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I've Got Windows.... and Walls Too!!!

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services 607851

Bob Timm Oak Park Realty Minot North Dakota Real Estate

I've Got Windows.... and Walls Too!!!

Most people don't go around bragging that their house has walls and windows but I'm going to. Every step of rebuilding after a disaster seems so painfully slow. Even the smallest step forward seems like a huge victory. The replacing of damaged wall boards, the starting of the wrap around the house, and most of all the addition of windows (all happened yesterday) feels like the first victory in conquering the monster that destroyed our home last June.

There have been many steps in getting to this point. Watching the flood waters recede, removing most everything we owned from the flood ravaged house and placing it on the curb and then removing much of the structure of the home and also placing it out on the curb to be taken to the landfill.

Then there was the "mucking out" which really means removing the mud, the dead creatures that inhabited the river when they were alive, and anything else the river deposited in our home. Next was sanitizing the home so no harmful mold or bacteria would be living in the walls before starting re-construction.

Yesterday was a BIG victory. Now, with the last two mornings starting in the 30 degree range, it's wonderful to see some progress. There is a long way to go: siding, insulation, sheet rock, electricity, heating, plumbing, landscaping, and on and on. We are now hoping to move back in July 2012. We hope the Corp of Engineers doesn't destroy 10,000 homes again next year.

Bob Timm Oak Park Realty Minot North Dakota Real Estate

Bob Timm Oak Park Realty Minot North Dakota Real Estate

Bob Timm Oak Park Realty Minot North Dakota Real Estate

Bob Timm Oak Park Realty Minot North Dakota Real Estate

Bob Timm Oak Park Realty Minot North Dakota Real Estate

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Comments (13)

Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Tim - see your whole home gutted really makes it real what you and your family have gone through. So sorry you've all had to endure such a hardship and I hope that soon your home will be as good a new. Still in my daily prayers!

Sep 14, 2011 03:47 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Kristine, I can't wait until I get to the point where I can ask you to fly out here (my expense of course) and help me decorate the place.

Sep 14, 2011 04:31 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Bob, I am still shaking my head over the disaster that could have been redirected. I hope if the decision needs to be made again, the Corp of Engineers makes a different one!

Sep 14, 2011 07:03 AM
Denise Roberts
New Colony Properties, LLC - Pinehurst, NC
e-PRO, REALTOR - Specializing in Pinehurst, NC Area

Bob - It is very sad what you and your family are having to deal with right now....so sorry!  On a good note, looks like you are definitely making good progress on the house!!! 

Sep 14, 2011 08:42 AM
Rose King
David Tracy Real Estate - Friendswood, TX
Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area

I'm so happy to see that you are making progress on your house! Hopefully it won't be long before you and your family are back home!

Sep 14, 2011 04:55 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Kathleen, no form of government (City, County, State, or Federal) has offered up any information at all as to what if anything will be done to safeguard against the same thing happening again next year. It's very frustrating for those of us who have suffered such heavy losses.

Denise, we are making progress and it certainly feels good but as my comment above to Kathleen there is also that feeling of doom that it may be for nothing as it may happen again next year.

Rose, we are being very cautious so even if the house is ready to move into soon we will not be making that move until next July.

Sep 15, 2011 01:42 AM
Laura Sargent
Carolina One Real Estate - Mount Pleasant, SC

What a journey that has got to be really heavy!  This is a journal no one wants to make and be able to share.  Forward movement and God Speed to a victory!

Sep 16, 2011 09:51 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Laura, I'd say that nothing has tested my faith like this event BUT the truth is this is just one thing thrown on to a pile that started about 9 months ago. The hardest test of my faith was started then (about 9 months ago) with the betrayal of a friend I love and have trusted for many years.

Sep 17, 2011 01:07 AM
Hugh Krone
Weichert Referral Associates - Hamburg, NJ
Realtor, Sussex County NJ

Stay strong in the Lord my brother. I know its not very close but I am in the running for a pastors position in Jamestown. Maybe we'll get to meet someday.

Sep 19, 2011 01:46 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Hugh, In a rural State like ND if your destination is less then 1/2 the State away we consider that as "close". I am looking forward to dropping in to see you in Jamestown.

Sep 19, 2011 01:53 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HI BOB!  Can I tag along with Kristine?  I am not a decorator but I sure can make a mean cup of coffee and I am good labor!  Glad to see things are coming along - windows and walls are huge!

Sep 20, 2011 10:31 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Gabrielle, coffee sounds good and I can always use the help. I'm really eager for the electricity to be turned back on. You would not believe the hoops we all have to jump through to get electricity back in our homes. Virtually ALL pre-flood wiring, from the power pole on down, needs to be removed and replaced with new. Home owners are NOT being allowed to do their own wiring and all wiring done by the pro's still needs to be inspected. Now get this... there is ONE electrical inspector in the county!

Sep 20, 2011 11:03 AM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Bob - I am speechless AGAIN!  Words can not describe what you are going through, but the pictures help us to realize a little of what you have gone through and will continue to go through for a long time to come.  Thanks for sharing with your friends here in ActiveRain.  You know you are loved! 

Sep 22, 2011 02:46 AM