I think I'd be careful how I spent it, but if you will enjoy the process and this is your "bucket list", then I'd go ahead (again, carefully). The longer the wait to do it, the shorter the time you will enjoy it. I have done things many times and wondered why the heck I did not do that sooner. I am very cautious and it sounds like you are too. I bargain shopped and am pinching pennies til they scream, lol. However, I have waited a long time to get a home that is done and is where I feel is our family nest for the long term. I work hard and save everywhere else, so this is our splurge. I think it may also make your dh happy to see you getting what you have waited for for so long. It would be lovely if he could enjoy it for a while with you. If he is with you on this and likes planning and working on it with you, this could be a project that gives you time together and it may be therapeutic to see tangible results. We can't always control our health, so maybe controlling your surroundings is a way to feel a little power again. I do like that your focus is on looking forward. I would just caution that you do not mortgage more than you could get for the house, although since most banks won't let you do that anymore, that is less of a concern. You don't want to find that you can't afford to live there and yet can't afford to sell later on. I'd also hate to leave any heirs with a financial mess. You do not owe anyone to make them rich, but I'd hate to have my passing make someone I love poor. I do like your plan for taking on a roommate or renting out an apt. It is a great fallback position and a way to generate money regardless of your health. We rented out part of our first house and it helped us be able to move along and gain equity enough to now be in our second house and in the process of fixing it up. Some people were aghast at having to live with a tenant downstairs, but then again, most of them are not as well off now as we are ;) I wish you and your dh all the best and hope you have longer with him than expected.

Thank you Toddinmn --- the bath windows are all in a separate room from each of the main areas. 1) Basement (partial den bath connected to a stair tower are 100 series). The 3 story stairs are e series, but there is no visual connection between any of the noted 100 series proposed bathroom windows. In comparing the samples, the finish really looks pretty similar -- maybe a 10% difference to the 'scruciating' eye, but otherwise pretty darn close. Windows to tub (to your other question) are roughly 8" away -- I'll do a drop in. But I'll also do trim so can match that entire master bathroom trim of e series windows (black) to trim -- interesting question...what is your thought? Perhaps no one (other than me?) would ever notice they are different in the bathroom? I wonder if anyone has regrets in installing wood interior e series windows in a bathroom... Does that help clarify? The 4" trim could be color matched to the 100 series so most people wouldn't necessarily notice --- maybe? That would save me a good $2k in windows and heck, it all adds up! I really just wonder if I am overthinking the e series (wood interior) in a bathroom and go with the 100 composite in moisture areas. Thanks so very much!

Is this rental in a market where the renters can afford to be so choosy as to reject a house because the floors don't match? When I last sought out a place to rent, flooring aesthetic wasn't even on my list of concerns, as long as it wasn't carpet (and that was a functional concern). It was stuff like "are there enough bedrooms" and "is the locaction good" and "is there a dishwasher". The wood floor and wood-look vinyl do not look good together, sure, but is it worth tearing up and replacing right now? If that level of detail is indeed crucial in your market, I agree with the slate-look sheet vinyl. In my old apartment, it was all original hardwood (1915 building) except the kitchen and bathrooms, which had sheet vinyl that looked vaguely like travertine. Wasn't the best looking, but was functional and super easy to maintain. Sheet vinyl is great for rentals, and they make some good looking patterns now (like the slate). For whatever reason, I've always been fine with tile/stone-look vinyl and vinyl-look vinyl, but I just don't like the wood-look stuff.

In answer to Patricia the issue is that the family room wood is loved by us but i do not want that some color wood in the kitchen and hall of my dark shady wooded home.... i agree with consistency and want that ...exactly what i am striving for....but i need to choose something that goes in kitchen and hall that will complement the family room not compete...i am not a decorator not even near....but i am hating how the house goes from green tile by front door and turns to the thin plank wood then to my kitchen laminate then to family room honey colored wood.....i know my husband does not want to have the family room pulled up so i wonder if a darker wood for the rest of the house and adding a stain to the family room would make things flow?? otherwise a tile that is next to the family room....this is so vexing to me and not easy...