Phetishboy
Well-known member
Well, I figure I can finally post a thread on this, as we're finally starting to see some progress. Long story short, we started looking for a lake place back in March of this year. Thought we had one locked up, but our offer was outbid the same day and we were never allowed to counteroffer. 2 weeks later, we found a broken down fixer upper on a great lake lot, but weren't sure it was what we wanted. 6 weeks later, the owners of the house we originally tried to buy came back to us and gave us a chance to buy at our previous offer. My wife drove by the place and found 90% of the yard (including the garage) was completely underwater from flooding caused by heavy rains in the weeks before. Needless to say we decided to pass. We then decided to pursue the second property. Though it took all summer to come to an agreement, we finally were able to talk the sellers down $35,000 and closed at the end of August. We ended up spending exactly $105,000 less than the one we passed on, for a similar sized lot with a much better location, lake and beach. The trade-off being that the other house was pretty much move-in ready (though it needed a ton of updating), and this house needs a lot more work. Here are pics of the property from the week after we closed:
View of the back yard/ lake/ beach:
We immediately began the demo, but every time we tried to contact contractors to start excavation, foundation and carpentry work, no one would call us back. Finally at the end of September we were able to get a few guys out to look at the place. After several delays and broken promises, we were finally able to get the excavation, foundation and block work started on the former garage/ new arcade and bar. The space is 24 W x 31' L and the ceiling height is about 7'6". Here are some progress pics:
Now, of course no actual arcade games have yet been moved over as we have a ways to go, but I seriously hope to be able to finish the inside of the arcade by the New Year, Valentine's day at the latest. I am sure I'll look back on this false promise, shake my head and call myself a dumbass, but that is the goal.
View of the back yard/ lake/ beach:
We immediately began the demo, but every time we tried to contact contractors to start excavation, foundation and carpentry work, no one would call us back. Finally at the end of September we were able to get a few guys out to look at the place. After several delays and broken promises, we were finally able to get the excavation, foundation and block work started on the former garage/ new arcade and bar. The space is 24 W x 31' L and the ceiling height is about 7'6". Here are some progress pics:
Now, of course no actual arcade games have yet been moved over as we have a ways to go, but I seriously hope to be able to finish the inside of the arcade by the New Year, Valentine's day at the latest. I am sure I'll look back on this false promise, shake my head and call myself a dumbass, but that is the goal.
Last edited:



