Lori's Remodels
Page 1
Sun City Home (on Quiet Springs), Palm Desert, CA
2009 Sun City Home
Refurbishing Project
FROM "FIXERS" TO "FABULOUS"
The following pages are from my personal album of homes I've inexpensively refurbished for my landlords with no charge for my labor -- and one that I owned and totally updated by doing much of the "ground up" remodeling myself -- while living in them.
Problems and Solutions for a home at Del Webb's Sun City-Palm Desert, CA on this page are below the "Before and After" photos.
Before
After
BEFORE, the dining area had only a (blah) wood table and chairs while other rooms were cluttered with plants etc. Wood shoe racks that crowded closets became a wine rack and plant stands, and also serve to extend the compact computer area (not shown in lower left corner of photo at right) without cramping walk area. Greenery inside blends with greenbelt view outside.
BEFORE, the lounger chair blocked path from entry to living room and a bulky table lamp on a tiny table in front of the windows blocked he greenbelt view.
BEFORE, the rear patio and front entry were lined with many plant pots containing only dirt and other clutter (not pretty), so were removed to the garage for future "green thumbs" or garage sale.
THE PROBLEMS:
In 2008 I leased a furnished 2-bedroom/2-bath home with 2-car garage at Del Webb's "Sun City-Palm Desert" (CA). The age 70-something owner and her agent had been trying, unsuccessfully, to sell the home. The problem was not only the depressed real estate market and general economy, but also that the home was a "fixer." Empty, mis-matched plant pots and untidy landscaping robbed exterior "curb appeal." The home's interior needed cleaning throughout. General clutter throughout, along with chips, dents & marks on walls, vertical blinds cut at non-uniform lengths, made the home look neglected. Framed wall posters warning about killing cows weren't helping potential buyers envision the country club lifestyle freedoms that Sun City promises seniors. Clutter control, patching and at least touch-up painting was needed. A white refrigerator door handle was discolored brown, the kitchen sink faucet was missing a spray button cover, cabinets were overflowing with "stuff," the white washer & dryer had nicks that exposed black beneath & the dials had yellowed... a broken electrical switch plate here, and a smoke detector wire hanging there, along with an overflowing toilet and a shower that ran cold, would not have passed inspection.
THE REMEDIES:
I cleared out the clutter, swept, washed, vacuumed the dirt and cobwebs, gutted out the garage via donations pickup by a charitable organization, re-arranged, replaced and added some furnishings and less obtrusive framed prints, replaced faded/stained bed covers and linens, hired a licensed plumber & handyman & supervised their repairs, and added some focal pieces and "finishing touches"...turning a "fixer" into a "turn-key" home with added value to attract a future buyer....at no charge for my labor. Needless to say, the owner was delighted.
