Actually, I would say that most humans try to do whatever they think is best for themselves and immediate family, without seeming to impinge too outrageously upon others. Just short of official censure, IOW. Obviously a significant minority are utterly selfish and do not stop even at directly harming others and/or their prospects. I agree that every bit of extractable fossil fuel will be extracted and used, presuming our capacity to do so persists long enough. I don't think it will, for a large number of factors: climate change, environmental degradation, costly conflicts over land and resources to name a few. These will likely reduce human civilizations to subsisting on annual sun-fall before we get to all coal and shale deposits. The richest societies will likely manage a partial shift to renewables via best technology but that savings will be engulfed and then some by the ravening horde. It's gonna be a wild ride.

I would first talk to a realtor and have them walk thru the house with you. Don't hesitate to ask them what they'd charge for their time and expertise. You need to find out the current value of the home and what sales are doing in your area. My first question would be why didn't the house sell (I'm assuming it was on the market?) A realtor can also tell you what to expect in rental rates and whether the income will cover your mortgage. Have you had an independent inspector check the home? Otherwise, how do you know the structure is sound? I'm not understanding your reasoning for buying the property. Are you financially able to take on the debt and the repairs, plus any 'surprises' that may arise during the remodel? From what you've described of the home's condition, my guess is you'll need to also replace most/all appliances and fixtures. Are you planning on doing the work or using a contractor? If you're hiring it out, bring in a least 2 contractors and get bids. The repairs you've listed are typical updates. The pine paneling is an easy fix. Either paint it or tear it out and drywall (more expensive!)

I hope it's not too late to seek help on this post! I am very new to posting on GardenWeb but go on the site very often to read feedback, look at pictures of projects and get inspired. This is truly one of the best places on the internet to get "real" ideas. I recently (finally) remodeled my old, dingy kitchen. I am very pleased with my contractors work. My issue now is that I think I chose the wrong color for my walls. Totally my fault. My cabs are off-white but lean towards beige, I did a white subway tile with black accents and black granite. I went with BM Weston Flax paint for the walls - which looked to be a light/bright beige and what it turned out to be was a sunny yellow. Now, my cabinets look yellow also - which is NOT the look I was going for. I am in desperate need of a new paint color for the walls which will tie the room together. Please help! My contractor is probably going to kill me being that today is the last day on the job. Below are pictures of my kitchen from last night. The lighting is definitely an issue, I know - plus its dark out so there isn't any natural light flowing in. Any advice on new paint option would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

First, take a breath. The worst case scenario is that you'll have to paint again. They're not a loss at all. You're freaking because you have a picture in your head that isn't happening. At least right now. I am not a pro, but from all my reading I'd stop what you're doing. Let them dry off. Scrape (with a plastic scraper, not metal) anything loose off of them. Then I'd take mineral spirits and wipe them down to neutralize anything still on the surface. Then start reading. Your finishes are going to determine how well/fast the strippers work. First read the directions on the strippers you have, then in the woodworking forum, because all of this is covered about a gudzillion times. The most important thing I learned is that 20 minutes of leaving the stripper on is a joke. I'm assuming you've taken down your doors and taken the hardware off? If not, do it. In a well ventilated area, lay your doors down and pour on the stripper. Mush it around until everything's covered. Thickly. Either put these IN a black bag and seal it, or lay black plastic on it and wrap it tightly. Keep it in a warm place, but don't use heaters. Leave it for 45 minutes. Don't peek. After about that long, lift up an edge and see if your plastic scraper will lift some of the paint off. I've found, ironically, it comes off the detail better than flat surfaces. If it's not coming off, wrap it back up. If it's dried, scrape, then put more on and cover it tightly again. Keep doing it. You can remove what you can each time, but if it's not coming off, don't use brute force. Just more stripper. I've found toothpicks work well for getting into detail. For the cabinet faces if still on the wall, I cut thick strips of plastic, put the stripper on and taped it on with painter's tape. Make certain to put something down to protect your counters from drips. (Although I've learned that Wilsonart HD can withstand paint remover!) Patience is your friend, although I hate that "p" word as much as I hate the "m" word (moderation). Refinishing once the paint is off is a whole 'nother message board and I refer you back to Woodworking or Paint. Most of all, since you've got a lot of time to kill, while you wait for the stripper to do its job, search and read. You're not the first (I'm here to tell 'ya!) to learn from the expertise and experience on these boards, so avail yourself of their trial and errors, and professional advice. Read.