It's a Duplex
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
October 19, 2015 8:15pm CST
I have perhaps not explained some things about my new home. It is a duplex that we are converting to single family. It is back-to-back or mirror image. The kitchens share a wall as do the living rooms. Bedrooms and utility rooms are on the outside ends.
That is part of what slowed down our move. First the east end was to be empty, but the tenant had left stuff. . . a refrigerator and some furniture, etc. Then we had to give the second tenant a full month;s notice from the first of the following month. He had the shed/garage full. So there was no place to put our stuff. The move was fifty miles distant as well.
We finally got possession and moved our stuff but it is all jumbled and I am not yet doing a lot of unpacking.
Chores ahead of us are to have an electrician combine the electric boxes then a plumber to unite the water lines and probably the gas lines as well. I have not talked to that company about it yet.
Then the wall between the kitchens needs to be altered. Eventually we will also have french doors connecting the living room and office room but I want to think on that for a while. One utility room will be my pantry. The other one has a washer and dryer.
It will be some expense but we got the house and property for a very reasonable amount.
16 people like this
17 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Oct 15
It should be wonderful when it's all finished!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
The space is actually great right now. I kept having roof problems in my other house. My insurance inspected this roof and said it was one of the best, got top rating. Foundation is good. It just needs mostly cosmetic stuff, so that is the fun stuff.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
@katsmeow1213 Definitely you have to be on the same page to make progress in any direction. Pretty soon the scales will tip one way or the other. He will see how much work there is or you will get a creative notion.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Oct 15
@GardenGerty Yes, but even cosmetic stuff can get pricey. That's basically what we're looking at with our place.. but we just don't have the time or energy to put into it. Though hubby keeps going back and forth between fixing this up or finding something else. He thinks it would be cheaper to fix this up. I see too many things this place needs and would rather buy something else.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
The house will have to be my hobby for a while.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117193)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Oct 15
It could be so much fun @GardenGerty just think of the possibilities and you know we'd be glad to jump in with suggestions, right 
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
We spent $15,000 and our insurance company says it is worth about ten times that much. It is completely paid for, the structural changes will cost about $5,000. So we have a four bedroom, two full bath home with a 20x25 shed in the back.
hat sounds really neat.@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
Right now the pictures would just show boxes and crates. I could take a pic in my first kitchen of my refrigerator and freezer. We got those new and had them delivered, cause hubby was on a lifting restriction.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
Yes, just us but family and friends to visit comfortably.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Oct 15
I have known other people who converted duplexes to single family homes. It is challenging, but worth it in the end. I'm glad you got it for a reasonable price.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
Part of the low price is that it is in a town without much business, but it is alright with us. I think the previous owners bought it on speculation of a wind farm coming in, and it did not happen.
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
20 Oct 15
Congratulations! Although I do feel bad for the tenant who had to move, you did give them proper notice. Can't beat real estate at a good price, though. Take your time figuring things out. Some of the change decisions will come naturally as you realize what you're using each room for most.
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
22 Oct 15
I know it is great to have the extra laundry room to turn into a pantry! All of your hard work will pay off.
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
23 Oct 15
That house looks so cozy ! i hope by now everything is in order . Maybe next time you can post a picture of the inside .
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
20 Oct 15
You remind me of our first house in Canada . . it was also a duplex.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
My previous home was a Victorian house, up and down apartments that we converted. It required more and never was quite as sound as this one is.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
It may take quite a while for it to all be done. We have to arrange for money to be available to pay each contractor. We have no mortgage, but may take out a loan to get it all done at once. The goal is to have everything complete by Dec. 10 as my daughter and her family are coming for a visit. It is livable now but will be much more convenient and economical when this is done. Right now we pay a customer charge for each meter, more or less, and it is a pain to not be able to move between the sides except by going out. In addition we are having the hot water heaters replaced. We own new water heaters and a family friend is helping us install them. It is nice for hubby to have a large shed for all the car stuff and tools etc.
@rahulvsmokiee (3110)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
20 Oct 15
I am glad that you got the house of rreasonable price. If i was there, i would have send it after some years and take that as a business.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Oct 15
I have been a landlord in the past, but it is very frustrating.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Oct 15
you going to combine the two kitchens for a huge one in the middle?
