Making Her Home Her Own

Nancy purchased her first home while she was a math teacher in Columbia Heights. She was excited about the house, and knew it had great potential. It was in an area she liked, it was affordable, and it had many nice features. But it needed alot of work, including a new furnace.     

Q: So where did you begin work on your house? 

A: I refinished the hardwood floors and painted immediately.  Later, I replaced my gravity furnace with a forced air furnace and replaced my ugly chain link fence with a privacy fence.  Other simple but profound changes were updating the bathroom by replacing the cabinet/sink with a pedestal sink and hallway bathroom cabinet.

Q: How did you finance the improvements?

A: I did the painting and refinished the floors myself (with the help of friends) so the cost wasn’t that much. I paid for the furnace and new fence by refinancing my house. I got a lower interest rate so my monthly payment actually went down.  I extended my loan by a couple of years, but the improvements to my house are worth it.

Q: What contractors did you use?

A: I used Residential Heating. They were much cheaper, were very, very nice, and did a good job.  The city inspector commented on the nice installation.

Q: What advice do you have for first time home buyers? 

A: Don’t get in over your head with too much work.  Do cosmetic work ASAP to make the house “yours” and see an immediate change.  Refinish your floors before you move in!

Q: What advice do you have for home owners contemplating an improvement? 

A: Use your resources.  Get advice from your realtor, friends and family.  Get a few bids from contractors.  See how friendly they are about explaining the process.  Be very clear about the costs!