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Started By
Message
how prepared were you to take care of the first house you bought?
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:42 am
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:42 am
me: 0/10 
i mowed my yard growing up and raked leaves and swept the patio, etc etc but after having gone to college and lived in apartments for 8 years when i bought my first house i was pretty lost.
i remember by the time we closed the grass was high and i was still young and poor and didn't even know how to look around to find someone to mow.
also was terrified of making a mistake buying the 'wrong' mower. i didnt have a string trimmer or edger or blower or even an outdoor extension cord.
i didnt own a rake or a screwdriver.
i looked up electrians in the yellow pages to replace a lightswitch and plumbers to fix a clog in the sink.
i had sears 'install' my first washer & dryer because i didnt know how
in short, i had to learn how to 'house'.
30 years and multiple houses later, i will tackle most any job or at the very least, read up on how to do it before deciding whether to call in someone.
feels good when the wife asks me to do something and i think through everything i need for the job and 9x out of 10 i have it all.
i mowed my yard growing up and raked leaves and swept the patio, etc etc but after having gone to college and lived in apartments for 8 years when i bought my first house i was pretty lost.
i remember by the time we closed the grass was high and i was still young and poor and didn't even know how to look around to find someone to mow.
also was terrified of making a mistake buying the 'wrong' mower. i didnt have a string trimmer or edger or blower or even an outdoor extension cord.
i didnt own a rake or a screwdriver.
i looked up electrians in the yellow pages to replace a lightswitch and plumbers to fix a clog in the sink.
i had sears 'install' my first washer & dryer because i didnt know how
in short, i had to learn how to 'house'.
30 years and multiple houses later, i will tackle most any job or at the very least, read up on how to do it before deciding whether to call in someone.
feels good when the wife asks me to do something and i think through everything i need for the job and 9x out of 10 i have it all.
33
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:47 am to CAD703X
Sounds like you grew up without a dad.
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home. 9 times out of 10 it won’t be done correctly or even completed. If you can’t fix things and repair them yourself, you shouldn’t own a house.
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home. 9 times out of 10 it won’t be done correctly or even completed. If you can’t fix things and repair them yourself, you shouldn’t own a house.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:49 am to BabyTac
quote:
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home.
Well that's just stupid.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:49 am to BabyTac
strange. By how you talk, I always figured your Maintenance or Grounds crew handled these type of things for you.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:49 am to CAD703X
quote:
in short, i had to learn how to 'house'.
not me. I was lucky my father spent a lot of time with me as a kid trying to show me how to do things as a homeowner and a man. Lots of chores, lots of "hold the light right here, goddammit!" time spent with him. But I learned a lot and had the knowledge of what I'd need to do jobs around the house.
What he couldn't give me was talent or ability. I"m more of a demolition expert as opposed to Mr. Fixit. But I can get by with most things. Just depends on if you want it fixed or fixed like a professional did it.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:50 am to wesfau
The dude is a troll. Never ever take him seriously.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:50 am to CAD703X
I was lucky to be married with both of us having very good jobs.
We couldn't have done this otherwise. First 18 months, something broke every month. I "had" to blow more insulation in immediately and remediate (probably not right word) the attic of mice feces first 30 days.
It has leveled out but theres still problems
We couldn't have done this otherwise. First 18 months, something broke every month. I "had" to blow more insulation in immediately and remediate (probably not right word) the attic of mice feces first 30 days.
It has leveled out but theres still problems
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:50 am to BabyTac
quote:
Sounds like you grew up without a dad.
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home. 9 times out of 10 it won’t be done correctly or even completed. If you can’t fix things and repair them yourself, you shouldn’t own a house.
My dad isn't handy, but he is (was) a great dad. Just a city slicker type that did well in his career and outsourced everything.
I do almost everything myself and am self-taught from youtube, etc.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:51 am to BabyTac
quote:
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home. 9 times out of 10 it won’t be done correctly or even completed. If you can’t fix things and repair them yourself, you shouldn’t own a house.
you always try way too hard.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:52 am to CAD703X
10/10. I had already built 3-4 houses and had been helping my contractor BIL since I was 14.
Between that, and being poor as shite I had no choice.
Between that, and being poor as shite I had no choice.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:52 am to CAD703X
quote:
i remember by the time we closed the grass was high and i was still young and poor and didn't even know how to look around to find someone to mow.
Shouldn't that have been your husband's job to figure out?
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:53 am to CAD703X
quote:
i didnt own a rake or a screwdriver.
i looked up electrians in the yellow pages to replace a lightswitch and plumbers to fix a clog in the sink.
i had sears 'install' my first washer & dryer because i didnt know how
I'll bet you could make your own lattes, and pick out a new earring by yourself.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:54 am to CAD703X
Very prepared. Growing up my dad was always renovating our home or one of the rentals he owned. I always hated it at the time but he would make me go along and help. I can frame walls, hang drywall with no help, run or repair anything electrical related, replace shingles and vents on a roof, anything plumbing related that doesn't involve soldering (thanks PEX), minor drywall repairs, install cabinets, etc.
I would say the only thing I had an issue with was A/C work and keeping the pool water clear.
I would say the only thing I had an issue with was A/C work and keeping the pool water clear.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:55 am to BabyTac
quote:
Sounds like you grew up without a dad.
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home. 9 times out of 10 it won’t be done correctly or even completed. If you can’t fix things and repair them yourself, you shouldn’t own a house.
quote:
BabyTac
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:57 am to BabyTac
quote:
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home. 9 times out of 10 it won’t be done correctly or even completed. If you can’t fix things and repair them yourself, you shouldn’t own a house
I lived by that code until I was making enough money to hire it done.
Like working on a car. I grew up in the hot rod era. We were lucky to have money for parts, much less have someone fix it. Now? I don't even change my own oil, much less swap out a transmission or rear end. .
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:59 am to CAD703X
I grew up doing lawn stuff, carpentry, masonry, drywall, roofing, and every other kind of manual labor so home ownership was easy.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 10:01 am to CAD703X
I'd give myself a 5/10. My dad is a hardcore DIY guy and my brother and I were always expected to help out when we were growing up. I hated it then but I'm glad he did that now. I still suck arse at finish carpentry but I recently did my own countertops, flooring, and moulding and it didn't come out terrible.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 10:03 am to BabyTac
quote:
I was taught and live by the code of never calling a stranger to come in and fix anything on your home.
So you have a pos DIY home. Congrats. Everyone that has ever complemented you on your house is in the back of their mind thinking good lord this tile looks like shite.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 10:03 am to CAD703X
Same.
Definitely learned the important things by experiencing it.
Like expensive and quality hoses are extremely worth it. They don’t kink.
You absolutely need the stupidly long extension cords.
The 10-12 foot ladders might only get used a couple times a year but they are amazing to have when you need it.
Definitely learned the important things by experiencing it.
Like expensive and quality hoses are extremely worth it. They don’t kink.
You absolutely need the stupidly long extension cords.
The 10-12 foot ladders might only get used a couple times a year but they are amazing to have when you need it.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 10:06 am to CAD703X
Learned a tremendous amount of life skills in that first house. Bought from my FIL was a rental and was in pretty bad shape. He, my dad, my wife, and I remodeled floor to ceiling. Moved in on my wedding day. 3 more flips and a set of apartments later and I have nearly every tool I would need to build a house. I enjoy it though even though I'm getting too old to do some of those type jobs and can afford to hire someone instead.
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