We’ve sold 2 homes and bought 3. We always sell FSBO and always buy foreclosures. This last home we bought had been on the market for over a year and a friend told me about it. They were willing to negotiate drastically. When I sell a home, I go through and make a list of everything that needs to be done before putting it on the market. I am very anal about it! Ask my husband. So, I decided to make a list for my home, before we ever put it up for sale. NO, we’re not selling or putting it up on the market anytime soon…never if I have anything to do with it. We’ve moved about 13 times in 13 years. I don’t want to move again unless someone wants to give me a house on Kauai…or Maui…actually I’ll take a house on any of the 8 islands of Hawaii.
So I made a list of things I’d like to get done. It helps me to see it in black and white and to be able to check off each project. It’s an easy way to attack projects to be done. I simply get overwhelmed if I don’t do this. I know…our homes are always a work in progress. I just want to get a few things done. I’ve yet to touch my master bedroom and bath. Those deserve notebooks all on their own…not lists.
How do you attack projects to be done? Do you go room to room and make a list?
I am so happy to learn that I am not alone in my list making. I do this, too. I survey each room and make a list of all that needs to be done — for me, as well as the possibility of moving one day. Thanks for sharing your lists!
I usually have a general list on the fridge of items I would like to finish during the season. Then I also have a weekly list and a daily list. Each has more than can generally be accomplished but hey shoot for the stars. My biggest list is to get ready for a party. I list out everything that has to be done a week ahead of time on each day and down to the smallest detail of putting out fresh towels to lighting candles. I must say though it definately helps to have the list. I do not have to beg, plead or nag my husband for help. He knows he can pick and choose what he wants to do on the list. And the kids help too. I had to give up the micro managing it if I wanted to keep the help. So in a nutshell you are fine.
I love lists too, I make them for everything! I also go room to room and list what needs to be done, I find it easier to list down what needs doing, it makes it seem much more manageable.
Since we have spent the last 20 years in the military we have moved alot. About twice a year I go through our house and yard and think “if I had to move what would I want to purge and fix” — and yes, that becomes my list. Now, some of the things have been on my list for a long time. lol. lauren
We've got a list on the fridge as I type! We're looking to put our house on the market in the next couple of months.
I have a running list categorized by room. I am a freak that uses Excel so I can move stuff around to my liking. On the list are little things like new knobs to big things like repaint and flooring. This list has been running since we bought the house 12 years ago, but its so fun to see it dwindle down.
I am a list girl as well…room by room. I love to see what I want to do and then I can figure out where to start…and how much each project will cost.
I can't wait to see your projects complete!
Good for you! I too am a list maker. In fact, I can't make it through a day without one. I like to see what I've accomplished at the end of the day. If I don't write it down my lists just spin around in my head. Who has time for that? I sure don't. We also keep an ongoing “To-Do” list for our household projects. My husband is always wondering when our list will be done…(never of course). 🙂
What a great idea to do this before it's time to list your house so you can enjoy the improvements yourself! We've moved about 16 times so I totally know where you are coming from and anytime our place has been on the market, I'm also so anal about it to – not a chipped bit of paint anywhere!! It has always brought us top dollar for homes we've sold and numerous comments from agents about how impeccable everything looks. Time for me to make a list for our current place and no, we're not selling either! : )
I do lists, too. We hang them inside the kitchen cupboard and check them off as we go. By the way I think you're seeing things written in blue on pink.
I am a list maker – it's a good thing, and a curse! I just made a huge list of projects that we have started that we have to get finished. It's way too long!
About the forclosed homes… My hubby and I bought two houses in our lifetime..both being a forclosure. A lot of people are afraid of them. We see them as a home that needs to be loved. I, myself am a big list maker too.It helps with getting things done!
My husband and I just bought 2 foreclosed homes. Any advise? We are newbies at this and although he is excited…I'm feeling alittle overwhelmed. Do you all turn them pretty fast or sit on them and gradually do repairs? Thanks! Stacey sddrvt@yahoo.com
I do lists and am supposed to be getting one room done at at time, but I have major ADD and end up doing several projects at once. Right now, it's the landscaping that needs my attention before I can back to the inside projects.
Stacey,
I live in my foreclosed home. I don't buy and flip. Although, in a way…I guess I do. Mine is a gradual list of loving my home back to health. I love making something new again. Good luck with your properties. You could always call a group of gals over to pitch in!
This is a great post, as I'm putting my house on the market today! Yikes! Too bad I didn't read this a month ago…
I just did this! I bought a small notebook, around a 5×7, and wrote down each room at the top of the page, then just wrote anything down that needed to be done in each room. I will probably rewrite it with the little boxes, i like the thought of checking each item off.
have a great day!