do I know?  I'm renovating a kitchen in a cottage & using blue lowers & white uppers. 

I'd be interested in how it's working out as well.  

Over the years I've tiled a number of counter tops & my number one tip is to use a darker colored grout.  I haven't done one in about 15 years so there maybe more stain resistant grouts available.  I'd have to be thoroughly convinced before I tried a light color again. 

I'll be tiling a counter in a vacation cottage we're renovating soon.  Got some terrific "cottagee" looking tile on closeout at HD.   Will work out way less $$ than even laminate.

 Ditto, me as well, since we're nearing completion of our vacay rental is nearing completion.  

We're in the process of renovating a vacation property so we're not on Homeaway/VRBO  currently, but would gladly join the FB group.  When we're ready well just start with AirBnb or anything else we can find that makes sense.  

We bought queen size sheets from Amazon $20.00 for how can you beat that?  There good too!  Use them at home.  

We ordered the Spa Sensations black platform bed frame at Walmart (about $60) a bit more at the moment, prices fluctuate all the time just like Amazon.  I set up price alerts on camelcamelcamel.  My wife found a deal on a a lovely "beachy"  comforter set from Bed Bath & Beyond again about $60.00. 

I admit I spent way to much time searching Amazon, Brylane Home, Bed Bath etc for nice comforters & bedspreads.  Fortunately we only have 2 bedrooms (3 beds) to deal with.   

Once we finish the renovation the plan is to by memory foam mattress $320 - $420 from the local Walmart.   Hoping this one comes back in stock in time:  

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spa-Sensations-Black-Lab...

We'll try it out & if we don't like it we have 90 days to return it.  Hard to imagine such affordable mattresses are any good, but there's plenty of glowing reviews on Amazon & Walmart.   Btw, Amazon gives you only 30 days to return.  Seems unrealistic to even attempt repackaging & shipping one back anyway.  Walmart's I can throw it in the pickup to take it back.    

So far we've invested only $140 in our queen bed.  Add $320 - $420 ($560 combined max) for the bed setup pretty cheap compared to our Sleep Number at our primary residence.