Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. I decided to do this to show what you can do when you do not think you can.
It is about my journey in taking a chance and coming to a new area, an area that had certainly seen better days.
It all started with a dollar and a duplex. The house had been vacant a few years. Owned by hoarders who lived there for almost 40 years, the house was on its way to being demolished by the City of Youngstown and just another vacant lot.
I was arrested less than 24 hours after the property went into my name for failure to maintain water service and littering.
The local City housing inspection officer had her doubts I am sure as to our ability to take this on and actually get it done. I cannot and do not blame her for that doubt. I have to take my hat off to her because she really helped us out. She arranged for us to get the dumpsters through a local Green department and has been really patient considering the time it has taken us to get done and the many snags and delays we ran into.
It is important in doing something like this that you communicate and stay focused with your local housing department. A bad relationship there can really mess you up. Be honest and stay on the same page with them. They will work with you if you are up front with them and stay in touch with your progress.
Remember there are a lot of people who walk away from projects like this leaving vacant ugly houses that the city has to pay to demolish so expect some doubt in the beginning stages of your project. Try and understand their point of view. They have seen it all. You have to earn their respect and confidence in your work and dedication to what you are doing.
Words cannot convey just awful the place was when we first came here. Having almost 4,000 square feet of living space divided into two apartments (one up, one down) with twenty rooms plus almost 2,000 square foot basement and detached four car tandem garage packed full to ceiling height in most rooms.
Trash had not been thrown out for years. There was rampant racoon and rat feces and damage. Water damage from leaking roof never repaired. Everything in the whole house needed to be either replaced or repaired.
It has taken 18 months to get almost done. We should be finished in about five days and cleared for occupation by the City.