Today we started the big deck for the young couple back in Linda Vista. We are going to combine several design ideas they have and we have all been looking at photos to get ideas. One of the key issues is that the roof slopes down over the deck area and we need to design something that provides a roof cover so that the gutters on the roof can remain intact to avoid runoff all over the deck area. If we build a full attached roof we would have to tear up the existing roof and tie it in. But, we have an idea and we are going to fiddle with the structure a bit.
The young owners have moved back into their house and they are so excited. They send me emails and texts with many thanks for the work the crew did and the design decisions. Today, when I arrived with their new fireplace tile and to discuss the deck design… they gave me a very special present!! I had talked to the young lady about a fabulous expresso machine that was at a vacation rental I stayed in in Palm Springs. Lo and behold! A beautiful new expresso machine. I am humbled… it was so thoughtful
I know I know…it probably is a scraper. But I just cannot do that for some reason. I cannot see myself tearing it down and building a McMansion. I’d rather try to save some of the mid century architecture, add a nice master suite and maybe a roof deck and try to bring it back out under a million. Too many Houses lingering on the market over $2 million right now. I don’t need to be another one
I’m confused. (About many things in the news right now but let’s stick to cb’s flips. This is more fun.) If the Chicken House already has offers in the $1.3 million range, why is the agent calling you to make an offer?
Maybe it’s because I’m a fan of MCM or maybe it’s because we face selling a house that’s well above the average and are seeing similar ones lingering a long time, but I agree with doing a less pricey reno.
Also, it was heart warming to read how much the young couple appreciates your work.
Well, this morning I am facing a little personal gift issue. I got home with my big beautiful box with the expresso machine and brought it into the house (it was heavy). I showed it to my H all excited and went to get the scissors to open the box. I thought my H was going to start crying. Turns out he has been secretly maneuvering to get an expresso machine for my birthday. Long story short… I think I am going to have to take back the machine to the young couple and apologize.
Is this horrible? Should I just keep it and pretend that I am using it and very happy? I honestly feel bad because they spent a lot of money on it (but the one my H got, which he had to reveal to me, is nicer). I really would prefer that they return theirs, still in box and get their money back. Rather than keep it in a box at my house and pretend that I am loving my lattes in the morning
The offer on the Frat House is a long shot. But, the annoying thing is that I have to scramble around and make sure I have my financing/loans in place Just In Case. Poor investors… it’s a crap shoot every time. It’s the hurry up and wait syndrome… they get a call that I might need money in 5 days and then I have to send an apology a couple of days later.
The listing for the Frat House is interesting because the agent had to list several parties who are ‘exempt’ from paying commission including both neighbors, but also including one of the Frat boys (and his family) who seem to be trying to make a play to buy the house. In fact, the Frat Boy tenant actually is the one who hired for a termite inspection and a mold inspection. The documents are available to potential buyers to review. I"m guessing that the parents either made him do it to see if it was worth buying, or the tenant did it in a play to try to buy directly from the owner and/or reduce their rent or get repairs done, or they did it to make it public and dissuade any other potential buyers.
About the chicken house… that contract is still pending. The listing agent (who is the same slimy guy who is representing me for the Frat House) keeps telling me that the Buyer and the Seller are speaking directly to each other and the Seller keeps allowing the Buyer an extension. Geez… I would have closed in 5 days. Something’s fishy in Denmark. I have to wait for it to close to find out who the Buyer is.
I would keep the espresso maker and pretend! It is much kinder. They would be so disappointed! Eventually, you can re-gift their espresso maker to someone else who would love to have one but couldn’t afford it.
Re Sorrento, I associate “contemporary” style houses built around 1963 with low quality construction and cheesy materials. Does this one have nicer wood, windows, etc? What in doG’s name is that “room” shown in the listing photos?
In this case, at least according to the listing, the kitchen/dr/lr are small. Is there some way that, if you added a master suite, you could keep the house to 3br/2bath and add some space back into the public area(s)?
Agree with Consolation - this gift is coming from their hearts. They will be disappointed that you cannot accept it (even if no reason is stated).
Looked at the Sorrento - not many photos of the inside, but from what I could see, there are definitely some cool elements of MCM (the fireplace and the wood ceilings.)
I’d definately keep it and see if I could repurpose it to somewhere you also go…a family member or a vacation house …etc. That was very gracious of them.
Thank you for the affirmation that I should keep it and pretend. My H thinks I should return it. I’m sure my D would love to receive it as a gift when she sets up her first little home after graduation this month! Of course she will probably be living at home until she finds a job
As far as the Frat House on Sorrento. For obvious reasons they only included one photo of the living room. It is designed reallys trange… there is a wall separating living room and front door as you walk in. It has to go… it blocks all the view until you enter the living room. Agree that I need to do something to enlarge the living area. Not really counting on getting it, but at least I got up to bat!
How sweet that your H and the couple are on the same wavelength and know your love for expressos! I’m sure your D would love that machine as her housewarming gift in just a short while!
@coralbrook, you can take that espresso machine to your flips so you can have coffee on site. And it’ll look nice in your staging when you are ready to sell!
