inspiration https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e4/3d/86/e43d86b1e2a0f303c4b9caac59746379.jpg

I know what will fix a lifeless fireplace...hang a wreath of dead stuff on it. Ummm... Leave it alone, and certainly don't lime wash it, not with the use it clearly gets. That smoke stain will show up even more. Besides, that stone is laid beautifully and makes a major statement. The mason took a lot of care laying that stone, and $20 worth of lime wash would desecrate it. This ain't a McMansion. The home needs to be respected for what it is, and it's clearly significant. Mr_pither has the right idea. But I'd flip that print over so that smada lesna's name could be read better. ;-) Actually, I don't think I'd hang a print or painting there because of the soot. But a sculptural piece would be nice. Do NOT buy anything from a décor store--that cheap sweatshop "wall art" junk has no place there. Look around for a local artist.

DE and Cooks Kitchen - thank you for bringing up excellent points and for not being judge mental or condescending while you do it. I’ll try to address them point by point. DE- 1- I’ve had a couple contractors come look and any walls we’d like to take out shouldn’t be too hard. 2- There’s a mix, but yes, there are $450k and up homes in the area, alongside the $225k homes. On our street we have at least three that are $400k and up and one that for sale for $700k. 3- we don’t own the home, so no sale money. The homes we could buy other than this within our budget will either be a) not in the school district b) either not be enough house or not enough yard for us. We have to stay within this school district due to custody requirements, and it’s a high priced district. The yard is important because we have five dogs and a small yard will get destroyed and not leave space for kids stuff too. I’m totally happy with “regular” appliances and fixtures and I’m a good bargain shopper. My ex and I remodeled a large kitchen from the studs out ten years ago and only spent $7000. We did it ourselves, but my current husband and I can do most of the work past the framing and electric and plumbing too. Cooks- I’m absolutely not basing my opinions on value on the seller. I have done some real estate assisting and have several friends who are realtors (who will not be involved in the sale, thus have no financial interest) who are telling me to jump on this! The seller is in poor health and has already made $50k in rent off of me. She doesn’t want to have to do the minor repairs and cleaning that should be done to list it, although I think she would rather do that, but her husband really doesn’t want to and he basically told her she’s being greedy because between rent and selling it at 20k over what they paid, with very minimal investment, they will still come out $70k ahead. We will absolutely do an inspection! There’s no septic, so that’s not an issue. I don’t need a 50k kitchen. If we did that ourselves, without any wall changes, I can do what I’d like for $15 and be very happy. I’m not sure that my attachment is so much emotional, as it is that finding what we need in the area we need it is, within budget is darned near impossible. I detailed above in my notes to DE why. Also, we have a chunk of money that we have set aside that would cover a large part of said remodels. Doing the math, our monthly payment would be way lower if we purchase this house and pay cash for remodel (or even half cash half financed) than if we buy a higher priced house that gets us everything we want now and use that money towards down payment.

It is high but contractors/remodelers in this area can name their prices, then you get in line for a date. I contracted cabinet painters in November; their first open date was mid-March. My friend who kept telling her husband they should screen in the deck while it was being built, thus cheaper, feels vindicated for being right, but not enough to spend that much!