You know what is awesome about military housing? You don’t feel compelled to “fix” it. Oh you may want to, and want to with a desire something fierce, but it is understood that whatever you do to the house, you must also undo prior to inspection. So you limit yourself to paint and maybe sprucing up the flower beds. No sense in wasting time and money!
You know what is horrible about home ownership? You feel compelled to “fix” everything. Oh, you know that you probably won’t live in the house very long, but after having absolutely NO say so on the decor of military housing, it is like a free-for-all and you just. can’t. help. yourself. The associates at our local home improvement store think I am a contractor since I frequent their aisles so often.
Now my active duty husband and I have been married for thirteen years, during which we have lived in nine different homes: five homes on-base and four homes off-base. All four of our homes we chose to purchase, not rent. And all four homes had hideous wallpaper.
You know what is horrible about wallpaper? It never cooperates. Ever. Two hours after scoring the walls, the above picture is all I have to show for my efforts using the recommended fabric softener/water mix and a putty knife. While not near as bad as the house we owned in Florida that had a border of lighthouses and seagulls surrounding the pink living/dining room combo (adhered to the walls with what I can only assume was liquid nails…that was a tough job), I quickly realized I have my work cut out for me and am rethinking my prior opinion of the wallpaper. Was it really that bad?
Yep, yep it was/is.
Time to go back to the store…and get back to work.
What projects could you just not resist if you have ever owned a home???
About Heidi
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My comment is not about wallpaper or projects.. sorry ;) But I noticed that you said that every time you did not live on base you purchased houses instead of renting. My husband and I will be moving for the first time and I have been really curious as to if renting or buying a home is more beneficial. Can you offer me any advise or reasons why you and your husband decided to buy? Were you able to sell the home when your husband received new orders? We will be moving to Ft Bliss in April. Thanks in advance for the help! :)
We have been very, very, lucky and were only burned once on a sale, and that would not have happened except the purchaser backed out one week prior to closing so we had to wait another move cycle to bring new peeps to the area. Each time we bought it was a gamble, both financially and since you never truly know how long you will be stationed in one place. We went in with as much knowledge as possible. We considered the local resale and rental market…how many are available each year, how many are still sitting empty after a move cycle, how long we 'think' we will be at the location, and other criteria (schools, shopping, proximity to military installations, etc…) We purchased this time, instead of renting, because there is a good possibility we could be here for multiple assignments, but if not, it is a great location for a rental. We are treating this house as an investment. There are good times and locations to buy and bad times and locations, which is when we choose to live on base. My husband's family is in real estate so we know all the risks and just prefer to buy vs. rent when possible. That said, we have always enjoyed living on base, which is pretty much renting!
I actually managed to keep my husband from trying to remodel the two houses we bought. Generally I don't mind the wish to improve, but I also know his lack of time and who will get saddled with finishing up what was started :)) Personally I don't possess the same urge to "fix" everything, not in this second house anyway. Mainly that has to do with the fact that we bought this house specifically to rent it out after we leave here (whenever that may be) and that we will spend enough on getting it ready for tenants. It is not our house to live in happily after, so no improvements that spring from our fickle minds are needed :)
Oh I wish I had your strength. But that wallpaper just had to go. We plan on renting this house as well, but since it was a short sale, the list has been long in just making it livable (and marketable in this competitive rental scene). And my husband is currently down in the half bath cursing me for beginning the project. Hey…he's the one who volunteered to help me! hahahahaha.
After 20 yrs. as active duty spouse and 12 moves, (gosh I feel old)…we have purchased two homes. Both became rentals after we left. It's important to think about the area you chose. Is this going to remain near a base? Is the area near good schools? We have always used a property mgt. company, as it eases the stress. We also purchased both homes that did not need any major work. Our first home was a rental for 10 yrs as we moved overseas. We were then able to sell it and purchase another nicer home, which is now a rental. Unfortunately, we can't afford to sell yet until were ready to buy again, as the economy is not cooperating! Purchasing can be a nice investment if you're willing to rent!