Reflections, Rodomontade and Resolutions
As I sit here munching on a homemade chocolote cookie, I am reflecting on my achievements of today. For some of you, it may not seem that interesting or impressive, but let me continue anyway, because I feel cool
As some of you know, we own a rental property just off Fort Hood. It was a great idea until 9/11. Now soldiers are deploying frequently and breaking the leases. The lost rent has been eating into our savings steadily over the last few years and last month we decided to sell. (Just a note, taxes, fees etc etc eat up about 12% of the total cost of the house..ouch!)
Anyway, now that you ahve the backstory, I was given a list by the buyer's agent of things that they wanted fixed prior to the closing next month. Matt's not the kind of guy who is into handyman stuff (and he thought it was a bad idea from day one) so it was up to me to take care of it. There were several electrical problems, minor plumbing issues and a few big ticket items. (more on the stupid inept property management later) It was several hundred dollars worth of repairs, so I set out to fix as much as i could.
I replaced the deadbolts (not up to safety code) this morning with 2 hyper and cranky kids. I decided that the rest could wait till HW got home from work and babysit! I then managed to reseat two crooked toilets (no clue as to how they got crooked), rewire the doorbell transformer (albeit a very creative method), replace two GFCI outlets that were wired incorrectly to start with, fix the exhaust fan in the kitchen (hooked up through faulty GFI) and move the A/C unit.
I'm particularly proud of the electrical job. I have learned a great deal about basic plumbing and odd repair jobs, but Ive never tackled electic stuff before. I went to Walmart and bought a replacement outlet. I carefully moved one wire at a time (yes, I turned off the circuit first) to make sure I didn't screw it up. I was so frustrated when it didn't work when I turned the power on. Not only the it not trip when tested, there was no power at all! I was devestated, I should be able to do this.
After stewing on it for a while, I realized that either a) the new outlet was faulty or b)the wiring was wrong. And TA DA! I was right! A quick fix and i had them both changed out in a heartbeat. I was pretty proud of myself.
Now you may think, how stupid does an electrician have to be to screw it up in the first place? Well, let me tell you....the standard screws that came with the kit wouldn't work to install it because they had used deck screws in it the first time! and the kitchen light only comes on if you turn the dining room light on first. Pretty pathetic. I may skip repairing that because the inspector didn't notice.
My big irritation about the whole thing is this TEXSTAR PROPERTIES (remember that name folks and avoid them!) has an inspector who missed gouges in the counter, a exahust fan that was out, a dead doorbell and several other damages. They told me that they closed the previous tenants account and that they could NEVER miss something like that. "It must ahve happened after they moved out." (yeah, I bet someone walked in and gouged the kitchen up and then cleaned up the mess) I'm ticked. They owe me for the repairs that were not found and charged to the previous tenants....they didnt' do thier job and now they want me to pay for thier mistakes? Oh heck no. I didn't pay them all that money to get walked on now.
_rant over_
So one of my goals for the new year is to quit being intimidated about home repairs. I can do it, I dont' need to hire someone, I don't need to wait for a man to help me. I can do it. I WILL not put off fixing the hole in the wall and the cracked bricks. I will paint the trim outside and I will retile the bathroom and replace the tub with gouges in it. .....well, maybe I could wait another year for the tile....