Written by Jim the Realtor

February 16, 2011

We already know that virtually all sellers of short sales are behind in their payments, and have lost interest in keeping their house.  Expect the same for home maintenance – most short sales end up needing work. Here’s an example:

13 Comments

  1. wincompetent

    after you rip up the carpet and pad, how do you get that urine smell out of the cement slab?

  2. Deb

    Clean it again and again with bleach, then paint it over with Kilz. And pray. That was a pretty bad case.

  3. Local Boy

    Just have the Termite Co. put the tent over and around the pine tree–once they fume it, you’ll be able to pull that tree out like a weed!

  4. Mozart

    $75K to fix it up right?

    Mstr. Bath = $15K
    Kit. = $15K (tile stays)
    Flooring = $15K (wood)
    Paint = $3K
    Baths = $10K
    Misc. = $2K
    Landscape/Hardscape = $15K

  5. Chuck Ponzi

    Vinegar.

    It works. We took a rental some years ago where the former tenant had kept their 3 dogs in the garage all day. The garage when it got warm stunk to high heaven. We tried everything… the owner even tried Kilz and floor paint to no avail.

    I read online about vinegar and went and bought a gallon for a couple buck at Ralphs. First sprayed it, and then poured it out and spread with a squeegee. It was gone in a day. I was blown away with the simple solutions to some complex problems. It has something to do with the acid of the vinegar neutralizing the pet urine acid/base or something like that (I’m not a chemist).

    I never worry about pet smells anymore. Smells like money.

    Like Jim says… we’re going to be replacing carpet/bathrooms/kitchens anyway. Might as well be a cheap one.

    Chuck

  6. Travis

    I count myself as a buyer who will want to customize the interior when I move into a house. As someone who does not have experience with such projects, I find it very informative when you share price estimates to renovate. I’m sure everyone has different taste, but getting a ballpark estimate is helpful to set realistic expectations. Thanks for sharing this information.

  7. Jim the Realtor

    Yes, thanks Mozart.

    I’ll add my two cents to your accurate numbers:

    Mstr. Bath = $15K – should get you a full travertine re-do of shower/tub area, new faucets and sinks, and new travertine tile countertop. Hopefully would be enough to trav the floor too.

    Kit. = $15K (tile stays) – counting a new fridge I think you could spend $7,000 to $8,000 just on appliances, so new sink/faucet, trav counter, and cabinet tune-up? $15K if you really worked it well, could spiral into $25K easily.

    Flooring = $15K (wood) – many nice options at this price point.

    Paint = $3K – I’d spend double and get a good crew to hand-paint the wood (doors, baseboards). I think for $3K you only get the spray-only guys, but better than nothing if on a tight budget.

    Baths = $10K – A good place to save money, could get away with $1,000.

    Misc. = $2K – there will always be $2K in miscellaneous, always plan for it.

    Landscape/Hardscape = $15K – I think you could spend $2,000 over the next 12 months, once you removed the pine tree. – We’re getting quotes, but I’m guessing the tree removal will be $2,500.

    BTW, the Paradise Tree Company that removed the big canary palm on video a couple of weeks ago? Bounced checks to everyone involved.

  8. no_techie

    I’d remove the master bath vanity and replace it with a complete unit that includes the countertop and sinks. It would probably be less expensive and you would get a better quality and more user-friendly cabinet with nicer hardware.

  9. GameAgent

    > Bounced checks to everyone involved.

    Hopefully only a temporary problem.

  10. Jack

    Every tree needs to go on this property. Hardscape is good though. If it was in Leucadia it would be perfect for me but unfortunately that would probably be over 1 million there. Love the beach!

  11. emmi

    wincompetent, Enzyme based pet deodorizers work really very well. You just keep soaking the area and resoaking it until the stuff has penetrated completely.

  12. Chuck Ponzi

    Emmi,

    I can testify that this does not work on concrete. Something about concrete that neutralizes the pet enzyme cleaners when it goes on the surface. I know because it’s expensive and I tried it. Vinegar works on concrete. If it’s on carpet, use the enzyme cleaner.

    But, I’ll be honest. If there is anyone’s pet urine on the carpet, I’m ripping it out and replacing it, end of story.

    Chuck

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Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group

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