Progress outside

We decided to start outside. There is so much to do inside in so many different rooms, that we figured we can get the back in good enough shape to enjoy somewhat quickly.

While we still have more ideas - this is a good start. Mostly, it was filthy - years must have passed with only the weeds to enjoy the yard.

Before:




In Progress:



We hung this lattice by simply nailing furring strips directly to the cinder block wall - using my new favorite tool: a power hammer. This thing is amazing, and scary. You put a nail in the front and a .22 caliber round in a chamber - voila! We like the lattice look and have considered going down the other wall with it.


Craig just had to see what the stain looked like - we'll finish it soon enough.

Closed - An Unsettling Settlement

We finally did it.

I find the "Buying and Selling" post comical at this point. Did I actually think there were going to be no more surprises? Because the first few steps went so well, I was delusional I suppose.

Just about every thing that could go wrong, did. While the end result turned out to be better than we had ever imagined, getting there was stressful and terrible. We had a mortgage broker completely flake out on us (think two separate week long periods where there would be no contact whatsoever). We lost the opportunity to get into a needed program for the mortgage. Then - when everything seemed to be falling into place with a new, better mortgage co. - we had appraisal issues (too low) in combination with a stubborn seller. We actually were forced to go look at other houses less than two weeks before we were scheduled to settle. Apparently this showed the seller we weren't messing around and he lowered the sale price to the appraisal amount (by $20,000, mind you).

Settlement ended up going mostly smooth and we found out that the house is much older than we thought - the first recorded sale of the property was 1809! We'll have a bicentennial party next year.

So now that we're moved in - and sort of unpacked - we're eager to get working. We're starting a few small projects. Unfortunately, the first major step is removing some load-bearing walls and that is something that we don't consider DIY. Contractor's will be coming by to give some quotes and I'll have some pictures and updates as work progresses.

About the new place

The new place is in Little Italy - which is a nice, traditionally Italian neighborhood in the heart of downtown. The location is great and we'll be able to walk to plenty of good spots - restaurants, bars, shopping, grocery store, etc.

It's a typical Baltimore rowhouse, here's the front

We plan on painting the window trim, adding shutters and flower boxes under the windows. We're not sure on color yet, but black is what we've been talking about recently.
There is another window that is hidden behind the jeep just below the first floor window.

It's a quiet street - we have off-street parking across the street in a parking garage, but it seems like there are always a few spots available.

When you walk in the front door you are in this foyer type room. There is a fireplace to the right. The next room is about the same size and has another fireplace to the right. We are hoping we can remove this wall and open up the space. The doors will be stripped and reused elsewhere, they are huge and have some cool, old hardware on them.

This is that second room - that wall directly in front will hopefully be coming down also.

This is where the new kitchen is going. It's a shame that when we rip the wall out that the faux ivy lattice wallpaper will have to come out - it's a gem - more on that later.

There are four fireplaces in the house, two of which are sealed off. The mantles look like they are in good shape and will be salvaged - they should look great in front of exposed brick.

The kitchen is in the basement. It's quite average and getting a new one upstairs is high on the priority list. It'll be nice to have this while the first floor is in shambles.

I wish I could say that we are all pushing 7', but it's not true - the ceiling is really that low. This is the other half of the basement. That wood floor is going to come out (it takes about 5" of height) and the kitchen will turn into more of a wet bar (to accompany the pool table).

This is the master bedroom on the second floor. The wallpaper here is another rare specimen, we can only assume it was hung to have yearlong Easter celebrations. The beams are exposed in this room and are huge - we are in disagreement about what will happen with them. Maybe cover them with drywall, maybe paint them...

Here is some brick that has already been exposed - this is the stairwell wall and the brick will stretch from here to the front door.

Third floor bedroom - they both look about the same.

Some outside pictures. Lots of work to do here - but it is a relatively big space for the city. There is no alley behind the house, which gives it more of a private feel. The deck picture is the neighbors' houses - file this under 'long term goals'.

View from the stoop. This is looking down toward Craig's office building the other direction is more rowhouses. The harbor is just past that block!

I can't give a tour without pointing out the talent of the meticulous wallpaper artist. This is clearly why we love the house.

Selling and Buying

We have decided to chronicle our next big project using this blog. It will hopefully be a great way to track the progress and tribulations of renovating a rowhouse that is 200 years old.

While we absolutely love our house - our first house - here on Forrester, the time has come to move up and take on a new challenge. We have learned so much about caring for a home and are looking forward to taking that knowledge and building upon it with the rowhouse on S. Exeter.

Performing a renovation project on a home of this age will certainly teach lessons, affirm limitations and try emotions. Although, I truly hope that the buying and selling phase - where we are right now - proves to be the most stressful. It has been a relatively quick process that has been filled with highs and lows. Ultimately, we have been very fortunate despite a mediocre real estate market.

The current owner of the rowhouse quickly accepted our first offer and has been very helpful throughout the process. Our house was listed and we received two offers within seven days! We are getting just under the asking price for our house and we are buying the rowhouse for about $35,000 less than the original listing! Needless to say, we are quite pleased.

The settlement date is tentatively scheduled for June 4, 2008 - assuming no more surprises. We are sort of expecting a few more surprises, but our fingers are crossed. For the time being, we will be packing, getting our house ready for the home inspection and letting our imaginations run wild with ideas - more on that later.