Big Picture: Where are we?
Hardscape is 98% complete.
Aggressively evaluating new projects.
Corp Update
- I took about 10 days off to go racing and to visit my Dad, so this update is a little overdue.
- In more mundane news, I completed the renewal of my contractor’s license, after a bit of back-and-forth with some city employees who wanted to nit-pick my notarized affidavit. Fortunately, a quick escalation to the supervisor cleared up the issue, and I’m good for another 12 months.
Property Updates: Mintwood
- So as not to bury the lead: we have a front yard. In fact, we have finished nearly all of the hardscape work, save for building the fence in the back. This past week, the masons came and put a 2 inch “veneer” the existing front steps. We also set two new (solid) sandstone steps and also set the front walkway. It looks amazing! As soon as they wrapped up, I backfilled the dirt and then the Entropy Landscape Architect (aka my wife) got the final round of plants in the ground. We are absolutely thrilled with the results. The small mezzanine in the steps really sets the house apart and creates an elegant entrance. The retaining wall and steps also define the yard nicely. The goal was to make it visually inviting without ending up with dog poop in our landscaping, and I think we’ve achieved that. Our remaining challenge is to keep the delivery people from using our walkway and hopping the fence to get to the neighbors’ yard, but we’ll sort that out.
For those who read the newsletter by email, you may want to jump on the website to see the before and after photos:
- At a practical level, the new steps should be really helpful for folks coming and going. We widened the first step out the door, making it easier to step out. There are two steps, then the big landing area, then two more steps. Right by the sidewalk is a 5′ x 2′ piece of slate that was the original hearth to the kitchen fireplace for the house. I saved it when we did demolition (a million years ago) and this is it’s new location. The new entry path should be much easier for hauling luggage out to an airport Uber and for those who might have challenges on steps in general.
- In the backyard, we finished all of the welding on the fence posts. We’re going to cut the concrete this week, and build the fence. I will be glad not to see the neighbor again.
- I’ve been working on the CNC drawings for the trim we need for the front door. I finally have drawing that I think are ready to take to the shop and mill the new parts. Hoping to do that Tuesday morning. Fingers crossed…
Other Properties
- We had a huge water leak at Hatfield Street. We had a big storm, and the tenants sent me video of water basically rushing into the dining room. Fortunately, “I got a guy.” Seriously, there’s a guy who has done some roof work for me in the past, and he was able to come out quickly and figure out what was going on. We’d apparently lost about 10 shingles during a wind storm, so the water was basically running down inside the walls. Ugh! He replaced the shingles and sorted out the exterior damage. I’ve spent the past few days patching up the drywall and getting the interior back in shape. The damage wasn’t huge, and the tenants have been great about it. It’s a good reminder, though, that owning real estate is not a “hands off” business. (Photos below show the progression of the repair of one window)
- With the renewal of my GC license complete, I was able to schedule the final inspection for the deck at 410. I didn’t really doubt it would pass, since I’m pretty meticulous, but it’s nice to have the checkmark. Indeed, it’s a good reminder that having a tidy job site matters. The inspector didn’t even look at a lot of the little details that are required in the plan- because he has the confidence that I’m following the rules. If you’re trying to slide one past the inspectors, they tend to notice that quickly and then you’re going to undergo a well-deserved colonoscopy. The only thing left with the deck project is to invoice the sisters who own the building, which means getting my books fully squared away. That’ll likely be in September, as I have a few more pressing things this month.We have a new tenant moving into Duncan St on Sept 1st, so right after the charity event I’m going to spend a couple of days over there just getting everything dialed in for the new occupant.
- I continue to look forward to my next project. I’ve been evaluating some new properties, and just this week, someone slapped a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sign up on a garage I’ve had my eye on for a couple of years. If I can snag that, it would be a real win. It has a small office/ apartment space above the space that I would ideally make into my workshop. I’m also pursuing a building close to home that has had some fire damage. Stay tuned for any updates.
We have a little less than two weeks before we host a modest charity event here at the house (about 30 people). Here’s what’s on tap between now and then:
| Aug 19 | Paint the fence posts |
| Aug 20 | CNC time in the shop |
| Aug 21 | Start fence construction – driveway section |
| Aug 22 | Cut the concrete curbing |
| Aug 23 | Fence construction – patio level |
| Aug 24 | contingency |
| Aug 25 | contingency |
| Aug 26 | Trim install – vestibule |
| Aug 27 | Trim – front door, exterior |
| Aug 28 | contingency |
| Aug 29 | final prep and cleaning/ Event that evening |
| Aug 30 | Cleaning, Duncan St |
| Aug 31 | Cleaning & Handover, Duncan St. |
If I can squeeze it in, I’ll work on the floating shelves above the TV, but just getting the trim work done would really make me happy.
The front of the house (and indeed the back as well) finally look like we live here. I often say this verbally, but it’s worth reducing to writing- I’m incredibly grateful to my wife for her support with all of this. At a “big picture” level, she was the one who suggested to me to pack up the truck and come to Pittsburgh to “find some real estate projects to work on” – ostensibly while I was interviewing for my next job in tech. Then, as the job offers came along, she was the one who said to me, “You’re really enjoying what you’re doing. Why not just do that, and not go back to an office job?” Even when those changes impacted her personally- whether it’s living in a small rental unit, or tolerating extended delays in the construction process- she’s been incredibly supportive and I am so, so grateful to her. Love you, sweetie.
Entropy Properties LLC 