September 20, 2007

Blog or Greek Epic?

While other blogs have begun at the beginning, we begin, in the tradition of the Homeric epic, in the middle. There have already already been many memorable moments and adventures (which have entertained our friends to no end and usually prompt a sympathetic hug) that we have had the joy of experiencing (they have made us stronger) and which we (M & T) will share with you during the inevitable slow-downs and stoppages, the days and weeks when yet another contractor has disappeared without a trace and I need to remind myself that this too shall pass.
A little background. My hubby and I bought this house with the proceeds from the sale of our 800-square-foot co-op just off 4th Ave in what was then an area of a "recently expanded" Park Slope (at the time, the area was still full of the Puerto Ricans quickly being pushed out of the neighborhood, and rarely did a deadly stroller-weilding Park Slope mom ever appear, unless she was also a developer with a condo-building twinkle in her eye). When the sale actually went through (with help from the Crown Heights "Jewish Mafia," my recently deceased grandmother, a man who I will refer to herein as the "Magician," and our just-plain-stubborness) we thought we had been through the worst of it (ha, the "worst of it"--I think we can all give a good loud GUFFAW over that bit of un-informed silliness). Anyway, we bought this five-family four-story brownstone knowing that the first order of business would be to get the three rentals ready to go since we are dealing with a VERY limited budget and rental income would be the only way for us to carry the mortgage while renovating. So, our story opens midway through the renovation of the rentals at a time when our cash cushion has become an old beat-up pillow with very little stuffing left and our future hangs on getting at least one apartment rented as soon as humanly possible or at least by October 1--(good times indeed). But before I go any further, let me show you some pics of the house which despite the trials and tribulations, we are absolutely over the moon, head over heals in love with.....
Exterior

Interior Highlights

Yes the paint selection was chosen by the previous owners and no--there is no relation to Prince

Molding

So our plan is to hold on to as much detail as we possibly can without sacrificing comfort and modern amenities. We will occupy the lower 2 floors and basement which we will renovate after the rentals are up and running. Other than that basic formula we are sort of taking it as it comes and what our budget will allow. My next entry will bring everyone up to speed on the rentals--what we had to start with and what we* have accomplished over the last 3 months.

""We" in the context of renovation means M and T, and some combination of pros, friends, all around contractors (which should probably be called handymen) but more on this next time.

Posted by HomeSweetstuy at 7:43 AM | Comments (12)
Categories: house

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