Rental Property number 2

We finally finished the renovations on the property we bought in September. I didn't document this one like the first because of many things going on over the last 2 months.

We bought this one in the same "complex"as the first. I use quotes because there are actually three different HOAs in this condo complex. Our first place is actually across the street at an angle but different HOA. Unfortunately we paid more for this one, however I did have a maximum amount that we could pay and still make money. Happily we stayed under that line and will make some money, just not a lot. But more than we could with it sitting in a bank account.

We were happy that this place did not need nearly as much work as the first condo, or so we thought. In the end we spent 3/4 in renovations on this one as the other. We didn't have to replace most of the floor, kitchen appliances, kitchen cabinets/counter top. However we did have to replace carpeting in the bedrooms, washer and dryer, closet doors, remove the popcorn ceiling, bathroom counter tops, and spend a fortune in trades (plumbing/electrical/painting).

We installed the closet doors (yep they didn't have any), paint and reface the bathroom cabinets, install the bathroom lights.  We had to get creative with the master closet doors because the opening was GIGANTIC. We installed two 96x96 mirrored doors and then use a 4x6 on either side as "trim" to fill in the gap. It looks really nice.

None of the electrical boxes were centered, so I had to MacGyver the bathroom lights. Speaking of MacGyver'ing something, when the plumber pulled off the guest bathroom shower handle the previous owner used a 14mm socket to fit into the cartridge stem. Pretty ingenuous, except I had to have it fixed.

"A" was the designer and most of what we did were her ideas. At times I thought we were over spending and doing unnecessary work but in the end it did pay off and she was correct, as usual. We put it on the marked and in less than a day we had it rented out. There are two other places that have been listed for over a month. One is $80 more and the other is $155 more but they both have garages while ours does not have a garage. In the end it was "A"s design and willingness to put in good quality work that made the difference.

Kitchen

Guest Bath

Master Bath

Refacing all the doors in shaker style.

MacGyver the lights

4x6 "trim"

4x6 "trim"

4x6 "trim"

4x6 "trim"

This was how the shower handle was "fixed" by the previous owner.

HOT HOT HOT!!!

When we got our air conditioner I was wondering if we would have a cooler summer, we didn't. And we are entering our warmer months in September and October. Today was one of the warmer days and it was super muggy with monsoon moisture in the air. We didn't get any rain here but the mountains did.

While it was a muggy 95 outside it was a cool 76 inside.

New Fridge and Dishwasher

Last Saturday we finally had our new Liebherr Refrigerator and Bosch Dishwasher delivered (we now have the axis powers in our kitchen, German fridge and dishwasher and Italian range). We were promised to have the fridge in 2 weeks, but it actually took 6. I wasn't real happy about the whole experience. But finally, delivery day!!!!

AAANNNNDDD it didn't fit. So I had to take out the trim on the right side. No big loss but now I also had to finish the wall as well as the space above the fridge.

One of the biggest anticipations was that I finally got an ice maker. I have lived the last 5 years with making ice with 1 ice tray each night. I know, right?!? But alas, I had to wait one more week to install the water line. This weekend I did and it was quite the adventure.

Installing the line wasn't that bad. The hard part was pulling the fridge out. You see, we could not get any old run of the mill fridge. No, we had to get an abnormal one, that is 78" tall and hard as hell to move. I had to use a crow bar to lift it up in front to raise the front feet and lower it enough so that the wheels could reach the ground. But I think that is actually impossible. We finally used furniture movers. Oh, and did I tell you that we only have like a 1/2 inch on each side? Oh, did I also say that this fridge is so tall that we had to rip out the top cabinet? Oh, did I tell you I had to finish the space above the fridge now?

It took one hour to pull the fridge out. Yes that is 1 hour, 60 minutes, 3,600 seconds. It took a while. And a day to finish the wall and paint.

But now I have ICE!!!

Yardwork and Rain

Our front landscape was beginning to look a little sad. Basically it has sat untouched since we planted it, well almost. We have done a little work but basically it has had the freedom to do what it wants. Apparently it wanted to die more than anything. We have lost quite a few plants, namely the fan flowers and the flax. I contribute this primarily on poor irrigation and drainage.  In the case of the flax it was too much water. When I removed it, the root was completely rotted. I think it was not enough water with the fan flowers.

When we had the irrigation installed it was a one size fit all with drips for everyone. The problem was that we had a great variety of plants/succulent so this did not work well and the casualties were high. So now we have the hardy/just right bunch still around.

Our blue chalk sticks are doing OK but some parts shriveling up and dying. I think once again it is poor irrigation/drainage.  I pruned back the Mexican Sage and cleaned up the blue chalk sticks throwing away the dead parts and propagating the healthy parts.

I really need to address the Lions Tail but will wait till this fall to do some dead heading, I learned this from YouTube.  No it doesn't mean I will sit around smoking weed and listening to the Grateful Dead. Dead heading plants is to cut back any dead parts/flowers so that it will stimulate growth. I learned how to do it with the Lions Tail and will also figure out the best way for our Pride of Madeira and Licorice Plant. Both of those are out of control.

One thing I MUST  do in the next few weeks is to re-work my irrigation. There are a few other plants that are hanging on but for how much longer I am not sure.

We actually received some rain today, IN AUGUST!!! OK, for most everyone else it was a light sprinkle, but for us it is RAIN. We actually got more than what is in the picture, that was the beginning. Water actually came off the roof, we take what we can get.

Tonight's Sunset

Pathetic Gate

Finally we decided, OK "A", decided to get rid of the metal gate that we were using to block access to the canyon. The metal gate is actually from our other house that we dragged here in the hopes that we could still use it for something. Yep we have had it there for 5 years.

We knew that we wanted a wood gate but could not decide on how to design it. Should it be permanent, should it open, or should it just be removable. We finally decided to make it removable.

We planned on using the existing  post attached to the wall on the right then construct one to the left. My original thought was to attach the 2x4 to the patio using concrete anchors. However once I started drilling into the concrete it wasn't thick enough and was breaking. Plan B was to set the 2x4 into concrete which was really easy and it should have been plan A. We used a french cleat to hold the gate onto the posts

We wanted to use any existing wood and here is where the pathetic comes in. We wanted it light so that it would be easy when we removed it. But it also could not block a lot of wind since it was such a light gate. I could see the wind catching it and blowing it up on the deck.

We spaced the vertical pieces about 8 inches apart and with it being thin pieces the gate looks really pathetic. But it does the job and we can now get rid of the metal piece of crap.

Just don't lean on it!!!!!!

Busy or Lazy?

I would have to go with the lazy side. That's the only excuse I can come up with as to why I haven't written for over a month. Although I will say we haven't done much to write about, but still I can do better.

I share with you two projects:

1. We finally applied teak oil to our furniture in the courtyard. It was looking really ratty and was in need of some TLC

2. We lowered our bed. This thing was really high, over 31", and now it is 18". It got to where our dog could not jump up or get down without possible hurting herself. Besides I never really liked a bed that high anyway. We took off the legs of our bed frame and removed the box springs. This also had an additional bonus, without the box springs the bed is firmer.

Of course I also had to lower the lamps and now we have to figure out what to do with the box springs :(

San Diego Maritime Museum

Since it was such a nice day yesterday we wanted to get out and about so we drove down to Little Italy where we had desert and then decided to go down to the bay and walk around the waterfront. I took a few pictures of the boats on display but we didn't feel like going on any tours. Here are a few pics. If you want to learn more about the San Diego Maritime Museum go HERE.

USS Dolphin

USS Dolphin and Steam Ferry Berkley

Star of India

Star of India

Star of India

Star of India

Some cruise ship

B-39 Submarine