SELL, REHAB, RENT OR LIVE IN THE NEW HOUSE?

We purchased our 8th house in Cape Coral FL the first of June. We were not looking to buy another rental, we did not have the funds to purchase another property, we had no plans to add another house into the rotation. We were sitting on the Mermaid pool deck recovering from a nasty bout of the flu, when a former guest called us. We always take those calls as you can imagine. Our son and his family had left, we had postponed our trip home long enough to be well enough to travel. He explained his father had passed and they had his home up for sale. They just wanted out and were ready to move on with their lives. Would we be interested? Stu said no, as we had a financial plan and this was not in our plan. My ears perked up and I said, well just for fun we could go look at it, it is just around the corner! Stu protested but he always wants to make me happy. We did a quick 10 minute walk through, no inspections as we always gut our houses anyway. Worked out an incredible deal, took the money we had set aside for our ridiculous property tax bill, and purchased this yet unnamed house. What sealed the deal? The view of the lake, it is stunning, the whole back of the house is glass and the price was to great to pass on.

We have been so busy with a fun family filled summer and the three properties in Ohio, and guests arriving and departing in Florida in a constant wave, we have put this property on the way back burner. Stu and I have had two short trips, both with family to Florida. We snuck in a few hours here and there to move beds, tables and scavenged furniture, dishes, pots and pans from garages and storage into the new house. Living spaces have been set up, the kitchen is ready to go, scrubbed cabinets with dishes in place. If you remember, last Fall we added Sleeper Sofas in Lake House, Infinity and Mermaid. With a new bed room replacing the loft and it's furnishings at Infinity last Fall as well. We were able to grab a huge old sofa sleeper that would not fit up the SchellTopia staircase for the new house, some chairs, coffee tables etc. We leave the new stuff for our guests!

The furnishings are not stylish but functional. The sheets and towels are stained, but clean and the dishes are mismatched but usable. Cape Coral is a great place to pick up furniture on the side of the road. We found two night stands and 3 wobbly but usable loungers for the patio. We are not sure about which direction we are taking this house, saving money at this point is a priority. Will we flip this house, rehab this house into a short term rental, a mid term rental or keep it for ourselves as a project house. By project house I mean a place for us to flop in the winter months, keep our tools, bedding, toiletries and clothing, food and cleaning supplies? A place for me to dream and create, as that will always be a part of me. The moving from house to house every four to seven days during the winter is taking a toll on us. We move with three to four truck loads of living/working items. Including our jet skis and sometimes the jet ski dock. No tears for me, this is a good life and I am blessed. It is however important to live and work in the houses as we go. You never really know what they need unless you stay in them.

We must have Hurricane preparedness at the top of our list. The roof is new, the water lines have been replaced, hot water heater is new, the AC is fairly new but the thermostat was broken. The first few days in there were brutal. The front windows are all Hurricane glass, the side windows all have Hurricane shutters, the back sliders are not Hurricane glass and the Hurricane shutters are either broken, unrepairable or missing. We have now replaced the two broken windows in the master with Hurricane windows, and have secured estimates for new sliders and/or shutters. Having the funds right now to purchase them is irrelevant as it takes months to order and replace them. We are already in Hurricane Season, so plywood will need to happen if necessary this year....ugh.

We uncovered the Hot Tub Time Machine, and have it up and running, no pool for now. We did order a new Hurricane proof reinforced garage door and it will be installed in August. This is not a joke, normal garage doors collapse, we have had this happen. We repaired the irrigation system, the dead weeds in the yard have been treated and with water hopefully the sparse grass can recover. We also cut back all of the over grown vegetation, cut down an overgrown tree and power washed the drive, sea wall and dock.

Stu and I always head to Cape Coral in the fall as the houses always rest during September and October. We make changes as necessary, do deep cleaning, make all repairs and power wash, and power wash the years grime away and paint, oh yes I paint. This year we hope to spend days or weeks at the new house, making decisions and moving forward.

We will consider all offers to purchase this house, or do the Flip. The more time we have with this house the more work we will do to it and the more money we invest on improvements and the price will go up, we move fast.

We plan to live and work on the house throughout the Fall and the Winter months, do as much as we can. We will then decide, sell, long term rent, mid term rent, short term rent or keep it as a place for us..... Please contact us if you know of someone looking for a house on the lake, with an amazing view full of sunshine, at a great price, but needing some love.