26 January 2009 No Comment

Talk about a fixer! Owners Jeff Anderson and Torey Carrick must have had X-ray vision to see the gorgeous bones of this corner property in Rose Park.  Now three years later they live in a beautiful, award winning home with passerbys frequently applauding their work.

 

If you want to follow in their footsteps here is what you need to do. First know that you want a home in an historic district, one with character and one you can afford. Afford to buy and afford to restore, but maybe not all at once. In the summer of 2005, Jeff and Torey started looking, thinking Rose Park was out of their price range. But with a little digging they found their home listed at a price far beneath those nearby. And the reason was. . . .it had not been maintained for over two decades.

 

In two and half years always with a mind to the overall budget (could they help with our economic bailout?) they started from the ground up. Plumbing, wiring, gutting bath and kitchen, installing historically correct windows and French doors to a new backyard. What is their secret for staying on budget, just that, "we managed the process ourselves", per Jeff Anderson.

 

Did we mention permits and COA's (certificates of appropriateness)? Their entire plan stared with a conversation at the city of Long Beach's Historic Preservation office.  Things did not always go as hoped. Contracting with friends proved to be a mistake, assuming a discussion with a foreman was the same as the contractor, again was bad thinking. They thank Tom Barnes for introducing them to talented artisans and craftspeople many listed as vendors at our recent Restoration Trade Fair.