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The refrigerator stops "freezing", the oven stops heating, the AC's blower stopped working, the main bath's shower pan broke and water is leaking into the living room downstairs; the dishwasher refuses to begin it's rinse cycle, the sink serator's motor burned... and we just used $25,000 from our equity line of credit to pay for last year's taxes and replace all three bathroom vanities, a new clothes dryer, and re-do the pool enclosure screen which the homeowner's insurance did not cover because the cost did not exceed the deductible.

As a home gets "older", so does it's structure, appliances, windows, cabinets, floors, etc., etc., etc., Since the real estate market is not in the condition to take anymore sellers into frame, we have had to maintain the refurbishment of our home... and when we do finally sell (whenever that happens!), we will buy NEW !

Our home was built in 1991, it's only 17 years old! You would figure that it should keep up a little better, but we purchased the home in 2001 and later found out it had been rented for ten consecutive years! Many families came and went, many leaks had been covered, many times repainted, many holes re-plastered.

Countless have been the nights I wonder how well I rechaulked the bedroom windows so windy raining water doesn't stream down the walls during a hurricane. Every year, after year, we spent approximately $5,000-$7,000 in upkeep maintainence. It's a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, pool home -go figure ugh? The pool has to be refinished by the way, there goes another $9 to $14,000 worth of Diamond Brite.

I can't take it any longer. I would love a breather for at least the next 7 years. I wouldn't even mind moving every 7 years just so I don't have to deal with these constant costly renovations. I love my home, but I also need to see it in good condition and it hurts when I look at my ceramic floor tiles and wish I could replace them with porcelain tile (because Travertine would be too costly). New is the way to go when buying a home unless you are buying into a neighborhood; then prepare your savings account or use your vacation money to make necessary upgrades and replace the out-dated kitchen cabinets.

Unless you are buying into a million dollar neighborhood in which homes were built back in the 1920's or in the 60's, are all sitting on an acre lot, and have all been updated with granite counter tops, solid wood cabinets, wood vertical blinds, tempered glass windows and doors, knock-down ceilings and walls, upgraded landscaping pieces of art, jet streamed whirlpool baths and multi-leveled shower heads, without mentioning the cascading pool, then it is every penny and moment of your valuable money and time to invest (notice I said invest) in a refurbished home; otherwise, buying a brand new cookie cutter or even having made to order will bring you the next couple of years of peace giving relaxed mind frame that you can put your money into something a lot more fun such as decorating !

Learn more about this author, Daisy Rosario.
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