Hard Wood Flooring Install

Progress of laying the hardwood floor over concrete.
First we ripped up carpet, pad and the wood stripping that was
nailed into the concrete. This work is slow and with three pry bars
or crow bars and goggles it took the three of us about three weeks
working a couple hours after work and weekends. I don't think I
could have done it full time seven days- the stress on the hands is
tough.
Next all the glue, paint and glop was sanded and scrubbed down to
reveal the clean concrete. A few spots had dents from whatever the
original contractors dropped on the wet concrete and those took some
grinding.

Next organize the wood to fit within each room (I have some sizable
antiques that have marble tops that took some nephews assistance in moving)
All out downstairs furniture went upstairs or into the garage.

We cut about half a room of flooring and arranged after using a t bar and
chalk line to make sure the lines were straight. Of course my house is not
square.

Then the messy gloppy gluing...
Wear disposable clothing as after each glue session just toss them and
use disposable rags, paper runners and junk cardboard. The boxes that
the flooring were shipped in were useful. Nothing went to waste.

See below we used the unopened boxes of flooring to weigh down the finished
areas. Then stay off for 30 hours, to let them start to set. The actual glue set on the
label says 24 hours but in my damp coastal weather it took 48.

This DIY project is not really that difficult. It is messy, the cutting requires an electric
miter saw, careful measuring and patience.
Order about 11% more square footage than your measurement to lay straight and about 15%
more if you are going diagonal.
I always wanted to do a palette wood floor in my place in Wyoming.
I now have the confidence to execute the project, but perhaps not the
time - yet.

House Before Photos

Thanks Moulton Niguel Water makes our PSI almost 180

my pressure regulator blew AGAIN- 3rd time in two years.

Causing pin hole leaks and the whole downstairs flooded on Christmas

My journey of getting back to normal has not been fun

Insurance covered about 30% of the damage, claiming they

depreciated everything- dry wall, molding, carpet, tile, cabinets

all which were in excellent condition.

Most water restoration companies are a scam in their own.

I opted to rent wet vacuum equipment, fans, and have myself and

children tear out the carpet flooring.

It didn't save me anything on the claim - go figure, after months of labor.

However I learned a great deal about flooring and installing

new wood. In the end (I'm not totally done putting back my beautiful

nest) it looks beautiful.

1120 feet of hardwood six in plank that is flat, recycled barn siding now

feels like a million bucks.

Here are some before pictures

Do you know that a Homestyle mortgage loan can finance 

construction repairs and remodeling costs up to 50% of value?

Call me if you want the details on a new kitchen, new flooring

or upgrading

Private Transfer Tax No FHA loan?

cute claw foot tub

New rules may prohibit Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Federal Home Loan Banks from buying mortgages in community associations with deed-based, or private, transfer fees. Ladera Ranch is one community in Orange County with these transfer fees (in addition to regular property taxes and Mello Roos). Pretty expensive home buying costs...

HOAs with transfer fees that benefit a condo community (the vast majority) could receive federal mortgage support. HOAs with mandated transfer fees that don’t directly benefit the Whole Association would be unable to obtain federal loans. Private transfer fees—typically a percent of the sale price and specified in the original condo documents—are fees paid when a condo or co-op unit is resold. They are paid from the purchaser to one of four groups: (1) the community association, (2) tax-exempt groups that provide a direct benefit to HOA owners, (3) tax-exempt groups that don’t provide a direct benefit to HOA owners (like the Sierra Club), or (4) third-party developers or investors.

All four types of transfer fees were sanctioned in the initial FHFA proposal; but in the revised proposal, transfer fees that provide “direct benefit” to communities (typically, the first two groups) would be allowed in conforming HOAs.

 “Direct benefit means that the proceeds of a private transfer fee are used exclusively to support maintenance and improvements to encumbered properties as well as cultural, educational, charitable, recreational, environmental, conservation or other similar activities that benefit exclusively the real property encumbered by the private transfer fee covenants.

Lawyers in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s office of general counsel have warned FHA that under existing “free assumability” regulations, the agency is not permitted to insure mortgages on properties that come with “restrictions on conveyance” — encumbrances on the title that could hamper transfers. That includes fees required to be paid at the sale of units in communities governed by homeowner associations.

This means mortgage companies and banks cannot finance a home with an FHA loan when a private transfer fee is part of the deal. HUD spokesman Lemar Wooley explains that “private transfer fees violate HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR 203.41, which prohibit ‘legal restrictions on conveyance,’ defined to include limits on the amount of sales proceeds retainable by the seller.
“HUD also requires lenders to convey clear marketable title in exchange for insurance benefits.”
Will HUD, the CFBP and attorneys next crack down on the huge fees Management Companies charge for condo certificates and providing copies of budget, bylaws and CCR’s? These things could be posted for free in pdf format on the HOA website

master bath with glass tile

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