Unexpectedly, we got a call that said that while they cried as they left, our new old house was free and ours a few days early. We decided we would head on over, take some pictures and clean the kitchen again before we start moving anything in. I took these and have processed them in black and white to soften some of the grime - there is a lot of work ahead.
The house is built around the chimney, which is the only real solid part of the home and services all of the ventilation. There is currently one fireplace, but we are open to the potential of putting a second one in on the floor above - but it is far from a priority as we will not generally need it for heating, it is more atmospheric.
The stairs are fantastic and once they have been cleaned up and repainted, they should make a nice feature in the home. We are also taking out a few walls to let the light reach deeper into the house and clean up the lines. There are a lot of doors that close off and complicate spaces unnecessarily and once we are able to open them up, there will be a grander feel to the stair well.
Currently, the house runs on oil heating, which will be the first thing we change as it used between 3 and 4000 liters of oil per year - which is both expensive and not great for the environment. We were planning on putting in geothermal heating where they drill a very deep well for the exchange system, but with the recent advances in an air/water exchanges that have improved them for Nordic conditions, we are leaning that way. The house is large so the cost and type of heating is important, especially in a country where it can drop to -30C (-22F) occasionally.
Our neighbours dropped by for a stickybeak to see what the place looks like empty. The neighbour is my wife's best friend for over 30 years and live in a similar kind of home they have been renovating the last decade or more. This isn't a small task ahead, especially since we are going to be doing as much of it as possible ourselves and I am hoping that they can help out a little.
A lot of the house is original, which means it has to be torn down and replaced, as it has been in there since the 60s. However, there is a lot of character in the home and we are going to try and preserve some features while still updating into some very modern styles. The bathroom and second toilet are going to be very minimal.
The house is split into three levels, with the basement being cold, which is where the only shower is currently. Originally, there were two families living in the house, so there were two kitchens and lounge rooms, so we aren't likely to run out of space too soon. The size of the house isn't why we bought this place though, it was the land, location and that when we walked in, it felt like it could become our home. This space below is the basement-level garage and since it fits two cars, this space will eventually be where I have a bit of a place to get my hands dirty.
It also has two attics that run the length of the house and we are looking to warm them and turn them into closets, as despite the size of the house itself, the two bedrooms do not have any storage space at all and we will have to build them in. Our daughter's room is actually an old kitchen and has weird spaces, complete with holes that run outside that brought air into the potato cupboard.
And of course, there is a sauna, something that I have missed since I haven't had an apartment with one for fifteen years. This one is wood-fired, which means I am going to have to buy some wood from somewhere to heat it. We have a birch tree that has to be removed close to the house, so in time that will provide firewood for quite a few years, but felling that is some way off.
The ex-owners left us a pile of books next to the keys for the house, including a key with a question mark, as they had no idea what it was for. Th book on top (House Doctor) is supposedly famous for these kinds of houses and explains why and how things should be done a certain way. For example, the house needs to "breathe" properly in order not to get mold, it needs enough airflow.
The nicest part of the day was how excited and comfortable our daughter was there, curious as to what things were, but confident enough to roam the rooms by herself exploring. She is very keen to get in there, but is worried that our dog is going to get lost and be upset.
For the work that needs to be done as well as what we want to do, we do not really have a large enough budget, so will have to compromise and postpone a fair bit. With the ongoing global health crisis and the expected continued economic collapse, we are even more under strain - but for now, I am not going to think too much about that and just enjoy the feeling of finally having our own space to grow into - to breathe so we don't get moldy. This has been a lifestyle decision for us, one where we have more work to do, but it is ours.
I guess if you go geothermal, you want it done before you work on your garden. I know all of thisnis easoer if you home is well insulated, but you mentioned holes in you daughter's room. Maybe you ought to do a thermal check before it gets too warm outside so you alcan figure out the best places to start improving. I know people who've saved hundreds a year with little more than a couple rolls of duct tap, bubble wrap, and expanding spray foam. Works best in places one doesn't see.
You are right about the insulation, it is very important here. These kinds of houses have to find a balance between keeping the warmth in and letting air flow through, and we have people who will make sure this is done.
That is something, how much can the geothermal heating lower that? How long till it's break-even?
Ail is new oil - its vegan and gluten free :D
Break even (depending) is between 8 and 12 years. The pump has to be replaced between 25 and 30 years, but the expense is in the drilling of the well itself. The one we would need is about 250 metres deep. Adding in geothermal increases property value more than the cost of the system, something we have to consider due to our loan conditions.
I didn't know that! You're just too vogue for me. Gluten free is just the TRUTH, dat makes sense.
QuickQuestion: What do you think the HIVE price will be 24H from now?
What is it currently? 4000 sats? I haven't really been watching it so far. I would say that it is likely going to drop a little from there, so I will predict 3000 24 hrs from now
Ok, but I'll have to take the value of the satoshi right now, to translate into $ and add you into my quiz. 0.2275$
cool. I don't generally look at the fiat values myself, unless talking about it with others :D
It actually is a good thing to do. Everything in crypto rises and falls with the BTC anyway.
Uff 00:00 and you did some physical work today, still online, the hustle is real.
😍😍😍 I will keep a link to your article. Now I am actively accumulating funds to buy my home. Your article is more than excellent motivation. 😍😍😍
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I am not sure if we have done the right thing - it is a lot of work :D
You must be overjoyed to be in there at last, work ahead aside!
Congratulations!
Heating is definitely worth investing in, it'll pay for itself in the long run.
Besides that, which room first?
The Aussie guest room mate! (Don't distract the T-dog mate...He got work to do getting my room ready!)
We are warming the basement :)
Oi ya cheeky bugger!
Nah, fuck it, I'll take it! Lol.
It should be pretty decent down there once done, but unlikely to have a bedroom.
I'm sure I would have slept in worse places.
First thing is putting in a bathroom upstairs, as there is only a toilet there. while that is getting done, we do the upstairs surfaces while we live on the ground floor. - then switch.
If you live upstairs, will you give the tenants downstairs?
No, unless we really need the money. It hasn't been designed for more than one family, but 50 years ago they did use it for two families for some time.
We might have some AirBnB's though
Although the house is old, the structure seems to be good.
Finland is cold, so I think you should pay attention to heating.
I wish you a happy life in a good home.
Yes, it is in pretty good condition considering the age and the heating is the first thing we will improve.
Stop slacking and get my guest suite ready brah!
The guest den.
That'll do!
Let her know the dog will be fine once he's had a good explore and sniff around ;D
The house looks like a decent size, and I know you were going for arty rather than informational with these pics, so I'm struggling to get an idea of the layout (with all those stairs I'm actually completely confused XD).
You know when you find the right place though don't you :)
I think the work is totally worth it (I say because we're having fun with our ancient crumbling house built in the late 1890s with modifications from the 70s including bloody asbestos cladding which I'm really glad we found out about before we decided to drill some planters and stuff into it x_x).
I might do a layout post at some point when I have time to draw it up. The one we have is wrong. =)
There are two question mark areas and we have to send samples away to be tested in Helsinki - unfortunately, there is no traffic going in and out of that region at the moment. :/
oh wow! your post shares a lot of feeling of excitement.
like we're a part of moving in too. hahaha! with you.
i love the sauna part. wow!
i would want my own steam room someday.
goodluck and keep safe. enjoy the new journey.
THe sauna should be good I hope, as the wood-fired ones give a nicer heat :)
Thanks. I will try to keep some updates coming from time to time :)
What a dream!! The place looks great to be honest, I actually really love some of those photos. You should absolutely print them and put them in an album too look back on one day, nothing like having physical photos to look at. Congrats on the home, I would give anything to be able to afford something like that for my wife and I. Maybe one day :) Keep updating us with photos as you renovate!!
I am hoping to have an album from start to finish.
Currently, the bank owns the majority of it :)
Oh that will be a beautiful album, keep it up, you will truly cherish it. As for the bank, yeah I never think of that with mortgages and such, I'm sure you will have it paid off in no time :) Congrats anyhow, it's pretty epic to have your own home!!
Looks like a big job ahead, and although I'm sure you'll enjoy (blogging about) the journey, when complete it should be a lovely home.
Found out what the key is for yet?
It should be great. Hopefully you will visit once it is closer to being ready :)
No idea. Once we move in I will start exploring.
That would be grand :) You might be a good way there by the time we are allowed out of our houses :)
Perhaps the little lady can help with the key - plenty of scope for bedtimes stories I'm sure.
Or it will be still "as is" :D
It is a rough diamond with loads of potential. Getting the house early means you can start moving yourself lol. They say kitchens and bathroom add the value but I think whatever you do will add value. It helps having your wife's best friend next door as she must be happy.
Yep, that is what we are doing. First load went over today, and then more cleaning - not that the cleaning will matter once we start pulling it all apart.
They are going to visit often... :D
I was thinking of how convenient for baby sitters lol.
Great minds....
New homes don't come along often
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Very nice words in nice photos. congrats :)