Naomi, it broke my heart to sell my mother-in-laws house after she passed away 20 years ago. It was build in 1921, only 1450 sq ft but each and every bit of it was usable, not wasted like homes now a days. When she got so ill and I was taking care of her, I convenced her to pull out the carpet. I'm sure you could imagine the beautiful hard wood planks on that floor. They were redwood!! We moved her to my house and had the floors redone. They were just beautiful! Opened up the house even more. I have no idea where they got the redwood from but that was what the floor guy said they were, 1/2 thick redwood planks. When was finished with the whole house, he actually misted up. He said it was a genuine pleasure to work on those floors. It broke my heart to sell that house but my in-laws were dead set on selling it and splitting the money. We wanted to buy it but because my husband was gone a lot at that time, I didn't think I could take care of any problems that would come up with renters. Plus the fact that I didn't know if there was any way I would ever rent the place out to just anyone.
The ceramic heaters in the bathroom were restored at the same time the floor was as was the den walled floor to ceiling with the same redwood planks. When we brought my mother-in-law back to her home, she was shocked. She said she never knew what was under the carpet and the floor over the hardwoods. Someone knew and had overlaid the hardwood with subflooring If she had, she would have had them done years ago. She was able to enjoy her home for a few years before she passed. She was so proud of that little house.
Consider these houses gems that need a little spit and polish to bring out their luster again. They've sheltered families for far many years then expected and they deserve any loving care we can give them.
I've never known anyone to keep that many receipts for all the years they have owned a home. Something we should have done but don't. From now on, I'll follow your example, well, let's be honest here, I'll give it a better try. I'm not that organized!! |
