All Forum Posts by: Daria B.

@Jim K., @Brian Pulaski

Thanks I knew I was overthinking which tends to be overwhelming. 

It’s a small kitchen (10 total upper and lower) going with basic white shaker cabinets. Amazon seems to have some nice pieces and prices for bulk. 

I have decided on getting pulls for all the drawers and doors rather than trying to mix up the pull vs knob.

Who has chosen all pulls and what size for the drawers and doors? Are you choosing the same size width? If I choose the same width I don't want the drawer to look off if that size is ok for the door. eg The vertical vs horizontal vision of the pull. Am I overthinking this? :-|

Thanks @Mike Reynolds I did a comparison materials list against Lowes as a comparable and found that HD had lower prices (to help save cost) same quality or better ( I don't know ). Lowes Project Source blinds I use and found them to be easy to install and affordable for my budget for the rentals. I volunteer with Habitat in my area and was surprised they also use Lowes Project Source blinds.

@Ned Carey thanks for the info. Two of the contractors I am getting quotes from I have already expressed them using their contacts/vendors. One has already suggested the Lifeproof waterproof LVP flooring and what I see from HD, it's more expensive than I want to go with. I have seen other flooring that is still good quality. I need to keep costs down (like most do) while still getting good quality. Weighing items like flooring and cabinets and bulk small items (hinges and door knobs) and type (chrome vs nickel that cost more), if they can get what I want then I will have them supply those materials, otherwise, I need to be prepared to get them. I know that most contractors, I suppose all, get material at a lower price than the walk-off-the-street typical person.

@Russell Brazil when you call them on it and ask if they are a tester, do they admit it? That is a waste of your time and knowing this and catching them in the act, so to speak, does that get you out of the showing. Clearly they are not looking to buy / rent.

I posted this in the DIY forum but perhaps it will yield better results here.

Before I settle on Lowe’s / Home Depot, I wanted to find out what other same-type local stores exist in the Catonsville, Glen Burnie or near that carry things like door knobs/ hinges, HVAC registers, kitchen cabinet hardware, light fixtures and even appliances.

I don’t live in the area any longer and have not for many years and the area stores have changed so much.

It’s a whole house upgrade and while I have settled the cabinets and flooring - it’s the other little things that I now need to consider. I have priced both Lowe’s and HD as comparison and HD seems to have better lower prices though they don’t carry the same manufactured items too much. Lowe’s is big on Project Source and their window blinds are less expensive than HD brand.

Are there any local stores for those living in this area would recommend or I should consider that I can look into for variety, price, availability?

Thanks so much...

Hello All-

Before I settle on Lowe’s / Home Depot, I wanted to find out what other same-type local stores exist in the Catonsville, Glen Burnie or near that carry things like door knobs/ hinges, HVAC registers, kitchen cabinet hardware, light fixtures and even appliances.

I don’t live in the area any longer and have not for many years and the area stores have changed so much.

It’s a whole house upgrade and while I have settled the cabinets and flooring - it’s the other little things that I now need to consider. I have priced both Lowe’s and HD as comparison and HD seems to have better lower prices though they don’t carry the same manufactured items too much. Lowe’s is big on Project Source and their window blinds are less expensive than HD brand.

Are there any local stores for those living in this area would recommend or I should consider that I can look into for variety, price, availability?

Thanks so much...

@Mark J. I couldn't agree more on the charm the city has lost. When I moved here I counted that as a double bonus unknowingly of what the area really offered. I was coming off of years as a consultant and settling into a permanent job so I really didn't look to the investors market or too much of the standard of living - there were no plans of really staying - now 15 years later.....

I know someone who bought in Carol Estates back in March this year for $60k and has not sold it yet. The property was under contract three times and I am not sure what's going on but it's now Dec and that is along time for holding. Hopefully they will get resolved soon what issues there are and more on.

The campus area has that new "The Standard" that was built last/this year final. I guess they know students (parents paying for) want all those amenities and that's more important than just having a roof over their head with a warm place to stay. For the SFR, that has now come into play (I believe) more for choices and what they choose to live in.

Funny you mention the Duck Pond. I have an work-acquaintance (we both volunteer for Habitat) that just bought a house there. She recently moved back to Gainesville so she is very familiar with the area. I don't know what it looked like years ago and I only occasionally drive through.

Depot Park is definitely "the" place to be now. When I saw the surrounding and nearer by apartments and some SFR (clued in investors) building going on, I thought as much as the city doing some planning for revitalizing. I look through those planning reports that are published but honestly can't understand too much of it.

My opinion and I live here, it's over built. There are so many existing apartment buildings and their is still new development of more. There is also an increase in SFR and I wonder just where do they think all this will rent/sell. I looked at the city/county planning for the coming years and still don't see the support.

On the investor front, prices are high for buying and trying to make a go of it for profit let alone getting it rented.

What are you seeing with your familiarity of the area?

Just for the sake of info.

I found several references (Home Depot site reviews q/a for one) where others asked the same question on rechargeable vs one-time use.

"A local fire suppression company can recharge them however these type with plastic nozzles/necks can only be recharged and re certified for a certain amount of years (10 or less)"

I will be calling the fire department tomorrow to have a conversation with them. So far what I found I am leaning toward just buying the one-time use.