• Removed outdated fluorescent lighting and replaced with 6x 5″ recessed can lights; bumped ceiling 12,” insulated ceilings and walls and finished with cork tiles – new lighting dramatically changes the look of the kitchen
• Removed about an acre (or so) of blackberries (not fun)
• Replaced all windows w/new triple-pane Penguin windows
• Tiled the pellet stove with slate and recycled glass tiles
• and as always, more painting!

Here’s the specifics

One of the plans for the house is reduce the electric load through more efficient heating/cooling systems. The slate throughout the bathroom, kitchen and entry was planned to sit over a between joist radiant heating system. The slate stone will act as a thermal mass to radiant heat during the winter and keep cool surfaces during the summertime.  We’re planning to install the radiant system ourselves over the next few months.

To prepare for the radiant system, the following plumbing work was recently complete:

• Removed all plumbing lines and replaced with new pex (PVC) pipe
• Removed all external plumbing lines
• Removed the external pressure tank, moved to the basement
• Awaiting a new heat exchanger water heater that will allow for a solar heating system addition in the near future

We’ve also completed some other projects

• Completed the porch conversion to a usable laundry room
• Added a flagstone walkway to entry
• Built a new backyard fence, removed the existing cyclone fencing
• Planted over 40 native trees and several fruit and nut trees
• Built two GIANT shop doors with four double-pane vinyl windows we found at a local rebuilding store for $17 each

before

after

• Salvaged 2″ hardwood butcher block counters
• Slate
• Recycled Glass Tile
• Stone Tiles
• Grout, Mortar, Silicone & Low VOC Adhesive
• Hardware, Hinges + Paint
• Faucet
• Sink

Thank  you Lisa & Chris!

We met Chris and Lisa over two years ago when we started our search for recreational properties; they’re an incredibly professional team with years of industry knowledge that we felt would help us in finding the perfect recreational property site. As there’s a plethora of leased land throughout SW WA and NW OR, they advised us as to some of the limitations of leased land and guided us through the geographic areas that suited our needs. Lisa was our primary contact; she was steadfast through the entire process and offered extremely valuable insight into the new real estate rules which seemed to continually change throughout our prospecting time due to the economy. The only reason we were able to get this home was due to our reaction time; Lisa was the catalyst for us developing the right formula which allowed us to get a conventional offer in at the same time as a cash offer, and still get the property! We can’t thank Lisa enough for all her time, and above all else, positive attitude which helped us get our dream home!

http://www.chrisbalmesproperties.com/

Thank you Melissa & Darla

Another fantastic bonus to working with Lisa Balmes was her Rolodex of contacts, from which we found Melissa Stashin of Pacific Residential Mortgage. Melissa arranged four appraisals on the property and kept everything moving, even in times when it appeared there was no possible way to move forward. We can’t thank Melissa and her team enough for all the time and expertise they’ve put into this project!

http://www.pacresmortgage.com/lo/melissastashin/

We hope that if you’re in the need for some real estate services, you’ll consider Chris Balmes Properties and Team Stashin!