Blizzard Dec. 19-20, 2009 w/ 18" of Snow!

18" plus accumulation! With blowing and drifting blizzard conditions starting at 9pm on Saturday 12/19/2009 and ending at noon on Sunday 12/20/2009. Wind gusts close to 50 mph!





They brought in earth moving equipment as the plows were not getting through. I live next to a large open field, so it drifted across the road to probably 3' deep!
My house from the street after 3.5 hours digging out!
The city plows were stuck in front of my house until the earth moving equipment showed up!

This shows how deep the snow is by my garage. Close to 6' after digging out the driveway!





Here is the snow piled up at my back door when I opened it this AM to go get the paper.

Drywall almost done in Laundry Room

Saturday, I got all the wiring completed. 6 new outlets and 2 new lights. The previous owner had taken lamps apart and one hanging over the washer/dryer and one in the closet under the stairs.

The trick with wiring is to start at the very end (the last, new wire each outlet back to the point where you make the connection t the outlet) and to the "live" power.










































Sunday morning, I went to home Depot and rented a "Dry Wall Lift" It would be impossible for one person to hold a 4' x 8' sheet of drywall over your head while you attach it to the floor joists, so this "lifts and holds" the drywall in place while you put about 25 screws in to hold it in place.

The other challenge is that you have to measure and cut out the holes where the "recessed can lights are". I use a "paint can" to trace the outline, then a drill to make a hole, and a jig saw to cut the pattern out. Plus, you have to cut out notches for pipes, or any other obstructions.

All New Laudry Room Plumbing in 12/4/09

Before I can tear out the kitchen, I have to build a temporary kitchen downstairs in the basement.

The laundry room in the basement is 12' x 15' but unfinished. So, I am putting in walls, cabinets, counters, and a sink as the "temporary kitchen" in the basement.

Before I can do that, I had to have a plumber come and tear out the old cast iron drain pipe, add 2 new drains, and ADD new hot and cold running water for the sink as there was none before. $1,200 for the plumber! I think I am going to be a plumber in my next life. Now you know why I do this stuff myself!

*A little "perspective" on Newport Colonial Era homes, first. Most home are 200+ years old, with hand dug basements and only 5-6 feet of head room. Filled with mold and water as the foundations were built with beach sand masonry and rocks. It's rare to have a "laundry room" in the basement of a Newport home! My house is only 60 years old, so I have a real basement (unfinished).

So, the new laundry room will be dry walled with a drywall ceiling, white cabinets, white counter tops, white appliances. I plan to paint the floors with gray epoxy paint. It will be really clean and bright. Most basement laundry rooms are so dark and dingy. I already have a new washer and dryer I bought when I lived in Dayton.

This weekend, I installed and wired (6) recessed CAN lights, rewired the 220v Dryer outlet, and added and wired 3 GFCI outlets. ***You didn't know I was an electrician, did you? I purchased the counter top, sink and faucet today, along with (24) 2 x 4's and 20 sheets of drywall.

So, here are the PHOTOS of before the drywall goes in.
Next are cabinets and tops.
*There was one ceiling light before.

bought my new kitchen today!

After shopping for 2 weeks for kitchen cabinets...I got quotes from Home Depot and Lowes for $12k and $13k respectively for just the cabinets. I found a place in Providence, that is a builders supply warehouse. Anyway, Black Friday Sales was an extra -12% OFF and I got the entire kitchen PLUS the laundry room base cabinets AND this MAPLE BUTCHER BLOCK island cabinet for $6k! These are all plywood, BUT, I have to assemble the cabinets (like my I did at my house on Greenlawn)! Anyway, saved $6k! I probably won't install them until January, but could not pass up the extra discount! I had to rent a truck and pick them up today.




The photos are so you can see the COLOR and Construction DETAILS from the showroom sample display.

I am
planning on putting in Stainless Steel appliances and a TRAVERTINE tile wall behind the counters.

Now, I have to find a good deal on Granite!


OK, enough with the kitchen....now back to Dry
walling!

Thanksgiving 2009 Hanging Drywall

Here are a few interior shots of Today's episode of "This old House"! Today we are hanging drywall in the master closet. The room is 20' x 8' dormer on the front of the house. It was unfinished and unused when I bought the house. Planning on putting in 8' of wire shelving on either side carpet the floor. Also, framing the basement for the laundry room. Need to move supply and drain lines, so I can put a temporary kitchen downstairs while I remodel the Kitchen upstairs. Tomorrow, I may go buy the kitchen cabinets! Maple with a dark cinnamon finish.















This is the master bedroom...nice wall paper eh?















This is the 1st floor guest room, my temporary bedroom. The living room above.














Kitchen before remodeling...hey at least I have a refrigerator, sink and a stove!
















vintage 1950's stove! Like the floor tile? Here is the messy basement with the new shelves.















Here is the framing for the new laundry room. New cabinets counter and new floor will be going in soon! I nee a plumber to come and move the drain and supply lines.

well, there you go! I promise new photos soon!

Chip

40 Dexter St, Newport, RI 02840 9/18/09

I have been looking at a winter rentals for the last 3 weeks (September to May) for a 1 or 2 bedroom and I just cannot rent. I think the worst is over in the housing market...and Interest Rates are still around 5%...

Everyday, I check realtor.com, yahoo real estate, zillow.com and several other real estate websites including Craigslist for a house to BUY. I have also been working with a Realtor for about a month and a half. I just cannot afford any of the homes in Newport.

3 weeks ago, there was a Craigslist posting on for only 3-4 days. ...if you did not know, on Craigslist, you can be "anonymous" and the owners names is concealed and no phone number.

From Iphone

I drove by the property listed address and looked in the windows...could not find anything out about the house. No signs, no furniture inside. The owner never replied to my email on Craigslist to take a look at it. So, I assumed they took it off the market.



Monday, I rode past again on my scooter at lunch and old car was out in front and a retired guy was cutting the grass. I stopped and asked if he knew how I could get in touch with the owner. He said he was the owner and gave me a tour. I went back again today with my camera and walked through the house again.

Anyway, For Sale By Owner; 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, 1 car attached garage CAPE style house on a quiet street with a nice back yard. The house is right on the city line for Newport and Middletown (you can see it on the map link below.) Like Oakwood to Kettering comparison.


View Larger Map

It is impossible to get a 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a full basement and attached garage in Newport for under $500k. This home was built in 1950, it is approx 1,300 sq. ft. and all new 30 year shingles, brand new windows and siding on the entire house. However, the inside has not been updated since 1950! The owner's mom passed away in January and he inherited it. There is no mortgage on the home. He was not sure if he wanted to sell it. But he owns 2 other homes and does not want to cut the grass anymore.

You can see from the pictures, I need to put in a new kitchen, 2 baths, and refinish the floors, put a deck on the back... But, he ACCEPTED MY OFFER today of $205k! It was appraised in January for the estate settlement at $244k. Believe me, after looking for almost 3 years....this is a great DEAL!

Nothing else like it for this price and anything like this home listed by a Realtor in this price range is ONLY on the market a day or 2.

* So, no Real Estate Commission (SAVE $12,000) and I also get the $8,000 First Time Home buyer credit ( I have not owned a home for 3+ years)

There is a HUGE (maybe 5 acre lawn) to the left of the house owned by the school district. (it will never be developed) Across the street is an elementary school...but again a huge open space.
Very quiet area (Except for school kids when I am at work)...only about 2 miles from downtown Newport shops and restaurants. I had a Real Estate Attorney draw up the Purchase and Sales Agreement today. The SELLER can sign tomorrow or Friday.

This will be all interior remodeling which I love to do...and I get a HUGE BASEMENT to work on my Invention Stuff! But I CAN MOVE right in...and live there....most of the other FORECLOSURES I Looked at were trashed! This is clean, just needs updating.

Hopefully close by October 15th - Nov. 1st...
Will need to fly home one way, have a huge warehouse sale in the parking lot of my stuff on Friday and drive back with all my belongings...
Time to make it permanent.

Can you believe this MONTH has been 3 years since I first drove out for a week to make sure I wanted to move here? And I sold my house in February of 2006! Where does the time go?

KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED FOR ME!

14 Sherman St.

MLS #948512

COLONIAL 2 FAMILY EASILY CONVERTED TO A SINGLE.MANY WONDERFUL DETAILS & IMPROVEMENTS.HARDWOODS,NEW HEATING SYSTEM & ROOF.UPDATED BATH/JACUZZI IN FIRST FLOOR UNIT,GREAT OWNER OCCUPIED.STONE GARAGE W/ GAS/ELEC & 1/2 BATH. SUBJECT TO LENDER APPROVAL.



Property Information for 14 Sherman St
Save Listing
Property Features
Multi-family Property
* Status: Active New
* County: Newport
* Subdivision: HISTORIC HILL
* 2 total unit(s)
* Year Built: 1850
* Complex features: 1 Building(s), 2 Level(s)
* Style: Up/Down
* Parking space(s): 3
* Parking features: Detached
* Heating features: Gas
* Forced air heat
* Central air conditioning
* Interior features may include: 2 Fireplace(s), 2 Heat System(s),Concrete, Full, Unfinished, Wall to Wall Carpet, Attic, Stairs, Common Laundry, In Building Laundry
* Inclusions: Dishwasher, Hood, Oven/Range, Refrigerator
* Exterior construction: Clapboard, Shingles
* Estimated gross income: $31200
* Unit 1 has 5 room(s)
* Unit 1 has 2 bedroom(s)
* Unit 1 has 1 bath(s)
* Unit 1 has 1 full bath(s)
* Unit 1 is renting for $ 1400
* Unit 2 has 5 room(s)
* Unit 2 has 3 bedroom(s)
* Unit 2 has 1 bath(s)
* Unit 2 has 1 full bath(s)
* Unit 2 is renting for $ 1200
* Tenant pays: Heating
* Community laundry facilities
* Lot features: Paved Driveway, Sidewalks, Walk To Water
* Lot is 3912 sq. ft.
* Utilities present: 100 Amps, Circuit Breaker, Common Meter, Sewer Connected, Water Connected
<<<CLICK HERE>>> to see this home on Realtor.com



View Larger Map

3 houses I am looking at today

26 Poplar A and B (short sale)

67 Annandale (2 family, not leased)

17 Clinton Ave. (3 units)

THE 12 METRE GOLDEN YEAR OF RACING BEGINS

A yearlong calendar of racing and events will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the classic and elegant 12 Metre Class of boats in the America’s Cup Competition. This “Golden Year” will highlight the famous 12 Metres with regattas in Boston, MA (immediately following the Volvo layover), Newport, RI, Edgartown, MA, Nantucket, MA and New York City, NY. The centerpiece of the “Golden Year” will be the 2009 12 Metre World Competition in Newport on September 22-27. Special events open to the public will include competition viewing, a dockside party, a lecture series, book signings and film presentations. The 12 Metre Worlds Co-chairs are Gary Jobson, W. H. Dyer Jones, and Jan D. Slee, 12 Metre Class President.

In 1958, the elegant 12 Metre Class made its debut in the America’s Cup as the victorious Columbia (US16) defeated the British challenger, Sceptre (K17). In the 2009 Worlds, not only will Columbia again compete, but as many as 35 boats including 14 from Europe and Australia are anticipated. Fierce competition will capture memories of times past and attract sailing stars, fans and media from the world over. Not since the America’s Cup competitions have the waters and winds of Rhode Island Sound hosted such a collection of 12 Metres.

A full calendar of events can be found at www.Goldenyear2009.com.
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Now playing: [unknown] - Sailing
via FoxyTunes

One unforgetable year from 12worlds on Vimeo.

Ian Walsh surfing Hurricane BILL at Ruggles.

This is a clip of professional surfer Ian Walsh surfing BILL at Ruggles.
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Now playing: The Beach Boys - Surfing, USA
via FoxyTunes

Touro Park in Newport Rhode Island Viking Mill Tower & William Ellery Channing Church

Today I searched for homes to buy in Newport. Found some interesting candidates. The best one was already under contract, though. 5 Conrad Ct., for $315,000.00 Edith Cushing is the Realtor.

Came home, watched the end of the Liberty PGA Golf Tournament. Tiger came in Second. Grilled a steak and nuked a potato for dinner. Then, grabbed a cigar and took the dog for a walk into town.

Walked up Spring St. on the way home through Touro Park. See the image I took here:

From Drop Box

And someone else's video here