Our journey in home transformation is an ongoing adventure, and while our current duplex renovation project is still very much a work in progress, our minds are already buzzing with thoughts of the next exciting challenge. This unwavering passion for revitalizing spaces fuels our long-term vision: to build a substantial portfolio of rental properties that will support us through retirement. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on this ambitious goal, sharing the captivating story of a recent house tour that almost had us signing on the dotted line for our next big project. What was it about this particular property that ignited our imagination? What ambitious plans did we envision for its transformation? And ultimately, why did we decide to let it go? Beyond our real estate aspirations, we’ll also detail the dramatic removal of our front porch railings – a significant step in our current home’s exterior makeover – and recount a hilarious, albeit highly embarrassing, incident involving a break-in scare and a very patient police officer.
For those eager to dive deeper into these stories and insights, this episode is readily available across your favorite podcast platforms. You can easily download it from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify. Alternatively, you can stream it directly below on this page. After listening, be sure to revisit this article for all the referenced links, detailed notes, and visual aids that bring our stories to life. Note: If you’re using a feed reader, you might need to click through to the original post to view the embedded player.
Transforming Our Home: The Latest Renovations & Creative Reuse
Our home renovation journey is always evolving, and we’re excited to share the latest updates. First, for anyone who might have missed the extensive discussions about our ambitious project to paint our brick house’s exterior a fresh white, you can catch up on all the details by listening to Episode #101. We provided another crucial update in Episode #105, where we revealed our exciting discovery of a mineral paint specifically designed for brick, allowing it to breathe while offering an incredible warranty. This was a game-changer for our exterior aesthetic.
The Front Porch Evolution: From Dated to Dynamic
One of the most impactful changes we’ve recently undertaken is the transformation of our front porch. For many years, the porch featured ornate Chippendale railings, which, while offering a certain classic charm, also presented practical challenges and felt somewhat enclosed. Here’s a look back at what our porch looked like for the majority of the time we’ve lived in this house, illustrating the aesthetic we were ready to update:
Now, with the Chippendale railings officially removed, the difference is striking. The porch immediately feels much more open, inviting, and expansive – a significant leap closer to the clean, uncluttered inspiration images we’ve been eyeing. Although it’s still very much a work in progress, the impact is undeniable. It’s amazing how much wider and more welcoming the brick porch floor appears in the shot below, simply by removing those visual barriers!
The immediate sense of spaciousness and modernity that resulted from taking down those railings was truly astonishing. Our local building code doesn’t require railings for porches that are so close to the ground, giving us the freedom to embrace this more open design. The previous railings, with their intricate lattice work, often felt almost cage-like, reminiscent of our old back deck before we tackled its removal, a project detailed in Episode #67. Our future plans for the porch include adding a sleek, clean-lined iron handrail on the steps, primarily to offer a secure and easy-to-navigate option for anyone who prefers the assistance of a railing.
I also realized I forgot to mention a key benefit of this removal in the podcast episode: cleaning those railings was a perennial nightmare. Every spring, they became magnets for mildew, pollen, and spiderwebs, clinging to every nook and cranny of the painted metal. Because of their finish, we couldn’t even powerwash them without risking damage, making manual cleaning an arduous and thankless task. The thought of those railings finding a new life INSIDE our duplex, where they won’t be subjected to the elements, brings immense relief and makes this transformation even more satisfying.
As we detailed in the episode, the actual process of taking down the railings was surprisingly straightforward. After locating and removing a few screws that secured them (you can even spot one in the photo above, painted over but still easily accessible), we simply needed to run a box cutter along the paint seams. With just a couple of gentle wiggles, the entire sections came free. Removing the vertical posts, which we confirmed were not load-bearing, was even simpler: I cut right through the middle and wiggled the two halves out from their top and bottom anchor points.
In a stroke of luck, we were able to coordinate the transport of these railings to Cape Charles. Sean The Contractor, who is assisting with our duplex project, sent one of his team members to pick up the replacement diamond door (remember that whole saga from Episode #109?!), and the railings hitched a ride. This means they were swiftly off to begin their new lives as interior stair railings in the duplex, a fantastic example of creative reuse and sustainable renovation.
The most exciting news is that the crew has already started installing them in the duplex! We’re thrilled to share an exclusive sneak peek of how fantastic they look in their new home in this week’s email newsletter – so be sure to subscribe if you want to see this transformation unfold.
Finally, to provide a little context for our exterior renovation philosophy, here’s a look back at what we did to the front porch columns of our previous home. You can read our detailed process for “chunking them out” here, and then see the impressive final look after we completed the siding painting as well. It’s always inspiring to see how a few thoughtful changes can dramatically update a home’s facade.
A Brush with the Law: Our Embarrassing Home Security Mishap
Homeownership comes with its fair share of surprises, and sometimes, those surprises lead to truly unforgettable, and often embarrassing, moments. We recently had one such experience involving a misplaced sense of alarm and a very polite police officer. While we won’t delve into every detail of our highly embarrassing story about the cops being called to our home, we can offer a visual clue to the culprit. In this older photo of our kids’ toy closet in the foyer, you can clearly spot the offending motion detector perched innocently in the corner of the crown molding. It was this seemingly harmless piece of home security tech that ultimately triggered our unexpected and rather mortifying encounter. It just goes to show that even the most well-intentioned security systems can lead to hilarious misunderstandings!
Beyond Our Current Project: Envisioning Our Rental Property Empire
Even with a significant duplex renovation underway, our minds are constantly exploring future possibilities, especially as we plan to strategically grow our rental property portfolio for retirement. The aspiration to own multiple income-generating properties is a core part of our long-term financial strategy, allowing us to pursue our passion for design and renovation while building a secure future. We recently toured a house that had us very seriously considering making an offer for our next renovation and rental venture.
None of the picturesque houses you see here are the specific property we almost acquired; these images are purely for inspiration, showcasing the stunning architecture found in Richmond’s historic Fan District. This area, aptly named for its streets that fan out from a central park, is a place we absolutely adore exploring on foot, mesmerized by the sheer beauty and character of its homes. While the houses pictured here are undeniably exquisite and well beyond our immediate price range, a recent stroll through the Fan District deeply inspired us. It cemented our desire to consider a location with similar charm and walkability for our next real estate project once the duplex is complete.
The property we toured was different, a diamond in the rough with significant renovation potential, but it possessed the bones and location that sparked our imagination. We envisioned transforming it into either a long-term rental property, contributing steadily to our retirement fund, or perhaps even a vacation rental. The decision between these two strategies largely depends on the specific property found and its unique attributes. However, neighborhoods like the Fan District, with their incredible walkability and proximity to Richmond’s attractions, are incredibly tempting for an Airbnb-style vacation rental. Visitors would undoubtedly appreciate the convenience and local flavor. Plus, as a bonus, areas like this boast an abundance of vibrantly painted brick homes, adding to the architectural appeal and inspiring us for future design choices!
Tools & Entertainment We’re Currently Loving: Our Latest “Digs”
In every episode, we love to share a few things that have recently caught our eye or made our lives a little better. This week, we’ve got some fantastic recommendations for both your home and your entertainment.
Home & Garden Essentials
First up, for those tackling yard work, we have a new favorite tool. As promised, here’s that picture of Sherry in action, purchasing her new trimmer right alongside the tubs we discussed in Episode #105. It was quite the multi-tasking shopping trip!
My old trimmer, which I still use here in Richmond, has been discontinued, so Sherry took the opportunity to grab this fantastic new trimmer/edger. It boasts two features that I truly appreciate and make yard work significantly easier. The first is the ingenious foot pedal, which allows for effortless and rapid switching between trimming and edging modes – a huge improvement over manually twisting the pole. This small design change saves so much time and effort!
Secondly, for keeping your home spotless, Sherry also highlighted our beloved vacuum cleaner. One of its standout features is the convenient foot switch that allows you to seamlessly transition between cleaning carpets and hard floors. This versatility and ease of use are why we love this vacuum so much; in fact, we even bought a second one for our beach house, proving its indispensable value in maintaining a clean living space.
Captivating Reads & Watches
You likely don’t need us to explain how to watch the wildly popular movie Crazy Rich Asians, or how to immerse yourself in the nationally bestselling book trilogy that started it all: Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, and Rich People Problems. However, we simply had to give a massive shout-out to the brilliant author behind this phenomenon, Kevin Kwan. Beyond his incredible storytelling, Kevin is an all-around genuinely wonderful person. We had the pleasure of being table-mates with him during the Cincinnati stop of our 2015 book tour (you can find more photos from that tour here), and his charm and wit were just as captivating in person as they are in his novels.
Speaking of memorable book tour moments, I double-checked our archives and confirmed that you can indeed see Gillian Flynn’s inscription at the bottom of this recap from our other book tour stop in Cincinnati, back in 2012. What fantastic memories!
Also, as a delightful side note, the incredibly talented star of the Crazy Rich Asians movie, Constance Wu, actually hails from our very own hometown! And we wholeheartedly echo her sentiments about it – it’s a special place indeed. These cultural gems, whether in literature or film, provide wonderful escape and inspiration, much like our home renovation projects.
Further Exploration & Sponsor Spotlight
If you’re ever searching for something we’ve recommended or “dug” in a previous episode but can’t quite recall which show notes to check, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a master list of everything we’ve been digging across all of our past episodes, organized for your convenience. You can also explore all the wonderful books we’ve recommended over the years on our dedicated Book Club page.
And finally, a huge thank you to Agility Bed for generously sponsoring this episode. For listeners looking to upgrade their sleep experience, remember you can score an incredible $150 off your hybrid mattress order by using the exclusive code YHL150 at AgilityBed.com. Agility Bed offers free shipping, and they stand by their product with a fantastic 100-night return policy – no questions asked if it’s not the perfect fit for you! We highly recommend checking them out for a truly restful night’s sleep.
Thanks so much for tuning in and joining us on our renovation and life adventures, guys! We appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm.
*This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and use.*