Castle Nightmares
Posted October 6th, 2009 in Real Estate, Sharing the Experience | 
Making a Castle
Selling homes is more than a sign on the lawn. Many times it is listening to stories of dreams and aspirations. The best of the best often begin in discussions with new home buyers who envision great things that will turn the home they buy into a castle.
Skill Sets
Many times talks center on the comparison of skill sets relative to the dream hoped for. The topics of electrical, plumbing, mechanical and carpentry fill the room followed by asking the simple questions of have they ever done this type of work and do they now own tools necessary to complete the associated tasks?
Seemingly Simple
Responses range from “I have been following the sales at Home Depot and plan to buy a new set of screwdrivers” or “yeah we have been watching Holmes on Holmes and well, it doesn’t look all that difficult.”
Something is Missing
Unfortunately, for many, the enthusiasm of the dream is soon overshadowed by the reality of lacking skills, tools and money.
Found on There I Fixed It is this castle of nightmares.
Ah the problem of my generation: lack of any “real” skills. I’m 30yo.
While our parents were both at work in the 80s we stayed home and played video games. We then pursued degrees that would get us the same high-paying white collar jobs our parents had. All the time our parents never passed on the basic skills we need. Its sad how many yuppies of my generation that are lost in a kitchen, cannot sew a button or patch a rip, are afraid of power tools, cannot hammer a nail properly, throw away things rather than repair them, pay contractors $$$ for simple things they “should” beable to DIY, …
Arg.
I built my castle in Ottawa, wish I could afford a shack here
Chris,
You are so right about this skill dilemma. Often heard is “you can’t do everything well, or I make more money than the tradesman so it makes sense to pay them to do it.” Wondered is what do they do when a light bulb needs replacing.
It is a constant problem in my business as I meet dreamy eyed buyers who think the process is simple, don’t understand the implications of ripping walls apart, have no idea of how to it back together or if they do figure it out, that it would take so long and be so messy and exspensive. They, I think, are lulled into believing this from the various encapsulated television ‘fix it’ shows that last 30 minutes when in fact the real time frame for the project is months. Cautioned they are but, few listen. Sad but true, I have during my time in this business witnessed solid, well meaning clients with young families split apart within weeks of beginning a renovation.