DIY & Home Improvement

I have an older house too, a Vic bought at auction about an hour before it would've been too far gone for any amount of $ to rescue. So I have at least some idea of what you're going through. I haven't been able to afford to rent either since way back to the stone age almost. While I didn't underestimate what repairs would cost, I did start out with a slightly fanciful time frame. If you possibly can stay put, do so. A less than perfect house of your own beats a rented palace any day of the week, especially an apartment. I don't want to sound cranky, but I detest living where I have to listen to other people's noise. Visits are fun, crowded shopping malls pure heaven - but when I go home, I don't want to look at or listen to anyone else but my 2 sweet dogs.

One thing for sure. Well tended older houses are usually better built than all but the higher end new ones. The way I look at it (and the inspector did too), my old house that after 8 years STILL needs all kinds of cosmetic renovation will be the last one left standing in town. I took care of the practical needs first, then started on exterior cosmetics and last of all am tackling the interior one room at a time. At my age I might hardly live to see it all finished, but that's okay. It's willed to the Make A Wish Foundation anyway.