C’mon you’ve got to admit, this is already an amazing transformation, and we haven’t even hung one piece of drywall.  This ain’t just lipstick on a pig – this is an extreme-makeover!  We’re about 3.5 weeks into putting this house back together.

For the first installment of this rehab go here:  5204 Wesley Rd – Part 1

How about that new dormer and front porch?  Both are 100% rebuilt.  Nothing was salvageable.  Just about the only the only things we saved in this house were the roof joists, the exterior walls, some interior studs and the floor joists.

The second floor of this house has been totally transformed, from basically an attic to a REAL floor with two nice bedrooms, and a spacious full bathroom.  To make the transformation, my student Joann opted for a much larger dormer to create the bath space.  The bathroom ceiling will be vaulted to create an even bigger feel.  We also rolled backed the walls 16 inches to create more space in the dormer bedrooms .  And most important, we created more ceiling height by raising the ceiling trusses by about a foot.  It doesn’t feel like a cavern anymore.

CHECK THE PICS!

The first four photos of the set below are essentially exterior shots of the new porch, new roof, and new dormer.

The next four photos show the first floor framing and how we’ve opened up the first floor to create a more modern feel and functionality.

The next 9 pictures are of the second floor framing.  There you will see all that we’ve done to create the great new space that is the 2nd floor.

The final four pictures are pretty cool.  I’m often asked, “What do you do with uneven floors that are often found in old houses that have settled over time?”

The answer – We jack up the floors and make them even again.  When you’re doing a full-gut rehab, this is a very easy task.  If however you are doing a rehab where you are not removing all the plaster or sheetrock, plan on doing some serious wall repair if you jack up the floors.  Look closely at the final few pictures and you’ll see that we used blocks of treated lumber to bring these floors up 1-3 inches in some spots.  Pretty cool.

Even better – look at the last two pictures.  That should give you some indication as to why the floors were so uneven.  This is one of two rotted columns trying desperately to hold up up the main beam in the basement.  To give you an idea of how bad each column was – my contractor needed only a good kick with his boot to remove them!

Not shown in all the pictures is the new electric, plumbing and HVAC.  Today, we’re waiting on rough inspections.  Once we get the green light from Baltimore City, we’ll insulate and start hanging drywall.

So, that’s it for now.  I’ll have a lot more to show you in about a week.

Click for all the latest pics!

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This is going to be a great rehab – so keep your hands in the car at all times, make sure any loose items are secure, please wait until the car has come to a complete stop before exiting, and <said in my King’s Dominion roller-coaster attendant voice> “Enjoy the ride.”

Mmmm…just look at that sweet piece.  Does that look like opportunity, or what?

My student, Joann; a mother of three girls,  a wife, and now part-time real estate investor, picked-up her very first rehab after joining our investment club less than 3-4 months ago.  And as her coach and mentor – I am proud as a peacock.   I’d hate to play poker with Joann, because she strikes me as the quiet calculating type; and unflappable at times when others would crumble.

Well, we’ll just see over the next few months how Joann keeps it together, cause’ folks – this is one serious rehab!

Address: 5204 Wesley Ave, Gwynn Oak, Maryland 21207  Google Map
Purchase Price:  $50,500
Rehab Amount: $80,000

Description:
This craftsman style house was purchased from a wholesaler – who tried to pull a few fast one’s on Joann, but with my help, she successfully navigated through the bull-hockey being thrown by the wholesaler.  Look at the pictures and you will see the house needs everything, including many dumpsters to haul away all the trash left by the previous owner.

The house has an unfinished full basement.  On the main level; living room, dining room, very small kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.  Walk up the stairs to the second floor and you’ll find a dormer attic with two small bedrooms.  So that’s 3BR / 1BA.

TIP:
Always be ready to walk from a deal as you should always remember there will be another coming!  If you feel like someone or something in the deal stinks like a skunk, then the whole deal stinks!  You’ll find that some investors/wholesalers like to pull last minute stunts that increase your costs, and their total profit.  It’s called the “puppy dog close.”  Why do you think those pet stores in your local mall let you play with the puppy before they tell you how much cute little Fido costs?  Because they want you to fall in love with that cute little pooping ball of fur before they slam you with the bill only after you already have visions of little Fido cuddling up next to you in bed!  That’s what this wholesaler tried to do to Joann.  Folks, never fall in love with a deal!

The Plan:
We are going to turn this craftsmen out!  We’re talking full-gut rehab back to the studs.  The budget allows for all new everything, with the exception of a finished the basement. We’re gonna tear out walls, add a big dormer, and totally change the functionality of this house to bring it into this century.  Just wait.  You’ll see.  This house is going to be an absolute stunner!

So here’s the pictures of Joann’s very first day of demo!  Enjoy, and check back next week for more progress.

Click this picture for more photos

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