For some rehabbers, the dirt has to be removed before the plan can be made.  The space has to be felt.  The home has to talk to the owner.  

For other rehabbers, the record of baby steps is important so they don't lose their vision.  Progress can seem very slow. 

In the house from the previous post, the property is condemned and requires a code compliance inspection from the city. The expected list of required repairs includes:

• Upgrade electrical service from 60 amp fuses to 100 amp circuit breakers which includes a new mast and box
  
• Install GFCI outlets within 6 feet of a water source
• Install grounded outlets as needed
• Add outlets to meet today's code requirements
• Clear the sewer line to the street
• Upgrade plumbing to today's code which will include larger water pipes (1/4" supplies the kitchen sink), new traps, new faucets, replacement of any leaking pipes, and a new water meter (the old one froze)
• New water heater
• New furnace and possible duct replacement because of rust in the runs
• New windows
• New entry doors
• New deadbolt locks as the old one do not have a thumb latch, but are double keyed
• New lavatory sink (old one is cracked)
• New kitchen sink and faucet (old one is permanently stained and gross)
• New kitchen and lavatory faucets
• New 1.5-2 gallon flush toilet as the temporary one is a 5 gallon flush
• Possibly a new tub
• Scrape and paint the outside
• Rake and maintain the outside lawn
• New tub surround and walls in bathroom
• New stove
• New kitchen countertop (old one is linoleum)
• New kitchen flooring
• Finish the wood floors or replace the carpet
• Remove kitchen wallpaper and finish the walls (if they are not done before the code compliance)
• Replace the laundry tub and faucet

Removal of the debris was necessary for the city to come through for their code compliance inspection.  Nothing has been done in the house yet that requires a permit with the exception of replacing the toilet.  Since the toilet will have to be removed to replace the bath flooring and walls, it will be covered by permit at that time.  The preparation seen in the pictures below help the city to more clearly see what needs to be done without coming back a second time.   Besides which, the pictures help the rehabber to see that progress truly is being made.

Cleaned and primed bedroom walls.

 Clean but stained kitchen sink.  A bottle of commercial liquid soap stained the left sink bowl as it sat for years.  The sink will be replaced.

What a difference some elbow grease and cleaning product can make.

 Tub may be salvaged if the interior cleans as well as the exterior.  The stained flooring will be replaced after code compliance inspection.  The new toilet was necessary for workers to use.

At this stage, others can now see the potential for this little home.  The distraction of dirt and clutter are now gone.  It's soon time for the code compliance inspection.  After that the visionary will get to work!