Since we moved back to IL we have been looking for a place to buy rather than rent. We were lucky enough to have flexible landlords at our duplex so we were not tied into a rental if we happened to find 'the place'. We started out on our journey not really knowing what we were looking for, just where. Kinda....
Micah grew up in Morton so he wanted to remain in his hometown. I grew up in Germantown Hills and as a serious Metamora Football Fan, I was not planning on living anywhere out of the school district. We also decided to look into houses in Dunlap and considered a few in East Peoria and Washington. Nothing really stuck out to us as we looked at newer houses, really nasty old houses, cute, ugly, big, small....you know the drill. When we found one that was somewhat where we wanted to be price wise, something would go wrong. But, finally, by May we had a little luck.
Micah's grandpa owns some apartments in Morton and happened to know of a house that was not on the market but that would be for sale shortly (estate sale). So being the helpful grandpa that he is, he requested a private showing for us before it went on the market. So we got to see the house in all it's glory....the stench of elderly, the clutter old people seem to accumulate over time, and trash everywhere as the kids were trying to pack up all of the stuff they wanted and get rid of everything they didn't. My Favorite was the blue carpet and horrid wallpaper...definitely a fixer upper. Hubby had been complaining that he wanted a place that he would be able to fix up but i don't think he knew what he was getting into. So, the day the house went on the market we put in an offer and go the house.
We got possession on the 15th of May and moved in on the 30th. (Never again will I move into a house that is a construction zone) Let's just say the house was/is a mess and we are SLOWLY getting to a point where we feel like having people come over. The roof needed to be redone and ended up being a 3 week project as Micah had no help....literally. Then it was time to get a few rooms livable. The paint on the walls and ceilings was peeling off....so micah scraped, sanded, put in new drywall, primed, ripped up carpet....stripped two of the bedrooms and living room while i ripped down wallpaper and paint when i had the chance. It was rather difficult to assist in some of the projects as I was working 70 hour weeks and taking 3 classes.
Anyhow, we are finally mostly unpacked (expect for the rooms that cannot be set up yet) and can say that we actually have decent looking rooms. The master bedroom, one guest bedroom, and the living room now have new carpet, new paint, and are set up with furniture (decorations are still in the works). We have also removed the radiant heat system and put in a furnace in order to add space to the rooms. I have some before pics but haven't take after pics yet ( will in a few days).
House from the front. This is pre-new roof and landscaping.
backyard- it is actually a really good sized yard but also has horrid landscaping. we will be redoing that next spring when we get a chance. I refuse to do anything to it until the inside looks nice (just in case CAT makes us move again)
The living room. I had actually forgotten how much I hated it until i saw this picture again. The carpet, paint, and furniture really make the room look 100 times better. (can't wait to share)
Guest bedroom (above and below) as you can see the blue carpet needed to be retired.
Master Bedroom (above and below)
Check back for updates soon. Micah is still building me a closet (trying to maximize space). We are also trying to finish up the trip and put in the light fixtures and Baseboard. Once that is complete i will show you pictures (pre-decoration).
To Do List:
guest bedroom #2/office
hallway
kitchen
dining room
2 bathrooms
landscaping
finish basement
We are hoping to have all the rooms done by Christmas and then will redo the kitchen once we replenish our funds....but for a fun little pic of how horrid the kitchen is....I am making it work but before we sell it needs some serious TLC. I believe the stove and dishwasher are the first ever made.
Guest Bedroom (Bedroom #2): carpet replaced, radiant heat removed, door replaced, new paint, new window coverings, closet fixed up, new light fixture. To do: New closet doors and paint bedroom door white.
Living Room Before: drywall replaced, radiant heat removed, carpet replaced, closet door replaced, new window treatments, new paint. To Do: put in trim and new front door. Also needing to paint all doors in house white. Carpet may be moved to Bedroom #3 and replaced with hardwood but we are still debating. New furniture will come after the house is done, I cannot wait for that day :o)
