As we wrap up some projects and prep for new tenants to move into one of our rentals, I thought I’d take a breath and reflect on the year that was 2021.
This year we finished the big, multi-year project in Union Hill. We rented the final apartment in July, ending weekend (and sometimes evening) ferry rides. What a relief! We learned so much about restoring during the project, and you can see the transformation in this last apartment. The design decisions we made at the start of the project look like they belong in a standard flip; the design decisions we made at the end actually look like they belong in this house. It was a long, hard journey, but I am so proud of the work we did.
For all the success we had at Union Hill, we had many challenges over in Delridge. For years that was a low-stress duplex with easy tenants. We occasionally heard from them if there was a plumbing issue, but those issues were rare. During Covid, both apartments turned over, and when multiple systems needed maintenance or replacement, one tenant was understanding while the others were not.
We take pride in our properties and care for them. We aim to have positive, friendly relationships with our tenants, and we always have. These tenants were different. I emphasized with their situation – it must have been frustrating to run into so many maintenance issues. But I started running out of empathy this winter when they got hostile. I am exhausted. Thankfully, they are moving. Going forward I cannot directly manage all tenant relationships and maintain a full-time job. I’d like to find a property manager if we continue to grow our rental business.
There was also a lot of back office work too. I refinanced three mortgages at the same time, and shortly after we decided to buy a new house. The closing process was an arduous four months. There were multiple times that our agent thought it would all fall apart, but we pulled through and closed at the end of August.
Once we closed, we started the timer to get our current apartment ready to rent. We ordered new doors and decided to float luxury vinyl planks over our hardwoods, rather than refinishing them. We still have to finish the floors, trim, and doors, and I plan to upgrade the electrical so we can install a heat pump and new hot water heaters. After our experience in Delridge, I want to get ahead of these larger items, as the furnace and hot water heater end-of-life are fast approaching.
Finally, I started this blog. I began this project to write more and learn photography. My photography still needs a lot of work (as does my writing), but I enjoy having something just for me and not for work. And I hope that people who end up on this site find value in the things I share. I know there have been times I landed on a blog and learned a new technique or way to approach a challenge. I hope some of the challenges we face and share inspire or at least give you some insight.
I’m still working through what I’d like to do in 2022. My toddler is 2.5 now, and I want more time with him during these young years. I spend a lot of time doing things that absolutely drain me, and I need my energy to play with my son. This may mean taking things slower or getting more help, or likely both.
Thanks for coming along, and here’s to 2022!
