T-Minus 364 Days: I need a hardware store

I have decided that where ever we move to Florida, I need to be near a hardware store.

This weekend, I tried to remove a deck board. The screws stripped and I couldn't find my easy-out bit. So, I ran to the hardware store and bought one. The easy out could only remove half of the stripped screws, so, in frustration I just cut the MF deck board out. That solved my immediate problem but created a new problem: I now needed another deck board. And some deck paint. So... another trip to the hardware store.

I then installed a new dishwasher this weekend. I got to the point where I needed to connect the dishwasher to the hot water line only to find out the fitting was the wrong size! That was another trip to the hardware store to get a reducer fitting. Now, the shut-off valve for the connector leaks. If I can't fix that? It'll be another trip to the hardware store.

Due to where I live now, each trip to the hardware store is a 40 minute round-trip drive. I have to think about everything I might possibly need before getting in the car. It is crazy and often very frustrating.

Therefore, I have decided: When I move to Florida, I am going to buy a house that is near a hardware store. Or, I am going to hire all the work out. But most likely, I will just need to be near a hardware store.

T-Minus 368 Days: A New Dishwasher?

I have been very clear: I am not buying a new couch, bed cushion, or anything until we get to Florida. The couch can be half broken and on the floor - I don't care! I'm not buying something new only to have to pay to have it moved a thousand miles. ...and have it probably break during the move.

My wife is of a different opinion and would like to regularly replace out items. She doesn't see a problem with moving everything 1200 miles to Florida at whatever the cost. Luckily, I have been fairly passionate about this and able to keep her from buying things.

Our dishwasher sprung a leak this week.

Try to repair it? Or replace it? Of course, my wife says "Replace it!" It is a seventeen year old dishwasher and she has waited a long time for a new one.

I thought about it. It is going to take days shopping and looking for a dishwasher, and then days before it can be delivered. If the dishwasher isn't in stock, we might be waiting weeks. Not to mention: a leaky dishwasher is nothing to play with because it can do severe damage to a kitchen. With everything considered I agreed on a new dishwasher. We would go out and immediately get one ordered. However, I warned, if I get the old dishwasher pulled out and I can fix it? We'll cancel the order.

She found the dishwasher she wanted and it was only $70 more than we budgeted.

Removing a dishwasher isn't a five minute job. Someone very skilled at it can remove a dishwasher in 30 minutes. Someone like me? 3 hours. There is a little tiny area to work in, everything is crammed and stuck, and (of course) the dishwasher is hung up on the curled linoleum.

I get the dishwasher out and find the leak: there is a finger sized hole in the rubber sump pump.That's a $30 part, it'll be here in a week, half a dozen screws - and the dishwasher is fixed. Save $400. Right? Wrong.

A happy wife is a happy life. I have learned all too painfully what happens when I disagree with my wife about household appliances. How else do you think we paid a premium price for a red clothes washer? She didn't want a red clothes washer, but she got it because she wanted to pay the premium price to get even with me disagreeing with her about the clothes washer. And the refrigerator... lets not go there. Sometimes I'm a little slow to learn lessons. But I have learned. I know better than to disagree with my wife on household appliances once she has made up her mind.

We have a new dishwasher.

T-Minute 376 Days: Five home building tips from Nadia

Start at 2:15 into the video.

T-Minus 378 Days: Purging and Selling Update

We crossed the $1000 threshold! We have sold 60 items for a total of $1,125. In addition, we have sold 8 items from my mother's antique co-op for an additional $146.

Summer is here and the good weather means many outdoor projects. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to spend much time selling and our sales have slid off. But I hope to get back in business soon.

I have scheduled our summer rummage sale for July. In the past, rummage sales have been a lot of work with few sales (under $20 per day). Hopefully we'll be able to get rid of a lot of stuff this time.

All the money we are making goes toward our $12,000 Florida move budget.

T-Minus 380 days: Summer Kitchen

We were looking at some home plans and my wife came across the following plan from a home built in Kissimmee.

This is an incredible house - far more than what we need nor could afford ($500K) It is designed to be a rental where a large family could come together, and each have their own parts of the house while gathering together in some common areas.

Something I love about this house is the summer kitchen. It is huge - much larger than I would want. The design has a bar, two tables, and a lounge area. Something half the size would be plenty. What I find interesting is this is not a typical launi. It is an extension off the back of the house!

I also like how it provides extra privacy for the pool. It appears they simply changed the configuration of the house's garage by pushing it back further and opening the side of the garage instead of the front of the garage. I suspect that is what happened because there is no garage for this house, and the summer kitchen sits at the end of the driveway.

Thinking about doing something similar enters the realm of a custom build - which won't be practical for our long distance move. But I wonder if it would be impossible to find a house plan with a side garage and simply have them double the depth of the garage? It is certainly something I am going to keep in mind when we talk to builders this summer.

T-Minus 386 Days: Eight Questions Answered By A Real Estate Agent

We had a chance to talk with a second real estate agent. We have decided to use one real estate agent to help us with the areas around Orlando (Apopka, Winter Garden, Clermont, etc) and another to help us with the properties along Rt. 27 (Davenport, Haines City, Winter Haven. This discussion was with the second agent.

1. Should we consider a long distance new build?
Custom builds are a lot of work, and you really want to be in the area to make sure everything goes OK. A custom build is where you get your own property, your own builder, and use your own plans. On the other hand, a standard build into a subdivision is very possible.

2. How long does it take for a new build?
Right now, because of COVID, everything is backed up. I would plan 6-8 months. That means if you want to move in june/July? You should be making your new build decision in November of this year.

3. Who are the builders in the area?
Lennar is a builder in southern Florida, but they do reach into this area at places like Haines City. Lennar doesn't have a lot of housing plans to choose from. You'll find others have more choices. Lennar's financial year ends in November, which is the best opportunity to get a good deal.

4. How does a new build work if we have a house to sell?
The builder will want $1000 to hold the lot. Then 20% during construction. At a defined point during the construction, they will ask for half. The money goes into an eskrow and is used at closing to purchase the house.

5. What is an Inventory Home?
When a developer is building out a neighborhood, they'll build some extra houses even if they aren't sold yet. Those are for people who can't wait to have their home built and need something right away. We can get the best deals and the most leeway with inventory homes versus new construction.

6. What is a Resale Home?
A resale home is something previously owned and, for whatever reason, the owners need to sell it. Some of these homes are only a few years old. One of the benefits of a resale home is that you'll usually get a pool without having to pay $50-60K to have the pool built. Resale homes go quickly, so, they won't wait on a contract contingent on you selling your old home. It is possible, but difficult.

7. How fast do houses resell in Florida?
Right now they are selling in 14 to 30 days. The house gets posted and it doesn't sit on the market very long. When you see something you like, you need to move fast.

8. What are your thoughts on gated communities?
Gated communities are nice  but they still have crime. They give you a nice sense of security, but, you just have to realize that if someone want to commit a crime in the neighborhood, they will.

T-Minus 393 Days: My Florida Window

If you follow this blog, you have already heard about my Florida Window. My office has two windows that look out at the cloudy and dreary New York, and a third window (a 32" monitor) that plays either live webcams from Florida, or, video that I have recorded from past years looking out my office window or pool side when I was renting houses in Florida.

I like to imagine my office is right on the beach overlooking the water. I have people wave to the webcam and I wave back. Sometimes I'll call out to someone and I am shocked when they look up at me. It is this incredible fantasy that I have created that my office isn't in New York, it is actually in Florida. It isn't snowing outside, I am sitting beside the pool. It isn't gray and cloudy, it is palm trees and sunny.

It amazes me that in about a year, I won't have to look out a digital Florida window - I will have a real Florida window. I won't be seeing palm trees on a monitor, I will be seeing actual palm trees. I won't be looking out at the beach, I will be on the beach. If I want to see the beach, I don't have to look at a webcam - I just drive over to it.

That's mind blowing. For nearly a decade I have looked out the Florida window and convinced myself to be satisfied. But to actually stand in the places I am looking at? To feel the warmth that I am imagining? To hear the actual ocean instead of a recording of it? To feel the ocean breeze instead of the fan? The possibilities are exiting, energizing, and amazing.

For now, I am content with my Florida window. But I look forward to the day when I will have a window in Florida.