Renovation Update!

Instead of posting some pictures on here, I decided to make an album of the pics I've taken so far.

I've been really please with the work done thus far. Before anything started, I was nervous that it wouldn't come out the way I wanted, but as soon as my contractor started working, I knew this place was going to work out. I am so so happy. This place is going to be EPIC!!! :-)

So anyhow, check out the pics in the album! I'll keep y'all posted!

CHECK OUT THE PICS!!

J

Renovation Realities.

 I finally started renovations! You have no idea how good it feels to get rid of all the nastiness that was in the apartment!

Take a gander at the pictures to the right. The first one is a before of the kitchen. I know. It's really craptastic. The pictures below is the work that's been done so far. The last picture is the closet being re-done. The original owner had the closet extended and made a second closet that entered from the hallway (I don't know why!) so I'm making it smaller and making the living room a bit larger.

Stay tuned for more pics!!

Things Never go According to plan...

So things never go according to plan.

I wanted to renovate and move in by Spring Break. Ha! Who do I think I am?

With the craziness that was my school work, the overwhelming work load and my own schedule, I did not have the time nor energy to start renovations. The Coop board required A LOT of information before I can even get approval to start renovations. Which I guess makes sense, but it was annoying!

Now that I finally finished school (finally!) and work has gotten a bit easier, I can devote my time to finally renovate my apartment so I can move in (yeah, I was paying a mortgage but not living in it yet, it needs THAT much work).

I have a general contractor, an electrician and a plumber all at the ready and I was finally approved to start renovations this Thursday. I'm really excited. Like, really excited. I have an awesome kitchen plan from Ikea, great appliances at the ready and an eager sibling who wants to decorate my entire apartment (she thinks it's hers to decorate...calm down T).

I will be taking some before pictures to post soon. Maybe I can send them to HGTV and win some kind of design on a dime award or something....wishful thinking. Will keep you all posted!

J.

Appliance Shopping...

So now that I'm a homeowner, I needed to start thinking what kind of appliances I should buy. I've literally been looking for weeks. There are so many options to choose from! I was overwhelmed!

Convention Oven?
Self-Cleaning?
EnergyStar Certified?
Glass Shelves?
Over-the-Range Microwave?

I have a specific budget that I was working with and knew that I had to stick with it. I went to Sears Outlet this morning with my familia to get some ideas on what I wanted.

I really really wanted Stainless Steel appliances. I feel like they would have brought the overall value of my home up. But after looking and seeing the prices, it looked like I could only afford white appliances (which is totally fine).

We walked out of Sears learning that they would have a big Presidents Day Sale starting on Thursday. Maybe I could luck-out then!

We made one last stop at Best Buy on our way home. Best decision of my life!

They had a crazy sale going on for Presidents Day! I ended up walking out of there with a 4-piece Appliance Set AND getting 10% off total purchase plus 10% off on extended warranty. I was very pleased with my purchase!

Now I just need to start working on fixing up that kitchen! Contractors are coming this Friday!

I'll keep you all posted!
J

I am a Homeowner!

As of Monday, February 4, I am officially a homeowner.

I've waited over a year for this moment! The closing process was relatively short. I half expected to be there for 2+ hours but it only took about an hour. I literally signed my name about 100+ times. With the grants I received, it made for a ton of more paperwork. With all that said and done, I own an apartment!

This morning, I went to Ikea to start the process of renovating the kitchen/living room. In its current state, it is not very functional. There is no oven (just a cooktop...who does that?) and it's very cramped. My hope is to make it a functional space that I can cook my Pollo Guisado or my Arroz y Gandules in. My plan is to have all the work done by Spring Break and take advantage of the time off to move in and buy anything else I need. Let's hope things go according to plan!! I'll keep y'all posted!

J

P.S. Tonight is my first official Cooperative Board meeting!

It's The Final Countdown...

Today was the final walk-through of the apartment before the closing tomorrow afternoon.

The apartment looks so much bigger empty and de-cluttered! And you can totally see what needs to be done. Definitely need a new kitchen which has to be done immediately. The bathroom needs to go too! A lot of the electrical work done in the apartment looks crappy. People can be so cheap!

I still can't believe tomorrow is the closing. I'm nervous! But excited and ready for this next amazing journey. I'll let you know when the magic finally happens tomorrow!

Wish me luck!

J

Closing Date is Set...

After months and months in contract, limbo, confusion, etc...

I finally have a closing date! 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

I still have to do a final walk through, get a bunch of papers in order and go to the bank a few times and get Cher knows how many bank checks. Let's hope this goes smoothly. I'll keep you posted!

Wish me luck!

JP