When's your close? This seems like a bad idea to split costs. What happens if the roof isn't put on before close? Did she offer a credit instead of splitting the cost? What happens if you don't close?

Close is middle of March and if new roof isn't on before then, current owner will escrow her half and if she doesn't, the price of the house minus her half of the roof will be released.

I am very confident the close will happen and there is nothing on our side that would prevent it.

You can always yelp.com for online referrals. I found the person to help with renovation through the apartment building I previously lived in. Most hotels and apartment building have a contractor who does the maintenance and repairs to the property.

You can get cast iron tubs refinished for about $500 here in Southern Cal, it will last for several years but they don't last forever. Better than $3k-$4k to rip it out and replace tub and wall tile.

Not sure about countertops, old countertops are usually tile and people don't wants that. Maybe some googling will give you some answers.

Peopel should try to avoid flipped houses, they are quick fixes with poor to average quality of parts.

I find that 5 PM is the best time to start home projects. Who needs open hardware stores or ample light?

you got a garage, don't ya??!?

New roof goes on this weekend.

Any suggestions for a good riding lawn mower?

How big of a yard?

oh yeah, got bored and decided i needed a fence, some drainage and gravel. i am installing gravel because yay! california drought and drainage because lol! california drought. 3/4-1" in front of the fence, decomposed granite in the back...eventually.

At my age, more than I want to mow even using a self propelled mower.

Counting the hillside, slightly less than half an acre.

Hire a gardener unless you like getting out and doing stuff.

Around here, a lawn service would run $50 to $60 a week JUST for mowing. A riding mower would be about $2,000 to $3,000. You do the math.

What does math have to do with it? He didn't say hiring someone was cheaper.

Do you enjoy mowing the lawn? If the answer is no then you will be better off hiring someone if you can afford it. Gas, maintenance, time, storage, all should be considered. Also there's no reason why you can't hire someone until you buy a lawn mower. If your house needs other repairs or projects then it might be better to wait til those are done until you buy .

If you decide to go the riding lawn mower route, look for a local dealer that does their own servicing and maintenance. Cost will be more than at a big box store but when you need repairs and service you'll have someone taking care of you. Prices are usually negotiable at local dealers.

With only a half acre I wouldn't go with a zero turn unless you have a ton of obstacles in your lawn. Zero turns are more expensive but they are a time saver on big lawns plus they are more fun to drive.

As far as brands go it really just depends. Just don't buy the cheapo one from Wal Mart.

I know he didn't say it was cheaper but given a new mower would pay for itself in about a year, it doesn't make much sense to hire a lawn service.

Do you seriously not understand the point that everyone is making?

It's even cheaper to just buy a push lawnmower. I suggest you go that route.

LOL at buying a lawnmower instead of goats.

You live in the one place in America with no Mexicans?

Does your lawn really need to be mowed weekly? Also during winter months you don't need any mowing.

OP could easily get by with one goat for a half-acre. BBQ that sumbitch Labor Day weekend, and it's like free money.

Do you seriously not understand the concept of being thrifty where appropriate?

Lot is too big and I am too old. Before you suggest neighbor kids, I live in an area where there aren't any close.

Don't think the neighbors would like that.

Racist.

It depends on the grass and the precipitation.

Do I look Greek to you? I have eaten goat and I don't like it.

fence & drainage completed. It rained hard right after i buried the drain and it worked awesome.

next up, weed barrier + 3/4-1" rock in front section


base rock + decomposed granite in back


still need to take it down a couple inches first. more dirt for the track!

plumbing fun today. opened the irrigation bucket thing to find it full of water. It's located next to my main. i have no plans to use the irrigation.

turned out, the crappy connection to the main they did when installing the irrigation was leaking.





just below the T and the PVC coupler is a piece of what i am guessing is brass going into the black line leading to the meter. It was rotted through and leaking there.

chopped it all out and replaced it



fun stuff

I'm a total rube about all of this stuff, but I'm remodeling and I have to pick a bunch of appliances.

I need a new refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer.

Obviously the kitchen stuff has to go together, does it all have to be the same brand to look good or can I get away with mixing brands if everything is stainless?

For space considerations the washer and dryer should to be stackable, unless those all totally suck, in which case I could have some walls knocked down but I'd prefer not to go that route unless necessary.

I've never bought any home appliance bigger than a window A/C unit, so I have no idea wtf I'm doing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. What brands should I be looking at or avoiding? Any features that are must have?