H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 11, 2017 16:26:06 GMT -5
OK..now that it is warmer here I opened the door to the 2nd bedroom .which has been storage and full bookshelves for 14 years now. The first year I lived here it was my office, and was fine for working online selling books etc, I kept huge shelves of book inventory, still have a lot of books. this cottage has little insulation so I close off all except the great room for "living in" heat.. I love a cold bedroom to sleep in anyway, and the other rooms do not need heat for the few minutes I am in them. (learned this from the natural builder folk) My heating/elec bill is $200 at highest in winter, and <$70 in summer for mostly electricity) I moved the 'office' into the great room to see the cable TV I signed up for..and never went back. Why? I had a better view to the wilderness, the TV, the heat, a bigger room to enjoy etc. the GBR slowly became filled with boxes of stuff from other areas cleared from the house..so at last the house LOOKED neater...and at one point I could barely walk into that room at all. ( a visiting 10 year old tried to clear it for me and made a small dent..I could see the hoarder writing on the wall in 2006! because in 99 I had done the same thing for a friend who was overwhelmed with a mess of clutter underfoot.) Now there is a stain on the ceiling from a couple bad rainy winters (roof needs replacing for sure)..and mold will/is growing in the sheetrock.. I can see it already, gotta get that fixed.
I made a huge dent in January, just clearing, donating, tossing paperwork, the quilt fabrics donated, biz files purged, etc. the whole thing should be freshly painted, etc. Now to tackle the 6+ boxes of NEW Christmas stiff.. nice green felt tablecloths, with red felt birds..bulbs, etc.. my old office desk and chair, a dresser I rarely look inside (has sheets I never use)
so all that MUST be cleared. if i STICK TO STAGES..I think I can manage. the worst bit is the ORIGINAL subfloor is tongue and groove redwood planks..too rough to use as a floor AND some idiots back in ~1956 glued down heavy tar paper as a draft block..no way to scrape it up or heat remove it without risk of wood burning or clearing the entire room..a nightmare.
( if I sold it's not to code to get a mortgage on--- ANOTHER reason I would have to carry the mortgage myself, then not be able to buy different home because no "buyout" funds to do so..AND no banks give home LOANS to >65 yr olds for homes..you won't live 15-30 years! so you must pay cash for a home, even with retirement funds if you have them they DO NOT count as security..see?
TO SELL and your buyer be approved for bank mortgage you have to slap down cheap vinyl at minimum to meet regulations. BUT the underlayment of wood floor and thick tar paper will show thru..so a waste of money until I do it right OR leave it entirely the rest of my time here..and just place a 10x12 area rug (which i HAVE bought!! on sale, new, rolled up waiting for 5 years..sigh..I can use this rug in LR or MBR too, but intended for this room*) The only option is to clear the ENTIRE room, the 8' bookcases full..the furniture, the bags and boxes of stuff..address the floor with carpet or laminate which I hate, so that is a big stress..and that is JUST one room. Will just keep nibbling away..it's all I can do before I can EVER get help to move the big items... * the LOGIC I am spiraling to of just staying here, making do, keeping PRIVATE on how I live and what level of "home" i accept if completely up to me. If I IMAGINE the worst- losing my choice options--having to be ensconced in an apt in a large town near medical help, or a senior facility, I COULD have a lawyer direct a real estate agent to hire a clear out crew- then home repair contractor if I became incapacitated... and just accept I have had very cheap RENT for 20 years.if I imagine the worst out of control situation..and accept that I can live with that..I am fine. It is not about money for me, but security, and trying to enjoy the balance of the time I have.Until the unforeseen I will be GRATEFUL I CAN do this, a box at a time..no pressure except what I lay on myself. I HAVE IMAGES TOO LARGE TO ATTACH..WILL REDUCE, AND PUT FORTH. takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/thread/29598/keeping-selling-home-age
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Post by danny15 on Mar 11, 2017 16:53:55 GMT -5
I will be GRATEFUL I CAN do this, a box at a time..no pressure except what I lay on myself.
Very best way to look at anything.
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 11, 2017 18:54:09 GMT -5
I did a bunch of other tasks, ended up in the yard moving stones and slate, all work is good..but was unable to even move one thing in the GBR.. Will have to give myself another "Dutch Uncle" talk..which is really old fashioned sensible tough love.
I am responsible... I watch the 600# weight loss shows JUST to see how we delude outsides.....and every single time the person uses every excuse inthe book.
.and the Dr keeps repeating "YOU are responsible"..until they finally shape up.
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Post by Arid on Mar 11, 2017 19:00:13 GMT -5
I don't understand your statement about banks not giving home loans to anyone older than 65 years of age.
My 77 years-old friend got a loan when she bought her condo last year. (It is a 30 years loan.)
Arid
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 11, 2017 19:00:21 GMT -5
PICTURES OF THE MESS..MUCH OF THIS HAS BEEN RESORTED AND DONATED, OR TIDIED UP. but still a pile to be done and overwhelming, but I can all thru and see the floor all over now!!!
If I don't address all the books I still will read.. I will list what is hard to cope with: 1. coolest tall black with hat for halloween, real feathers along the brim 2. zip up large bags gotten by dumpster diving, perfect for recipes and papers, will keep. 3. a 1970s receiver and new speakers which give great song..meant for the work studio. 4, a blue antique chair I recover as a young bride..needs to be professionally redone..this chair has my heart, and will keep. 5. that HUGE body bag of SILK for sewing..I will be buried with this thing! 6. boxes on the floor of office supplies and assorted things to donate 7. ALL the bins of christmas decorations..may just give away bin and all not even OPEN them to see. 8. small wall papered boxes with 40 year old memories and cute things I still love, but dont remember until I see them.. 9. bins to empty with rare booklets I must find a way to donate, throwing these is like burning books 10. a color lazer printer and $800 of INK cubes at $33 each to find a home for..at this point just DONATE it to some small biz or independent 11. SO many boxes of stuff on the book cases that are new and need to be donated to dealt with.. all of this is exhausting because it's NOT trash, so getting it to the thrift store is the plan.
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 11, 2017 20:22:34 GMT -5
Arid this is what I was told, and what older friends experienced. this is in CA ..possibly it applies more to homes or above a certain price? not sure. there is more to it than I can explain.
I do recall that you can't use whatever retirement savings as "collateral" it somehow does not count towards creditworthiness..maybe I should explore further eh???
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Glitter
New Member
When in doubt, add more glitter!
Joined: June 2015
Posts: 12
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Post by Glitter on Mar 11, 2017 21:07:44 GMT -5
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 11, 2017 21:58:32 GMT -5
thanks glitter.... I DID remember it correctly..here are the KEY sentences in that link: Remember, not qualifying and discrimination are two different things. This HECM method is actually a REVERSE Mortgage..which I know about. What this means is the FHA will own the home you HAVE once they loaned you the money, while you go to a new one..and it MAY NOT apply to me unless I make the needed repairs anyway to MEET FHA guidelines.
so while it IS an option I can further look into...I would STILL need to get the house to an FHA standard- flooring in 6 rooms, roofing, deck safety rebuild, finish bathroom-install toilet and sink, complete tilework, kitchen remodel for counters and sink, finish sunroom repair or remodel...repair of ceilings, etc etc etc. ___here are the key parts of the link glitter provided: ______________________ "The sky’s the limit when it comes to mortgages for seniors if they qualify and can prove they have enough regular income. <<<<!!!THIS
Before this change, some seniors were turned down for loans because their debt-to-income didn’t match high standards even though they had great equity in their homes, had some savings and had good credit scores.
Parker’s clients went with the HECM because they didn’t meet the income requirements of a regular mortgage. << INCOME means NOT your Social Security That can happen when people are living on fixed incomes like pensions, retirement accounts or Social Security.
HECM is a popular option for senior citizens. If you are 62 or older, are a current homeowner, are residing in your home and have paid off most or all your mortgage or paid down, you can participate in FHA’s HECM program. This is FHA’s reverse mortgage program, and it allows people to purchase another primary residence if they have extra cash on hand to pay the difference between the HECM proceeds and the sales price plus closing costs.
I would be better off getting a no/low down VA home loan (as a veteran), and holding the mortgage to the house I currently have once I find the right buyer.
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 11, 2017 22:56:26 GMT -5
I'm posting tis for any of you who WILL be seniors, and own a home.. there are STANDARDS we must meet before FHA will loan on the property -roof can't leak, must have 3 years life left electrical, safety, plumbing, septic must all function, draining, crawlspaces, etc are inspected that is before you get to the CONDITION of the floors, walls, etc. ....below is just ONE example
Friends who built an amazing castle could not get OK'd for a loan until the placed plywood on the sink countertops and lacquered it..my friends planned for granite..but not able to buy that yet, it did NOT matter, the house did not pass inspection for any kind of loan or change in mortgage until the "counters" met a level of water resistance.Minimum Property Requirements for FHA Loans, According to HUD www.homebuyinginstitute.com/mortgage/fha-property-requirements-476/Read more: www.homebuyinginstitute.com/mortgage/fha-property-requirements-476/#ixzz4b52TmAHCI just changed my own home insurance company, I had to go thru a long list and show condition of floors, sinks, etc
Everything I have was at MINIMAL standard..i t was sobering to admit to this..particle board cupboard doors are LESS value than wood doors, etc. and I ALSO saw the dang agent had me paying 100% MORE because they put down/assumed it was all "standard"..so I PAID 100% more than I needed to for 16 years! it was ~$250 a year x 16=$4,000 Overpaid..in a fire I would have NOT gotten the better value replacement because it was false from the start.. all because no one checked!
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 13, 2017 13:14:18 GMT -5
OK, mad at myself for not realizing i DID HAVE the armchair cover for the left side of an OLD 30s chair..so for 5 years+ the bag with pillow covers and 1 arm cover have been sitting there, while only ONE arm cover got use, wrecked and scratched and now is worn looking by comparison..grrrrr
I did get busy and updated that $25 shabby wingback I love, I got in 2006? and today put the seat cushion cover and new arm cover on, am washing the worn one. It desperately needs a full reupholster..finding the right business locally, or even a correct slipcover online is difficult because of shape is out of style. but will look again. SEE THE CAT SHREDDING ON LEG? Other leg is missing the front panel of fabric altogether!! I live like a slob, and find this chair acceptable, why?
Somewhere I acquired these items, prolly someone tossed out a couch and I stripped these and stored them..stuff dumped gets ruined in our rains..so I "saved" these, and am using them.
Next I tacked one big storage bin and found curtains, and a TON of wonderful samples fabrics from a fabric store--tossed out when discontinued. the gorgeous upholstery samples are large enough to cover a regular throw pillow..and so many heavy duty and quilted or semi embroidered fabric I was thinking of doing ore with them as a slipcover (have done these before)
So I got to enjoy looking at the many fabrics..some with stunning dragonfly embroidery, and such. If I don't think I will sew with them I will find another person who does.
Glad I tackled that closet again, need to totally empty it out, and vacuum and wipe down all the surfaces.. I removed the cheap hollow core 60's sliding doors I hated yeas ago, and may hang all the new curtains on a rod across the door as a shield for the storage. May even slide the antique dresser back in, as before, and open up space..or at least while the room is painted and the flooring addressed.
PS I was thinking of the textured deck paint the rolls on over aging. splintery wood..it might be the right product to just cover the glued tar paper I can't get off to make a smooth floor.. then I could lay the new room size sees rug I have.
If I sold, the floors count as "done" if PAINTED..and one carpenter told me I cold just lay down a sheet of vinyl but not glue it and that counts too..so options. Vinyl off gasses so not a fan at all especially for the cheap stuff...can't use tiles to load the post and pier supports, so has to be carpet or light bamboo/cork/wood installed which requires a PERFECT sublease..so more cost. . I also hate cheap laminate so may just paint with the textured stuff and be done!
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Post by Arid on Mar 13, 2017 13:40:39 GMT -5
Just as an aside, my 77-years old friend, who lives in the Midwest, sold her house. Then, she lived in an apartment for a year. (It was a *BEAUTIFUL* apartment, but she **HATED** apartment living!!) So, just about a year ago, she bought a *LOVELY* 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, handicap-accessible condo for $70,000. (Do I "hear" a stampede to the Midwest . . . ?!! !!) Arid P. S. Her monthly mortgage payment and HOA fees combined still are *LESS* than what the rent was for her 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. Plus, she has a washer and dryer at her condo; she didn't have such a luxury at the apartment. A.
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 13, 2017 18:03:11 GMT -5
Arid... I bet she is SMILING all the time!! did you find out , or know if she had income or bought something far below her original house cost in order get the 15 year loan at 77?
Most people think they can use their reverse mortgage when they hit 62 or 65..HA...what you get, because you are younger is just a few hundred dollars at best, when you need $1000, say for living expenses.
Reverse M is good for those without kids, or family who can't help them financially now when they need it, and once we are gone, then the loan is repaid to the RM bank, the rest is settled with relatives or charities..
The home like mine on 1/3 acre I got for $75K now sells for over $280-$300 with some cheap upgrades, but I could not replace mine and buy someone else's that THEY got for $75 and are wanting $250 for. Staying becomes the wiser choice.
If my SS is $1300 month..and a home mortgage is $1900 or even $1300 then I would not qualify because I am still sure you can't use savings as the balance of income, incase it disappears, etc. the bank won't trust that far....one big vacation, or medical issue could use up all someone has. then how do they make the mortgage payment?
I know a 70 yr old lady, moved here from LA with $400K increase from a little house she'd been in for 40 years... but she OVERBOUGHT here and paid $350ish in 2006 ..and would use the $50K as emergency money. BUT the market dropped to $200ish for the same house, all the new seniors moving there paid far less, so now she is trapped, house too big, she can't sell and take such a loss
and my only suggested option to rent out BR 2 or BR3 to another senior..she hates that idea. So she got a reverse mortgage, but somehow she is limited on how she can use it,(maybe because they can only loan $200K) and she doesn't want to pay the interest back in future. gets confusing to understand.
Now her entire life revolves around not being able to afford to eat meat (she says) and living on pasta, but impulse buying all the time for the grandkids her daughters park with her to babysit 6 days a week!
This is called HOUSE POOR, and is a trap because keeping up with how others live or our image of what we deserve -finally in older age- does not fit with reality of not sleeping at night with worry, or being forced to work the 2am shift at Denny's at 74.
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H2H
Banned
halfwaytohoarder gets rid of it all!
Joined: February 2017
Posts: 2,041
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Post by H2H on Mar 15, 2017 20:19:35 GMT -5
am CROSS POSTING this so I can remember the history of how I un-hoarded and decluttered!!! since I chatter all over, I need to track my history in case I ever write that famous saga. Fully delusional, I know!
def6 ... you inspired me.....I am back, alive, THANKS TO SOS wonderful members!!! Just reading here is getting me going.
Climbed out from DEEP DEEP storage in GBR closet at 5:30pm..whew..... I am feeling it is a miracle to jump in and attack those bins.
Got a motivation is why ..the lady who TOOK the Blue Jeans fabrics (hooray) I just casually asked if she could use or knew of takers for quilting, dress, fancy samples, misc decorative fabrics, clothing patterns, notions, 50 yards of new dress netting, anything I could think of to give away!!!
Turns out SHE is a head seamstress for the local repertory theater costumes, and she was jumping up and down!! I have found in those bins YARDS AND YARDS AND YARDS of new dress weight fabrics I bought a decade ago, just layered in all those bins..so excited to give to someone who will use, OR knows many sewing and charity groups who will take it!! ( I will take some pics of the amazing sample upholstery fabrics just to keep to remember ..they are good for costume collars, cuffs, pockets, odd ball uses for period style dress i.e. 14th century puffy shoulder details, hat decoration etc).
BEST part is I can DONATE that body bag of SILK clothing I know I will never use. She said they can cut down to fit, or use $$ fabrics from clothing donated.
Tomorrow am laundering some quilt fleece, digging thru buttons and zippers I will never use and tossing all into the MANY bags she will get! I AM planning to KEEP the dragonfly sample, and a matching quilted fabric and will make the pillow I planned on..one thing.
GIVING UP the 30 yards++ in many tones of plum/purple/rust of: gorgeous wool and dress fabrics to make jumpers and blouses is so hard... so I set those to the side, will look at them for a few days and then, hopefully, I can fill the donation bin and let them go. Yes I can rebuy most all fabrics, but dang it, I choose THOSE, and rebuying defeats my thrifty nature..but ....will I do that much sewing? I MIGHT..knowing me I will get a bee in my bonnet, and regret a FAST purge or too much.
How well we know our nature, eh?
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Post by hollyhock on Mar 16, 2017 6:47:45 GMT -5
Wow H2H - I firmly believe that the 'universe' gives us what we need - and this just proved it. What a wonderful opportunity to give your fabrics to someone who could really use them, and allow others to really appreciate them (actors, audiences etc.)
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Post by phoenixcat on Mar 17, 2017 9:36:59 GMT -5
Just posted on Def6's thread that theatre companies are a great resource for old fabric and clothing. They need vintage for all the different productions. DM's aprons have been used in Church Basement Ladies productions and she has even been "thanked" on a full page of their program.
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