The short answer is YES! Especially when you are talking about the (mostly) DIY makeover remodel of the old house in Sonoma we just bought.
The purchase didn’t go at all smoothly because the house had some serious issues. When we first took a look, we had no idea about its history… it was a former blight in the neighborhood, complete with hoarders, arsonists and squatters. The notorious residence featured a revolving cast of residents, visible mounds of detritus, and frequent response by local law and code enforcement. On top of that it was a probate sale. Needless to say most real estate agents wouldn’t want to touch a complicated sale like this. But with the help of our amazing agent Holly Barker Lee, we made our best offer and after over 3 months of back and forth with the county and the receivership, we were homeowners! Lucky us! And now as the real work begins I can’t take credit for all the great stuff we’ve done so far. My partner, Eliza Karlson, is amazingly handy and capable with a keen eye for design and steady hands. Needless to say, our neighbors are much happier since we moved in! And the best part? Our rent in Sausalito was just a little higher than our mortgage is now! Raison d’étre!
Follow our trials and trevails as we attempt to bring this house up to our standards. First order of business? Light a shit-ton of sage. Follow our adventures on Instagram! @thislittlehousesonoma