Blogelemy

"Human Planet" Trailer

I don't seem to ever get tired of watching videos like this one:

 

TV show I keep coming back to: Property Ladder

For the past several months my wife and I have been watching a lot of HGTV.  Most of the shows are the same shows with a different name (i.e. house hunters, property virgins).  We also have been watching some shows on TLC.  One show that we started to Tivo is "Property Ladder".

"Property Ladder" is a show where first-time home flippers try to make some fast cash by taking a run-down dilapidated house and remodeling it with whatever construction skills they may or may not have.  Usually these flips are complete trainwrecks.  This is probably one of the reasons why I like watching this show. 

Lesson's I've learned about flipping a home from "Property Ladders":

• You will always spend more than your budget
• It's doubtful that you will finish the flip in the time you think it will take.  Something always comes up.
• Measure twice, cut once
• If you hire a contractor, stay on top of the contractor.  Make sure your expectations are clear.
• If you plan on doing most of the work yourself.  Plan on having no life until the project is done.
• It's usually better to hire someone to do the things you have no business doing (plumbing, electric, foundation work)
• Don't let your paricular tastes in colors determine your decisions for others.  Make decisions that will appeal to more people.
• Don't use your credit cards as a line of credit. That's never a good idea.