March 27, 2008

Toys for Boys (and Grit Iron Girls)

Other Recent San Diego Sweet Digs Posts:

Before I moved back to San Diego, I owned a house in Indiana in a historic neighborhood that was my very own personal rehab project.  It had good bones and a strong foundation, but had been occupied by an amputee and was very badly neglected.  But hey, I was young and eager; willing to tackle the job for the promise of fast appreciation and the satisfaction that comes from sweat equity.  I considered it a labor of love and I thought I would have that 2,700 square foot house completely finished within two years.  Ha!

I will never again take on a project like that but boy did I learn a lot.  I watched home improvement shows until my brain was flooded with good ideas (too many good ideas).  All of my disposable income went right into that house and I tried my hand at everything imaginable.  I did tile, linoleum, paint, trim and moulding, window pane replacement, drywall, plumbing and electrical.  The house was built in 1906 so these were major undertakings and I approached them with iron will, not know how.

The trials and tribulations of renovating an old house is probably a once in a lifetime experience unless you are a professional investor.  I was just a foolish, albeit passionate, home owner looking to transform something of mediocrity into a beautiful jewel.  I also believed I was doing a community service by raising the bar in my neighborhood.  For all that grandiose thinking, I made lots and lots of mistakes along the way.  I agonized over seemingly endless plumbing problems and was quickly inducted into what we called “the surprise of the month club” among my neighbors who also owned turn of the century homes.  I invested in all the gadgets and latest tools, but after 12 years, came to rely on just a few that were tried and true.  So, if you are a first time homebuyer or investor, take my advice.  There are only a few quality tools you will ever need in your pocket.  This is also a great gift idea if you know someone who is moving into their first home or relocating and has home improvement projects in their future.  Here is my must haves list that includes all the bare necessities to get anyone through just about every project.

• Miter Box and Saw with Jaws
• Level
• The Best Paint Brushes You Can Afford
• Utility Knife
• Tape Measure
• Wire Cutters
• Screwdrivers (flathead and phillips)
• Electric Drill
• Nail Set
• Wrench
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Caulk and Gun
• Putty Knife
• Tape:  Plumbers, Electrical and Painters
• Hammer