First Impressions

As I mentioned earlier,

we rented our new home based on internet pictures

and a video walkthrough with the realtor.

So when we arrived,

there were some nerves.

Did we make a wise decision?

We visited our new home on Tuesday night June 4

after a 5 day drive across the country.

It was probably not the best time to view it, but ...

We walked in ... and ... the smell was not so great.

The carpets were still damp from being shampooed (that was good).

The walls were a very dingy beige and though they had been patched,

they had been patched with different color spackle and not repainted.

Our first impression was less than stellar.

While the place had space and potential,

it was showing the wear of many, many renters.

On moving day, we contacted the landlord.

We needed some problems documented that might affect our deposits.

Before she came over,

the previous tenants visited to check for left behind items

and to "assure" us that the walls would not be taken care of by the landlord.

When the landlord arrived,

hubby went to bat for me.

He showed the landlord the diseased walls.

He explained that we would do the work if she would provide the paint.

Her initial response was to suggest that we just cover the spots with artwork.

Hubby kept pushing and I showed up and explained that the speckled walls were not very homey.

And guess what?

She approved it!

They provided paint and threw in a refrigerator that we had agreed to purchase for $200 for my labor.

She also agreed to pay for materials to let hubby buy new screen to fix quite a few holey window screens

and to put a new lock on the door (since there were numerous keys floating around).

"Just cover the patches with artwork"

The beige color in the foreground and dove white behind.

Starting to feel like home.

The living room has now been painted and the change is amazing.

The walls are bright, clean, and the patches no longer show!

While I still have the dining room and kitchen to go ...

we now are encouraged, rather than discouraged, by the rental house.

We are also hoping that there is enough paint left over to freshen up 2 bathrooms!