After my wife and I got married in the summer of 2020 we were without a home. But I did own a small home in Montana from my military service. The house was occupied by my old roommate who was taking care of the place (Or lack thereof). After a few months of us living at my in laws, we decided to move from California to the house in Montana.
Sewer line
This little house that was built in 1897 needed some upgrading. After a few weeks of moving into the house we had plumbing issues with the sewer line. This was an expensive but needed repair.
New wood fire stove
We also installed a new wood stove in the living room. A new wood stove was so enjoyable as the Montana winter started in November. My wife and I were able to enjoy our first Christmas as a married couple with the Christmas tree and a warm cozy fire.
Door replacement
After Christmas we installed a new front door, which had the door lock key code. The new electronic key code with a deadbolt made it convenient for guests to enter the home. The blue colored door gave the home a warm entrance.
Deck construction
We built a new deck for the backyard and the front yard. The backyard deck was large enough for seating a table of 6-12 guests. The front deck had beautiful railing and gave the old home a grand entrance. The front deck was built with a lot of steps and a landing.
Landscaping
When springtime came we were able to start new landscaping. The largest project we worked on was a new backyard deck and rebuilt patio.
The transformation of the yard with the green grass, patio and deck made this an attractive airbnb/vrbo for prospective renters.
Bathroom vanity installation
Pedestal sinks come with the problem of not being able to lay items on a flat surface. We installed a new vanity with enough counter space to put toothbrushes and other toiletries. This vanity also has plenty of drawer space.
Airbnb and Vrbo
We first listed the downstairs bedroom on Airbnb and Vrbo before we listed the entire home as a rental on those platforms. To attract more customers to something unique we named the listing “The French Cottage.” The bedroom was listed for around six months before we were ready to list the entire home.
A popular listing as a short term rental
Our listing had many good reviews from guests. This prompted many other customers to book with us. People loved the location of our home as it was a convenient spot to downtown. The experience taught us skills of entrepreneurship and customer service.
