For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

[kehlis]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Last summer at the advice of a friend I have named Ty he advised me that a pond would be better for me than a pool so I dug up and installed a small pond.

Today is the day I have to clean it from the winter which I've never done, as of the dead of winter some of the Koi actually made it through so this will be quite the challenge.

[DJ]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Last summer at the advice of a friend I have named Ty he advised me that a pond would be better for me than a pool so I dug up and installed a small pond.

Today is the day I have to clean it from the winter which I've never done, as of the dead of winter some of the Koi actually made it through so this will be quite the challenge.

Interesting. What's the size of the pond? Hope the cleaning went well.

[Redacted01]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Well I'm about to start a few big projects soon. The grass near the front of the house under the living room never really took root, and it's not the most fun hill to mow, so I'm going to put up a retaining wall/flower bed type deal. It's curved and steps up so we'll see how that goes.

Next one is epoxying the garage floor. I bought the kits and am still 50/50 on it. My garage floor is only a year old so it shouldn't take much to clean it, but there are a few cracks to fill and it's got some salt residue from two winters that need to be cleaned up. Even after I clear coat it, still cheaper than I thought it would be (maybe ~$400-$450 for a 3 car garage for all materials).

This may get pushed off because of the work involved. Underneath the deck, all they did was put down some fabric and put some rock on it. They didn't really level it so you can already see a few places where the rocks sunk in. The deck is high enough that it's good storage area underneath so I think I may take all the rocks out, level it, and put down pavers. I can then put up some lattice work or something and create a "shed" of sorts. Get something to cover things and then I keep my hoses and some of the other things that don't have a problem staying outdoors down there. Much easier to walk on, looks nicer, and maybe get a couple things out of the garage.

I'm also mixed on a fence. I don't think it'll cost too much to get a wood fence put in given I've only got a quarter of an acre. I hate that my neighbor next door has one of those tacky chain-link fences. Even in black they don't look good, but with a corner lot, it makes sense for cost. Luckily where mine would start, it would probably meet his so no overlap. I have a vacant lot behind me and that will block some of the blowing of the seeds from the weed infestation back there, but the neighbors all behind me are all up on hills, so it doesn't really give much privacy. Not sure it's worth it, but couldn't hurt to at least find out cost.

And finally an easy one! Reupholstering dining table cushions. Got what was at one point a nice table for $100 through a friend who had neighbors moving. The material is just worn so should be an easy replacement. Refinishing the table is another story...

[bvb24]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

I'm currently building a deck. Anyone have any experience with cable railings?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

I hope to be doing that in a month or two. Parents offered to help and "finance" which was unexpected. What kind of decking material did you use?

We've been putting landscaping gravel down in all of our flower beds to help combat neighboring cats from using them as a bathroom. So far its working well as I have not found any decapitated mice or feces in the gravel, but have found more than the usual amount in the beds we haven't done yet.

Ashleigh went to Florida a couple weeks ago and while she was gone I put in a flower bed that follows the walk in front of our house. I wanted some green for winter so I bought two miniature Albert spruces to frame the porch. Parents bought me some nandinas while I bought three roses for the front of the walk. In between the roses I planted a couple of dianthus flowers. Everything looks really good and will even better once the rain stops long enough to let the sun shine and get those roses blooming.

I also noticed how few people actually take care of their lawns and plants. Sure, you have everybody out when the weather starts turning warm those first couple of weeks, but it seems like I'm the only one on the block to fertilize the yard or be active in the yard on a regular basis.

[bvb24]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

I hope to be doing that in a month or two. Parents offered to help and "finance" which was unexpected. What kind of decking material did you use?

We've been putting landscaping gravel down in all of our flower beds to help combat neighboring cats from using them as a bathroom. So far its working well as I have not found any decapitated mice or feces in the gravel, but have found more than the usual amount in the beds we haven't done yet.

Ashleigh went to Florida a couple weeks ago and while she was gone I put in a flower bed that follows the walk in front of our house. I wanted some green for winter so I bought two miniature Albert spruces to frame the porch. Parents bought me some nandinas while I bought three roses for the front of the walk. In between the roses I planted a couple of dianthus flowers. Everything looks really good and will even better once the rain stops long enough to let the sun shine and get those roses blooming.

I also noticed how few people actually take care of their lawns and plants. Sure, you have everybody out when the weather starts turning warm those first couple of weeks, but it seems like I'm the only one on the block to fertilize the yard or be active in the yard on a regular basis.

I’m using a Trex composite decking. http://shop.trex.com/spiced-rum/ I built the structure last weekend and want to cut my steps tonight but its raining at the moment so I’ll have to see if the weather cooperates. I’m still getting pricing on the cable railing. I priced up Atlantis railing through Amazon but have two requests for pricing sent in to other companies. I’ll try to get some pics posted here showing the progress.

[bvb24]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Well I'm about to start a few big projects soon. The grass near the front of the house under the living room never really took root, and it's not the most fun hill to mow, so I'm going to put up a retaining wall/flower bed type deal. It's curved and steps up so we'll see how that goes.

Next one is epoxying the garage floor. I bought the kits and am still 50/50 on it. My garage floor is only a year old so it shouldn't take much to clean it, but there are a few cracks to fill and it's got some salt residue from two winters that need to be cleaned up. Even after I clear coat it, still cheaper than I thought it would be (maybe ~$400-$450 for a 3 car garage for all materials).

This may get pushed off because of the work involved. Underneath the deck, all they did was put down some fabric and put some rock on it. They didn't really level it so you can already see a few places where the rocks sunk in. The deck is high enough that it's good storage area underneath so I think I may take all the rocks out, level it, and put down pavers. I can then put up some lattice work or something and create a "shed" of sorts. Get something to cover things and then I keep my hoses and some of the other things that don't have a problem staying outdoors down there. Much easier to walk on, looks nicer, and maybe get a couple things out of the garage.

I'm also mixed on a fence. I don't think it'll cost too much to get a wood fence put in given I've only got a quarter of an acre. I hate that my neighbor next door has one of those tacky chain-link fences. Even in black they don't look good, but with a corner lot, it makes sense for cost. Luckily where mine would start, it would probably meet his so no overlap. I have a vacant lot behind me and that will block some of the blowing of the seeds from the weed infestation back there, but the neighbors all behind me are all up on hills, so it doesn't really give much privacy. Not sure it's worth it, but couldn't hurt to at least find out cost.

And finally an easy one! Reupholstering dining table cushions. Got what was at one point a nice table for $100 through a friend who had neighbors moving. The material is just worn so should be an easy replacement. Refinishing the table is another story...

I was going to do stone under my deck but had never thought of using pavers. That’s a pretty good idea. You may already know this but they make ceiling sheets that install under your deck and divert the water off to the side. You can get them online and at the big box stores. I’m planning on putting them under my deck even though I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to store under it.

[DJ]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Just over a month into the new house and things are going well. Did our first DE treatment to the pool, and that was an interesting experience. Our levels have stabilized for the most part (chlorine still a touch on the high side), so that's good. Skimming every day and running the vaccum as needed.

Picked up new patio furniture and it's awesome. The table and chairs that had been left behind were too cumbersome, so we found pieces that fit the space better. We did receive some cool pieces to potentially hang outside by the pool (a towel rack and clock), just have to figure out the best place to put them. Our walls are concrete, which makes it a little challenging, but we'll figure it out.

Wife found some nice area rugs for the living room and bedrooms, and we've purchased a couple of paintings to go along with picutres and photos we brought with us, so the interior decorating is almost complete. Last project for now is to re-paint the fireplace.

[Redacted01]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

I was going to do stone under my deck but had never thought of using pavers. That’s a pretty good idea. You may already know this but they make ceiling sheets that install under your deck and divert the water off to the side. You can get them online and at the big box stores. I’m planning on putting them under my deck even though I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to store under it.

Yea, I think I know what you are talking about on the ceiling sheets. Might have to look into that.

I can get big 16"x^16" pavers with a design on them for just a couple dollars. I just have to worry about cutting around the main support beams but I figure for maybe $300 or so in pavers and sand and a weekend's worth of work, I'd save over $1000 since pouring concrete would probably get up close to $1500.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

My lady says she's been seeing a mouse running along the far wall in our backyard.

I've literally lost sleep over this because if I put down rat poison outside, it's liable to kill a bird or stray cat in the process.

If I put down a trap, it's more than likely going to blow over due to the wind.

Went to the store and grabbed some repellent spray. Talked to her about it and basically decided that the repellent wouldn't be effective because I'd repeatedly have to spray the area. And it would drive away (not kill) birds and this mouse (which BTW I have not seen...she has).

So I put the repellent back on the shelf and grabbed the poison.

I'm debating about putting it down tomorrow. I think it comes with a trap but you put the poison bars inside the trap. In my mind it'll be most effective if I put those bars directly on the ground and/or wall outside.

But my conscious is driving me crazy if I end up killing multiple birds or cats.

FWIW..I'm also not naive to know that if there is one mouse then there probably a family of them somewhere else in the vicinity.

I'm really trying not to kill a bird or cat but I have no way around this...I think.

[Burns11]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

I don't think the trap would blow over that easy

[Phobia]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

My lady says she's been seeing a mouse running along the far wall in our backyard.

I've literally lost sleep over this because if I put down rat poison outside, it's liable to kill a bird or stray cat in the process.

If I put down a trap, it's more than likely going to blow over due to the wind.

Went to the store and grabbed some repellent spray. Talked to her about it and basically decided that the repellent wouldn't be effective because I'd repeatedly have to spray the area. And it would drive away (not kill) birds and this mouse (which BTW I have not seen...she has).

So I put the repellent back on the shelf and grabbed the poison.

I'm debating about putting it down tomorrow. I think it comes with a trap but you put the poison bars inside the trap. In my mind it'll be most effective if I put those bars directly on the ground and/or wall outside.

But my conscious is driving me crazy if I end up killing multiple birds or cats.

FWIW..I'm also not naive to know that if there is one mouse then there probably a family of them somewhere else in the vicinity.

I'm really trying not to kill a bird or cat but I have no way around this...I think.

Get this, best purchase you will make for this AND you will have it for ever just in case another shows up later.

Place trap out just after dark, leave it all night while you sleep, check in morning, pick up if not set off, repeat. This will limit any chance a bird or cat will get into it. Rats/Mice move under the cover of night.

[NDAlum]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Put the house on the market last Wednesday and had about 20 showings in 2.5 days. We received 7 offers that were all at asking or above. We went with a cash offer about 1.5% over asking. It was the quicker closing date and no closing costs.

It was an incredible process and we had no idea it would be that crazy. I'm sitting in the car with my dogs right now hoping the home inspection goes well and the guy doesn't destroy my home.






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[DJ]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Put the house on the market last Wednesday and had about 20 showings in 2.5 days. We received 7 offers that were all at asking or above. We went with a cash offer about 1.5% over asking. It was the quicker closing date and no closing costs.

It was an incredible process and we had no idea it would be that crazy. I'm sitting in the car with my dogs right now hoping the home inspection goes well and the guy doesn't destroy my home.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats. Are you guys buying a new house?

[Redacted01]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

It is ridiculous how easy it is to sell a house right now. There are easily a dozen or more near me that have gone up for sale recently and many sell in a couple of days, worst case a month or two.