Monday, January 12, 2009

Monday-Trashed Rental Update

I didn't get home until almost 10 tonight. I am ready for this to be over but there is still so much to do. I am almost at the point where I stop noticing more chores to do because things are getting finished. Here's what was accomplished-

-I arrived early, walked through and made a to-do list for the handyman. He showed up at 8 and I gave him enough chores to keep him busy all day.

-Last of the large junk has gone to the dump.

-All furniture moved to the garage.

-Got estimate for cleaning carpets. The guy said $400 but he can't guarantee the red stains will come out. Recommends carpet replacement. Said they were the worst carpets he had seen in years.

-Called around for carpet installation estimates. $1,700 was the highest but he could do them now. Others said 2-3 weeks.

-Decided to rent large carpet cleaner for 2 days-$50, and try cleaning. Most stains came out, red ones did not. Strategic rugs and furniture placement should cover most. Will try to cut and patch hallway stain.

-Minor setback, linoleum was ripped while moving fridge. Spent $235 on peel and stick linoleum tiles for kitchen. Stained carpet in master bath will be ripped out and replaced with linoleum too.

-And best of all, the crack-fish were successfully delivered to their new loving family. Unfortunately, there were only 3 fish left this morning(used to be 6). The big one got hungry! :o

More tomorrow! And thanks for all the comments! I love reading them (even though I am supposed to be working).

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Who said rental units were passive income?

Anonymous said...

Wow. I was tired after emptying the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen counter and sink, and mopping the floor. I'm feeling kind of guilty now. Go, girl, go! Thank goodness it's a house and can be returned to more or less the same condition as before. Does your insurance cover acts of drug-addled crazies?

Sharon S said...

Hi there-very well done to all concerned!!

Money Minder said...

Sounds like you see a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope it gets easier for you from here.

Anonymous said...

I am still amazed at the fact there are people such as your past tenants. I feel sooooo sorry for the 2 kids. I hope Social Services does catch up with them.

Has the car disappeared yet?

You're doing a great job! :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm curious like Big Sis - does your insurance cover anything? Are the tenants liable for any of this? Keep your spirits up, it sounds like you're doing a great job. Wishing the best for you!

Lizzie @ her homeworld said...

I am so so put off ever having a but to let property!! Hope you make it before the new tenants arrive and I am sure you will.

Lizzie

Over the Cubicle Wall said...

I am amazed that you found the time to find the fishies a home in the middle of all of this. Way to go!

Veronika said...

I've been reading your blog for quite some time now, and since you mentioned that you love reading the comments - I thought I should finally leave one..
I am amazed at how much you've been able to accomplish! It's great that you have supportive friends that are able to help you out with the hauling to the dump and painting.

moocifer said...

Hi, Daizy,

congrats on your progress.

re: the floor or floors in general,(this may come in handy!) I just heard about a way to refinish a floor using brown paper and rust-ol-eum polyurethane varnish. Basically, you apply sheets of brown paper to the floor (at first in tiles, to get even coverage, using Rustoleum to "varnish it" on. Then after you get your base layer, you can take odd-sized torn bits of paper and varnish those on, creating a cheap and very interesting floor pattern and visual texture. It is a "warm" and soft look and feels soft when you are walking on it.

Since you are an artist and a landlord, I thought you might be interested in it. The pictures looked beautiful (I think it might have been in Yankee magazine) and it cost only about $235 for a room.

I don't know about flammability issues but apparently this was an old-time technique by Yankee frugalites who would just use their old grocery bags to do it. The couple in the article used heavy duty construction paper instead, though.