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If I were single, I would just rent a nice apartment (depending on my budgets) and invest money wisely in stocks and mutual funds to let it grow. That way, I would not have to do any mowing the lawn, shovelling snow, maintaining the house, etc... Problems solved.
That doesn't work if corporations have taken over most of the apartment rentals in your city, and raise the rent by $100/month every year, until you're paying double the rent you were when you got in. A lot of people can't afford that, but it's going on in cities around the country, not just in high COL areas like Seattle, NYC and the Bay Area.
If I were single, I would just rent a nice apartment (depending on my budgets) and invest money wisely in stocks and mutual funds to let it grow. That way, I would not have to do any mowing the lawn, shovelling snow, maintaining the house, etc... Problems solved.
When I was still riding the bus to work in Denver, I heard other passengers say that their landlord was renovating their apartment building, they wouldn't be able to afford the rent after it was finished, and they didn't know where they were going to live. I'm writing this from my nice, paid-off house. I may be sweaty from mowing the lawn, but I don't owe anybody anything.
When I was still riding the bus to work in Denver, I heard other passengers say that their landlord was renovating their apartment building, they wouldn't be able to afford the rent after it was finished, and they didn't know where they were going to live. I'm writing this from my nice, paid-off house. I may be sweaty from mowing the lawn, but I don't owe anybody anything.
My house isn't paid off, but even with adding in the cost of upkeep, I couldn't rent a place for what I'm paying in PITI. It's nice to have a (mostly) fixed cost when it comes to housing...and very glad that I bought this house when I did, too, given how prices keep rising in my neighborhood.
As I often tell myself when I get frustrated at where I'm at in terms of where I'd like the house to be, "Twenty, you wouldn't be in this house if the former homeowner had taken proper care of it" and "thank goodness he wasn't more ambitious with his lackluster DIY skills" as that man left a fair amount of deferred maintenance and should never have been permitted to handle either a caulk gun or a paintbrush! On the flip side, he *did* tear up the carpet to expose the hardwood flooring (that needs to be refinished) and left a few nice plants in the front yard for which I mentally thank him often.
O.P.--it's always going to be something with a house, but if my widowed mother can learn to the things that she's learned to do since my dad died (she emailed me today to tell me about repainting the front porch and doing several other outdoor tasks that my father once did), you can do the same. By the way...it took my parents about twenty years to get the house to state that it's now in with mom waiting until the end of those two decades to get the kitchen that she'd been planning the entire time. Thanks to my late father's green thumb and hard work and the continued efforts of my mom, the yard looks like a park. In other words, playing the long game might be the wisest way to go even if it doesn't take you twenty years to get the house fully up to speed.
Fun fact: the only person who I can paint with and not kill or get dictatorial is my mom, lol. I mostly prefer to paint solo. A "painting party" with everyone doing things a bit differently would drive me batty. Mileage varies, of course, so that idea might work well for you.
Once again, you've definitely got this, lady--even if you have moments of feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. I'm glad that you were able to glean some support and advice from those of us who have been (or are still there) where you're at with your house.
Last edited by Formerly Known As Twenty; 05-23-2021 at 08:20 PM..
if people want to see your new home, then say yes you'd love to see them and while they are there, they can help you with the _______________ pick a chore (weed whacking, install A/C unit, mow the lawn), and after that chore is done (working on it with their help) , you can enjoy snacks together.
Have also been a single homeowner. Lawnmower gas is no problem. I bought a little can and fill it up at the gas station. I got a 2.5 gallon as the gas would go bad in the bigger one before I used it.
Weedwacker - I asked for a battery powered one for Christmas. It's not as strong as a gas one but I can actually start it. About 5 years ago I hired someone to do a deep trim on my sidewalk and I may need to do that again. Under $100 and my sidewalk no longer stuck out when I looked at it from down the street
^^^^ this was about the time I had an epiphany that it would be cheaper for me to hire someone to do certain things. I could sit at my desk and still work, and they'd get something I needed done in a few hours.
Case in point: I hired a guy to trim a few trees and patch my sidewalk. I can't remember what I paid him, no more than $300. But he was here for over 4 hours and cleaned up all the tree debris and did the sidewalk patching I had stressed over for years.
Last year I got a guy from one of my jobs to trim neighbors trees that overhang. He only wanted $20!!! I gave him $50. I helped him clean up and load the limbs into his truck.
I tried to hire a friends workers during a slow time to paint my garage but that hasn't panned out yet. I'm picking at it as I can. They'd probably have it scrapped and painted in 2 days.
I've asked a neighbor to help me put an AC in - it was a 15K and insanely heavy.
I've bought lawn supplies at tag sales and swap meets. Sign up for your local FB Buy Nothing group or tag sale page.
For the projects you are capable of doing, just do them in small steps. Nothing says you have to do an entire project in one sitting.
See if your local high school offers adult ed classes in home repair.
One of the things I figured out after I became single was that I work really well in small chunks. So I made a list of each room and other specific chores like trash. I assigned each task to a day, and no longer do I spend what I feel is a large amount of time on one day cleaning. And I feel I do a better job
if people want to see your new home, then say yes you'd love to see them and while they are there, they can help you with the _______________ pick a chore (weed whacking, install A/C unit, mow the lawn), and after that chore is done (working on it with their help) , you can enjoy snacks together.
Here you go, OP--the perfect solution! Either they'll suddenly come up with a reason why they don't have time to visit just yet, or they'll pitch in and help you with your to-do list.
For the fridge, go to google, put in the brand, model number and what issue you're having. It will tell you the fix. You can order the part cheap online then go to you tube to find a video on how to replace the part.
I understand you want your friends to see a set up, done home but the reality is, that ain't happening and only happens for retired people with no job.
As was mentioned, make use of those friends wanting to come over. They'll understand that you're not unpacked, need to paint, etc. They'll usually gladly give you a hand, when they get their house, you repay the favor.
Gardening is best done early morning, then it gets too hot. You can go back out early evening when the sun goes down.
As was mentioned, see what your dad needs help with so he has time to help you faster.
The painting should be the last of your worries as it's not the most important thing. Paint your bedroom and maybe the living room until you settle in. You haven't been there that long.
Anyone else feel this way? What should I do about it?
Yes, I still feel this way and I have lived in my home for 38 years! What should you do about it? Do what you can when you can---don't worry about it. As long as your pipes are good, roof is good, windows are secure, electricity is safe, you are in good shape.
I am actually updating my home now. Yes, it is overwhelming, so much updating.
Once again, you've definitely got this, lady--even if you have moments of feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. I'm glad that you were able to glean some support and advice from those of us who have been (or are still there) where you're at with your house.
Formerly Known As Twenty, your posts are so supportive and packed with really useful info and tips. I'm sure that the OP appreciates them a lot.
Just wanted to say thanks for your positive spirit!
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