Lauren Goes Rental

Somehow, it’s been nearly 6 months since we signed the contract on the cabin and started on this whole journey. It feels like the right time to do a bit of a reflection and progress update (no, it’s not done yet!).

The Personal stuff

A lot has happened since we first saw the cabin. It was early September, and I had just wrapped up a full-time tech executive role (with the company that bought my start-up and then subsequently wrecked it and themselves within 18 months). The cabin went on the market literally the day before a planned vacation to Portugal – so we squeezed in a viewing and started working on the offer with our realtor from airports.

Fast forward to mid October, when I got the call that my recent mammogram came back with some abnormalities. That same week, we closed on the cabin. A couple weeks later after more screenings and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, it was caught very early (stage 0, DCIS, get your mammograms!) – but still required a lumpectomy (two days before Christmas, what fun) and 4 weeks of radiation. To say it was a shock is an understatement…I was only 41 at diagnosis, with no family history or genetic markers for cancer.

I finished radiation at the end of February, and after 6 weeks of recovery I am feeling *mostly* back to normal and am focusing on regaining strength.

Dealing with this while also purchasing and renovating/planning a new vacation property has been…hard. On the one hand, it was a nice distraction especially since I haven’t been working a “business job”. On the other hand, it’s been a lot to handle and some days I have definitely been more stressed than is healthy. Mostly, it’s simply been exhausting and less fun than I was hoping for.

There’s a lot to be thankful for though, and that’s what I have tried to focus on. My cancer was caught early, our family and friends have been super supportive, we have this awesome property that I love, and we’re in a financial position where I don’t currently have to work and can focus on healing and the cabin.

The Cabin stuff

We are now 6 months in to this project. My original goal was to be done by the end of March and we definitely aren’t, so that goal is officially busted. However, I think we can cut ourselves some slack given that whole cancer thing.

The other major factor driving the delay (other than a much snowier winter that caused a few weeks of delays) is the septic which is still an on-going drama that I’ll have to detail another time. Since we knew that the septic issue was going to take longer to get resolved, we haven’t felt super pressed to get everything else done so quickly. As a result, I’ve been pretty lenient with our contractor on timeframes and have been slowly setting things up/ordering furniture and doing DIY projects. And we’ve taken plenty of weekends to just enjoy the place and not do a ton of work.

Now though, it’s time to speed things up and get it done. I’m hopeful that the septic will be done in the next several weeks, but no matter what I want it all done so we can more fully enjoy it ourselves and with family/friends before we put it up for short-term rental.

So far, this whole process has definitely been harder than anticipated. Granted, it’s difficult to parse out the affect my health stuff has had. But here are a few takeaways:

1. I knew this, but it had been a while – renovations are a lot to deal with, even with a good contractor. So many details, decisions, problems, delays.
2. Setting up an entire house all at once, good enough for paying guests, isn’t easy. Think about it – most likely with your home, you’ve spent years buying things for this room or that room, probably including plenty of hand-me-down furniture or “good enough” stuff. That’s how it was with ours. This is a whole different ball game that I didn’t fully realize beforehand.
3. I’m so tired of buying stuff and spending money! I never thought I’d say that, but there is just so much stuff to order, get delivered, move, dispose of, contractor checks to write. And seeing money constantly leave the bank account without making any is just not fun. Luckily I am seeing the light at the end of that tunnel.

If (Patrick would say “when!”) we do this again, I would most likely get help. There are professionals who will design and set up short-term rentals / Airbnbs for you as the investor. I didn’t want to that this time, for three reasons: 1) this place is one that we want to use ourselves and have for many years; and 2) to learn. Even if I get help on the next one, this experience will mean that I’m much more able to pick the right team and participate more intelligently. Finally 3) I like interior design and I think I’m pretty decent at it, for a diy-er.

Progress Update

OK, down to the brass tax. Here’s where we are: (Wish us luck please!!)

DONE:

• Half closet and pony wall in entrance demo’d
• Interior repainted
• Floors refinished
• New Kitchen installed (will do a full reveal post soon!!)
• Major appliances installed
• New lighting and fans installed
• Owner’s closet built in basement
• Level 2 EV Charger installed
• Front door swing direction swapped
• All interior door hinges and door handles replaced
• Closet in queen bedroom converted to open closet
• Installed new smart thermosdat
• New floor registers
• Set up internet, pest control contract, propane contract
• Set up about 2/3 of furniture (living room, dining, 2 bedrooms)

TO DO:

• Get septic replaced
• Purchase and install hot tub (including electrical)
• Install stairwell railing
• Replace shower fixtures and install bathroom hardware, mirrors, lighting
• Paint bathroom cabinets
• Finish setting up furniture
• Install new outlets and outlet covers
• Decorate, including curtains/shades
• Install security cameras
• Paint exterior doors
• Set up fire pit area
• Cut down a few trees in the way of the view
• Clean up/set up basement (maybe a ping pong table?)
• Get STR county license
• Clean up outside
• Get windows cleaned
• Fireplace makeover (nice-to-have)
• Interview and select Property manager