Category Archives: home improvement

Waiting for Warmer Weather

  By Melly | January 10, 2013 - 2:55 am |
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I can’t wait until spring gets into full swing here in Nashville. I am so anxious to get to work on my new yard! There isn’t a whole lot of raking leaves type of work and the front yard has a beautiful lawn. I am ready to plant flowers and possibly a vegetable garden. I love to work outside in the dirt, it is very relaxing and I love the warm, fresh air as well. I have also started to consider putting a nice deck or patio area in the backyard as well. I want to create a great outdoor entertaining area for barbecues with friends. Or even just creating a great area to relax outdoors with the dogs while I read a book or work online.

I have never really been a fan of winter. I have always gotten cold so fast and easily and then it always seems to take forever for me to warm back up. Spring has always been my favorite season, it’s not too hot or too cold. I love all of the flowers in bloom and the air just seems to smell good. I like to be able to take walks around the neighborhood with the dogs and take in the sights. I hope the ground hog doesn’t see his shadow next month!

My Own Home Sweet Home

  By Melly | January 4, 2013 - 2:17 am |
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Well, it is official, I have a new home. I am buying it through a lease purchase agreement, so it will truly be my own home. It was a great way to start the New Year, knowing that I am now a homeowner.

I went ahead and packed up my belongings and rented a U-haul truck for a couple days. I had everything packed up and into the truck two days before my lease was up at the apartment. Then I spent the last couple days cleaning everything up and leaving it in better condition than I left it in. I absolutely wanted my deposit back. Once I had everything out, the apartment cleaned and the keys returned, I rented a hotel room and stayed overnight before I was due to move into my house the next day.

There are a few changes I am going to make to the home. I am going to eventually entirely redo the kitchen and bathroom. A new coat of paint needs to go on the walls in every room, and new flooring. I will do the flooring last, because the carpet will last a year or two, and the linoleum in the kitchen and bathroom is ugly but not torn up.

I still have a lot to unpack, but the essentials are out and I am home!

Getting Ready to Move

  By Melly | December 17, 2012 - 10:09 pm |
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I am really looking forward to moving! I have been preparing for most of this month getting ready. I have given notice at the Apartments that I will not be signing another lease for the coming year, and I have been going to liquor stores and grocery stores to pick up boxes. I have even gotten quite a few of them packed up and ready to go.

While I have been at it, I have everything arranged with the utility companies to have my electric, internet and cable services to be transfered. I am encountering some new bills to me with this move, I have never had to set up Natural Gas or water/trash services before, but I have those ready to go as well. Luckily, I didn’t have to pay any deposits to arrange my service.

I am looking forward to having a gas stove for cooking as well. I have heard from many of my friends that it is much better for cooking than using an electric stove. There is so much more space than my apartment and having a yard are more perks.

This is very exciting to me to finally become a home owner!

New House

  By Melly | November 30, 2012 - 5:48 am |
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Well, the cute little house around the corner from me is going to be mine, literally. I wrote down the number a couple days ago, and arranged a tour of the home and meet and greet with the owners. They were a wonderful older couple, who reminded me pleasantly of my grandparents, when they were still with us. I fell in love with the home immediately, it is a great two bedroom home, with a great yard that is fenced in the back and perfect for my dogs. The owners are pet friendly as well, which was a huge plus for me as well.

While I was there viewing the home and meeting with the landlords, we got into a conversation about them wanting to eventually sell the home. I filled out the rental application, and they did not charge me an application fee, which was a huge bargain as well!

I got a call earlier today from them, after reviewing my credit and rental history, they have decided to let me into the home, which will only cost me 25 dollars a month more, which is another great bargain. On top of it all, they offered me a lease purchase agreement as well, so instead of paying the 300 dollar deposit, they are asking for a down payment equivalent to one month’s payment as well as the first month and it is mine! My lease is up at the end of December, and I have made arrangements to move after Christmas.

I enjoyed my apartment over the years, I have enjoyed my neighbors and their children, I will miss the pool, but I have to say it feels good to be on my way to something that will be mine. Something that I can make my own, I can paint whatever color strikes my fancy and if I want new counter tops I can do that!

I have been doing so much work with my company to provide homes for others, now it is my turn, and I am very excited about it!

Veterans Day

  By Melly | November 12, 2012 - 11:51 pm | , ,
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Happy Veterans Day! Well, yesterday was actually Veteran’s Day, but the banks and government buildings are celebrating it today. So the Post Office and the bank was closed, and it put a slight damper on getting some of the errands I needed done today. Thankfully, none of it was crucial.

Our veterans have sacrificed so much, it is hard to not be grateful to them! I have quite a few veterans in my family as well. Growing up with such a patriotic family has made a major impact on my life too.

As many of you know, I make my living flipping houses for veterans. I work with VA lenders and I have also turned some of the homes I acquire into a lease purchase situation for veterans and also for soldiers currently serving our great nation. I keep some rentals, that I have managed to keep the rent low, and I advertise them exclusively with the DAV and other veterans groups.

A lot of these homes have needed extensive repair and others just a bit of TLC, but it has been worth it. I enjoy the feeling that comes with knowing that I am giving back to people who were willing to give their all, so that I can enjoy the freedoms that I have had my entire life.

What I do to give back, is small compared to what so many of our brave men and women have done! So remember, if you see a veteran, or know one personally, be sure to thank them for their service. They were willing to die so you could live free!