We survived our first flip house. We hoped to complete it in 3-4 months. It took nine. We thought we'd do two of these a year, piece of cake. We are doing one every two years. It was a strain on the marriage and family life, taking up many, many weekends pulling out old nails, ripping up floors, painting old siding in the glaring sun. But in the end, we did good. We left the house 1000% better than we found it. We made a little tiny postage stamp of the neighborhood a place where a family can enjoy living again. We made some money on the house, not enough to buy the horse-drawn sleigh, but enough that we were pleased. Of course if we figured it out to an hourly rate that might depress me.
We worked on that first house, removing the dirt and grime, the neglect and odors, the damage and disorder. We lovingly and very slowly, improved it, giving it a fresh face, a solid foundation, and a few bells and whistles. By the time our three months had turned into nine, we were both sick to death of visiting 'the flip house' and yet not ready to hand our baby over to just anyone. Well, actually we were willing to hand her off to anyone for the right price, but we were attached. So much positive energy, wishful thinking, color swatches, elbow grease, all handed on to the next owners. And when it was over, it was a very happy and mildly sad time. I needed a break. I wasn't ready for the commitment it takes to give up shopping weekends and barbecues for paint rollers and putty knives. But, here we are, one year after that first sale. And we are ready to love again. Like the first house, we stumbled upon this one after rejecting many on the market. It took so long for the current owners to respond to our offer, we had almost forgotten about it after the first week or two of anticipation. But then in January, the news came. The prior owners were accepting our offer and we potentially have another baby to raise. Another house that is. Another flip house.
I'm excited, anxious, kind of like the second pregnancy. You know the pain ahead of you, your eyes are wide open, and yet it was a good enough experience, that you want to try it at least one more time. So flip house #2, here we go. Let's hope you too someday become the house we drive by occasionally to see how the new owners are taking care of you, commenting once again with parental pride, "It really does look good, doesn't it"
Flip House #1: After. 2012