When we bought this house (4 story A-frame) we converted the first floor into a 1200 square foot two-bedroom apartment. We just didn't need that much space! But we always said that when we get old, we'll take it back and live down there.

Fast forward 17 (!) years and 2 things have happened.

1) Our family has grown! This past family vacation made us realize we have 2 extra spouses, 3 grandchildren, 3 grand-dogs and 2 cats. Total of 11 people here for 10 days with 2 bathrooms...we need more space!

2) We are 17 years older. He's on Medicare and I just had a hip replacement - maybe it's time to be ready for a one-floor place if necessary, instead of 3-stories (I haven't been to the top level for over a year anyway.)

So we notified our downstairs tenant that we would not be renewing come April, but she would get first choice of anything that came available between now and then. And if she found something on her own, she should go for it without penalty. So hopefully she will move sooner rather than later, but at least by April.

We will not only get two more bedrooms, another bath and another great room, but also a full kitchen which will come in very handy during holidays. And if we can manage it, add another bathroom.

Hey the place helped pay off the mortgage but won't miss the cash these days.

Plus we can always AirBnB the space when we are not personally using it. Waterfront apartment should bring in something - enough to keep the lights on anyway.

Good idea. Going up and down stairs 50 times a day at my beach house was good for my heart, but if I was still there I'd probably be on my third knee replacement...

I REALLY like our one story ranch with the attached garage.

But I also liked the beach house set up. I could close off the stairs and rent the downstairs out, while keeping the upstairs for myself. It had a large bar upstairs, which was basically a small second kitchen.

W,

I’m trying to visualize a 4 story A frame...

Ain’t it great your business has grown and is profitable enough you don’t have to worry about rent lost from one unit!

Life is short - do what makes you happy!

Congrats!

BRAD

Most people will sell the perfect multi-level home for a 1 story and end up paying higher taxes and loose on the sales commission. The cost of putting in an elevator isn't that expensive compared to selling, buying and fixing up.

I did a crazy thing for a 70 year old client with a broken leg. Her house had the bedroom on the second and third floors. She would crawl up the step to go to bed, taking 20 minutes. So I came over with sheet of plywood and covered the floor, making a path for my 1000 pound Contractors Man-lift. Then I removed the plywood. She would enter the man-lift, close the cage and go up to the 2nd or 3rd floors. I cut open her railing, put it on hinges. Her million dollar house had an ugly man-lift, but she could go to which ever floor she wanted in less than 1 minute.

I did the same for my father when he broke his hip.