jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Bad luck about the first house - but often in retrospect things turn out for the best! Its very energy sapping though, this house buying business. Know how you both must feel. Hope the nerxt viewing, then inspection works out.
A garage is a good thing. Had mine built a few years back. Made use of the space up in the roof and have two workspaces up there. Because of planning the garage is away from the house so we do have to brave the elements, usually wind and rain, to get out there and back. Just got used to it over the years.
A garage is a good thing. Had mine built a few years back. Made use of the space up in the roof and have two workspaces up there. Because of planning the garage is away from the house so we do have to brave the elements, usually wind and rain, to get out there and back. Just got used to it over the years.
pesphoto
Veteran
Thanks, yes youre right. We were pretty discouraged over the whole thing. Were thinking of taking a little break, but this came up suddenly.
Second wind for sure. Good luck with your garage!
Second wind for sure. Good luck with your garage!
peter_n
Veteran
The current weather is presumably influential with respect to a garage... 
bob cole
Well-known
New house opinions needed
Except for a few years with old, unattached garages in the back of the house that were just big enough for a car and nothing more, we lived for 30 years with no garage.
Remember, too, that when you have an unattached garage in the North, that means that in the
Winter you may have to shovel snow to get your car to the road...My unattached garage was 50 feet from the street, meaning I had to shovel 50 feet of snow if I wanted to use the car in time to get to work ... or wait 'til someone came by to shovel the snow, which usually was too late...
We eventually found a beautiful Arts & Crafts house -- with a garage 200 feet from the house that we never used-- but built a driveway on the grass to get the car off the street....But because I use diesel and lived at the time in the North, I had to install a heating block and an electric outlet outside the house to keep the engine block heated....Newer diesels no longer need that...
Now in the
South, after a lifetime without a garage, we have a great two-car attached garage with remote-controlled doors, with plenty of room for everything!
My advice, however, to keep peace in the family, would be to let your better half select the house-- hopefully with a decent, attached garage not too far from the main road... If you live far from the main road, all bets are off: You might need four-wheel drive...
But the house itself should take precedence...
Of course, that's just my opinion...
Except for a few years with old, unattached garages in the back of the house that were just big enough for a car and nothing more, we lived for 30 years with no garage.
Remember, too, that when you have an unattached garage in the North, that means that in the
Winter you may have to shovel snow to get your car to the road...My unattached garage was 50 feet from the street, meaning I had to shovel 50 feet of snow if I wanted to use the car in time to get to work ... or wait 'til someone came by to shovel the snow, which usually was too late...
We eventually found a beautiful Arts & Crafts house -- with a garage 200 feet from the house that we never used-- but built a driveway on the grass to get the car off the street....But because I use diesel and lived at the time in the North, I had to install a heating block and an electric outlet outside the house to keep the engine block heated....Newer diesels no longer need that...
Now in the
South, after a lifetime without a garage, we have a great two-car attached garage with remote-controlled doors, with plenty of room for everything!
My advice, however, to keep peace in the family, would be to let your better half select the house-- hopefully with a decent, attached garage not too far from the main road... If you live far from the main road, all bets are off: You might need four-wheel drive...
But the house itself should take precedence...
Of course, that's just my opinion...
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pesphoto
Veteran
My advice, however, to keep peace in the family, would be to let your better half select the house-- hopefully with a decent garage...But the house itself should take precedence...
Funny you say that...seems that is exactly how it is going. Im a fast learner
Funny you say that...seems that is exactly how it is going. Im a fast learner
bob cole
Well-known
New House Opinions Needed
New House Opinions Needed
Listen, man...as one whose kids have just reminded me that our 52nd wedding anniversary is coming up, if you prevail and she gives in to please you, I guarantee you that you will hear about it over and over -- even after she eventually gets the house she wants, with or without a garage...
[I can't make the turkey in your beautiful garage].
New House Opinions Needed
pesphoto said:My advice, however, to keep peace in the family, would be to let your better half select the house-- hopefully with a decent garage...But the house itself should take precedence...
Funny you say that...seems that is exactly how it is going. Im a fast learner
Listen, man...as one whose kids have just reminded me that our 52nd wedding anniversary is coming up, if you prevail and she gives in to please you, I guarantee you that you will hear about it over and over -- even after she eventually gets the house she wants, with or without a garage...
[I can't make the turkey in your beautiful garage].
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pesphoto
Veteran
[I can't make the turkey in your beautiful garage].
hehe...only problem there is that I do the cooking.
Our bid was faxed in last night for the new house.
Waiting...waiting...waiting.....It's like waiting for the postman
to show up with my new camera.
hehe...only problem there is that I do the cooking.
Our bid was faxed in last night for the new house.
Waiting...waiting...waiting.....It's like waiting for the postman
to show up with my new camera.
bob cole
Well-known
New house opinions needed
I just noticed that you live in Providence...As a boy I lived in Woonsocket...small world...
pesphoto said:
I just noticed that you live in Providence...As a boy I lived in Woonsocket...small world...
pesphoto
Veteran
Funny....I work in Woonsocket
pesphoto
Veteran
What an up and down ride it's been, but this coming Monday my wife and I close on our first house. Oh and it has a one car garage, so we're both happy.
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Congratulations
Congratulations
Hi
Wondered how the house business was going on and hoped we would catch up on the saga some time.
Great news for you.
Don't forget to take a photo of every room before you move in. And I mean every room including the toilets. You will have a great beginning to an album that will be added to as you make changes. We have early photos of Rob the local little builder with pneumatic hammer splitting rocks in the middle of the kitchen floor. He was making a hole in the outer wall of the house and having removed a boulder couldn't get it out through the door because it was too heavy and too big to get through. You look at photos of 'improvemets' like this and say 'did we really live through that?'
So all the best with your new venture.
j
Congratulations
Hi
Wondered how the house business was going on and hoped we would catch up on the saga some time.
Great news for you.
Don't forget to take a photo of every room before you move in. And I mean every room including the toilets. You will have a great beginning to an album that will be added to as you make changes. We have early photos of Rob the local little builder with pneumatic hammer splitting rocks in the middle of the kitchen floor. He was making a hole in the outer wall of the house and having removed a boulder couldn't get it out through the door because it was too heavy and too big to get through. You look at photos of 'improvemets' like this and say 'did we really live through that?'
So all the best with your new venture.
j
John Camp
Well-known
Congratulations on the house. A one car garage will turn out not to be big enough, but if you've got a one-car, it can always be expanded, one way or another. A thing I've talked to my kids about is that my wife and I always thought that each house purchase would be the last one we'd make; we're now on our fourth house in 30 years, and my kids are on their first, and both are thinking about a move... So it's nice to *think* that a move is permanent, but if it turns out not to be -- and that's usually the case -- things like nice basements and decent garages make for a much easier resale and a better price...
IMHO, about the most useful thing you could do now, after you get settled, is to go out and deliberately get some basic home repair skills -- carpentry, electric and plumbing. You can usually get them at the local high school or technical college, in the evening. You can do some amazing things with ~$1,000 worth of tools -- small contractors folding table saw, maybe a small scroll saw, hand drill, and the rest hand tools. I learned enough in a few evening classes to literally finish a basement from bare block walls to dry-walled and carpeted rooms, a lower-level bath (including installing the toilet and shower) and all the electrical work to code standards. It ain't rocket science, and when you get into it, it's fun.
JC
IMHO, about the most useful thing you could do now, after you get settled, is to go out and deliberately get some basic home repair skills -- carpentry, electric and plumbing. You can usually get them at the local high school or technical college, in the evening. You can do some amazing things with ~$1,000 worth of tools -- small contractors folding table saw, maybe a small scroll saw, hand drill, and the rest hand tools. I learned enough in a few evening classes to literally finish a basement from bare block walls to dry-walled and carpeted rooms, a lower-level bath (including installing the toilet and shower) and all the electrical work to code standards. It ain't rocket science, and when you get into it, it's fun.
JC
MartinP
Veteran
I have just bought an apartment, with no garage of course. It's ok though - I live in the Netherlands and my "bicycle cupboard", in the basement of the block, is 4m x 3m so there is plenty of room for my two bikes ! It will get too cold to use as a darkroom though.
Actually, I never replaced the car after it was written off when someone else crashed in to it, so I don't need anywhere to put a car, but I certainly agree on the need for a "space" to improve the comfort-level.
Actually, I never replaced the car after it was written off when someone else crashed in to it, so I don't need anywhere to put a car, but I certainly agree on the need for a "space" to improve the comfort-level.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I spent the summer four years ago building a post & beam garage by myself (had help lifting one of the ridge beams) and have loved every minute of not shoveling off the cars ever since even more than the blast it was to build the thing. Granted I get more snow...
When I lived in Providence I never had one, and didn't miss it, but wouldn't go back now.
When I lived in Providence I never had one, and didn't miss it, but wouldn't go back now.
Bingley
Veteran
Congrats on the new house w/ garage! You will not regret it. When we lived in the Maryland burbs a number of years ago, we owned a house w/ no garage (and w/ a v. damp basement, but that's another story). Never again! Shoveling snow off a driveway is bad enough, but having to dig a car out that's been ploughed in adds insult to injury.
pesphoto
Veteran
Thanks everyone! We cant wait to get in there and make it ours. I have some "fix-it" abilities, but classes are a good idea for sure. Going to look into that. Wish we could have everyone here over for a bbq when we move in!
cbass
Nutmegger
Congratulations. If you're not already, you will soon become proficient at a variety of home repair tasks! You will also see the benefits of home ownership when you prepare your tax return next year.
You will like having a garage. We own two small cars but our current home has no garage. Next month we're moving to a new house in Connecticut that has a one-car attached garage. Ironically, once we move neither me or my wife will need to drive often. The house is only 4.5 miles from my new job so I will probably ride my bicycle to work. And my wife is a new stay-at-home mom and will no longer have a commute.
You will also see the benefits of home ownership when you prepare your tax return next year.You will like having a garage. We own two small cars but our current home has no garage. Next month we're moving to a new house in Connecticut that has a one-car attached garage. Ironically, once we move neither me or my wife will need to drive often. The house is only 4.5 miles from my new job so I will probably ride my bicycle to work. And my wife is a new stay-at-home mom and will no longer have a commute.
peter_n
Veteran
Great news. Obviously you bought our arguements for a garage! We've had two fairly mild winters in these parts now so you may reap your first benefit next winter. Is the garage connected to the house in any way or is it separate?
pesphoto
Veteran
The garage is not attatched, but a short walk to the side door.
Congrats to both of you. Just in for a moment or two, a break from spring cleaning in the yard.
Home ownership is wonderful, really!!!
Home ownership is wonderful, really!!!