All Forum Posts by: Kat W.

 Get a good speaker, play music, and enjoy the ride! It’s hard work, frustrating, but so much fun and satisfaction!

Our place was very cosmetic, so we were able to do just about everything. A contractor friend did the deck with our help. When replacing light switches, we found one with questionable wiring and had an electrician come to take care of that. We had the garage door opener done by a professional.

I grew up helping my parents update the houses we lived in so I had a basic knowledge of processes. YouTube and knowledgeable friends were extremely helpful in troubleshooting and learning tips for the different jobs.

And highly recommend this paint brush for trim and edging

Wooster Q3211-2 Shortcut Angle Sash Paint Brush

We ended up really liking the place, so stayed for six years and rented it out instead of selling. It took us about two years to fully renovate except the deck. We did that and a few other things that aged out while we lived there in the last six months prior to selling. We could have finished quicker, but we enjoyed life along the way.  

@Tyre Carmon

My husband and I did one. Our biggest mistake was unpacking and living in the entire place prior to renovating. However, it was our first home and we were excited. ;)

Next time we do it, our plan is to do our bedroom and possibly bathroom, prior to moving in. When we move in, other rooms will have minimal furnishings until the room is complete. This will help eliminate needing to move furniture, working around, and/or covering it. We may continue with minimal furnishings until complete depending on how well we can close rooms off from construction dust. This plan will adjust depending on the specific property and how much work is needed. For example, if it’s just cosmetics and we can paint the entire place prior to moving in, we will likely take a long weekend to knock that out.

Do take into account if you only have one full bath that needs renovation. We will likely address that prior to moving in. However, we have bathed in the kitchen using the kitchen sprayer and standing in a Rubbermaid tub, with occasional showers at a friend’s. So there are ways.

Welcome! Often a good place to start is a house hack or live in flip. We did the latter. As your primary residence, you can likely get a loan for 5% down. 

@Lee Bell I wondered if it might not be an improvement, but thought it could be. 

@Yamundow Camara

Does your lease state improvements can’t be made without your prior approval? The pool could possibly be considered an improvement and then your lease does address it. Just a possible thought.

@Henry Lazerow

Terro should work as the main ingredient is Borax. In my own home, I mix borax with powdered sugar and water. Put it out in a couple places. Ants are gone within a day or so.

Mopping with a vinegar solution also helps as the tiny ants we get in Indiana (and likely what you are dealing with) leave a scent trail for others to follow. The vinegar helps cut the scent trail.

I didn’t mean to salvage that mirror, just that you may be able to find a mirror free or cheap that could be salvaged. Also don’t know if you are doing the work yourself or contracting out. 

Scrub it really well and see how things look. 

Spray paint goes a long way on mirror frames. We took one similar to your posting of an old medicine cabinet and painted the frame white. Cheap and looks great. 

Replace the toilet. 

I would probably do some vinyl plank flooring. 

Check out your habitat for humanity restore for items.