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Live-In Flip: YouTube Home Tour

September 30, 2019 by Mr. 1500 Days 19 Comments

I never thought that I’d bother with a YouTube channel. Who wants to watch me yammer on? Yikes…

Sooo yeah, this is slightly uncomfortable. I’m not sure if it’s worse for you or me?!?? I apologize in advance…

But, what better way is there to show a home remodel than with video? So, I started a channel: https://www.youtube.com/1500days

YouTube Channel!

The purpose of this YouTube adventure is to document our live-in flip. A live-in flip is where you fix up your primary home. Yes, you’re living in a construction zone. What could possibly go wrong!?!!

But wait, it’s not as bad as it sounds. With careful planning (and in some ways, I’m an example of how NOT to plan), a live-in flip can be very profitable. Remember that you’ll probably get away with paying NO capital gains!

With my new channel, I hope to:

Inspire you: Normal homeownership is an awful way to build wealth. On the other hand, a live-in flip can be an awesome way to get rich. You need a place to live, right? Why not buy the ugliest home in the neighborhood and make it beautiful while you live in it? I built the core of my nest egg with this strategy.

Teach you: Many are intimidated by home improvement projects. I’m here to tell you that YOU can do it. With a little patience, it’s not hard to tile a kitchen, build a shower, or even finish a basement. I’ll show you all of these things.

Entertain you: I’m goofy and awkward. I hope to channel some of my juvenile humor into these videos.

Life is more fun when you don’t care

And I’m in it for myself too. I hope that these videos make me become better on camera. I hope that I become a better speaker. I hope that I get comfortable listening to the sound of my own voice. Ugggh…

YouTube Home Tour

Welcome to video #1! In this video, Mindy and I talk a little bit about the home and I give you a home tour. At 3:15, I tell you why carpet in the bathroom is a very, very bad idea. At least if you have males in the household. Brace yourselves…

And this one was hard. Too many “ummmms” and “sooooos.” Bah. I’ll be better next time. Or maybe not. Whatever.

If you’d like to be the first to see my future YouTube awkwardness, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/1500days

One More Thing…

On a more serious note, some in my family have struggled with depression. And, I have friends that have lost loved ones to the disease. The stories are heartbreaking.

I’m thankful that I’m not one of those who struggle, but just to see the experience of others is tough. I can’t imagine the hell that those afflicted go through.

  • If you struggle: Know that you are loved and that someone deeply cares for you. If you’re really down, call this. Or, send me a note. I promise that I’ll respond and any communication is just between you and me.
  • If you know someone who struggles: Be there for them. It may only take a couple of kind words at the right time to save a life. Or a big hug. If you’re doing OK, consider a monetary donation.

The abyss may be dark and deep, but it won’t be that way forever. There is light, even if it’s harder for you to see it. Know that it can get better.

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Filed Under: Real Estate, YouTube Tagged With: real estate, youtube

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mr. Tako says

    September 30, 2019 at 5:15 am

    Everything you touch seems to turn to gold — You’re a natural in front of the camera Carl! The video had me cracking up the whole way through.

    I can see you becoming a major youtube star! Can’t wait to watch more and learn how to do a live-in-flip! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Really appreciate that message at the end of the post. Cheers!
    Mr. Tako recently posted…Should I Go Public?My Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:04 am

      Thanks Mr. Tako, I really appreciate the kind words of encouragement!

      Reply
  2. Financially Fit Mom says

    September 30, 2019 at 7:13 am

    I’m loving the decorations! I think y’all should really consider keeping those bathroom sinks. You could start a whole new trend. I’m thinking some kind of seal that would allow glitter to float around and you could have a button that swirls it – like a snowglobe in a seashell sink. Consider it is all I’m saying ๐Ÿ™‚

    Looks like a fun project! I’m excited to watch the progress!
    Financially Fit Mom recently posted…Nobody WinsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mindy Jensen says

      September 30, 2019 at 8:11 am

      The 9yo first saw those sinks in another house and said: “Oh look! A Barbie hot tub!”
      Mindy Jensen recently posted…Live-In Flip: YouTube Home TourMy Profile

      Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:03 am

      Haha, I like the way you think. Wait, what color glitter?

      Reply
  3. Deb says

    September 30, 2019 at 7:43 am

    I found your video last night and I was excited to see the “before” video showing the new house as it was when you bought it. I am one of those people who love to see the before and after photos. I am also looking forward to your videos to help me do some of these projects that you are going to be doing. I gotta admit that tiling a floor/wall/back splash is overwhelming to me, so I’m hoping your videos inspire me to take some risks in the home improvement projects area. When do you and the family officially move into the new house? Good Luck and glad to hear that you are renting out the “old” house. Keep the videos and blog posts going!

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:03 am

      Oh wow, tile is a great skill! It’s not difficult and you can make an awful space look great! Also, all of the cost is in the labor, so if you can do it yourself, you’ll save loads of money.

      With your comment in mind, I’ll definitely do a video on tile setting, probably a couple!

      Reply
  4. Adam says

    September 30, 2019 at 8:28 am

    “soooo” is a perfectly legit transitional phrase. Run with it. That video was fantastic!

    Thank you for the note at the end of the post. I lost a high school pal to depression a few months ago. It’s important to make sure folks know that even when the world seems like it’s closing in, there are really SO MANY people in their corner.

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:02 am

      Soooo, I can use soooo every other word? I like the way you think! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Depression hurts bad. Victims on many levels.

      Reply
  5. Marla says

    September 30, 2019 at 10:29 am

    Awesome video and I can totally see the potential in this house. Congrats on your next adventure!

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      September 30, 2019 at 6:53 pm

      Thanks Marla! I hope we can give you a tour in about 4 weeks!

      Reply
  6. Joe says

    October 1, 2019 at 8:40 am

    Nice job! The house looks very 80s. The fireplace remind me of my parent’s old house. I’m thinking about starting a YouTube channel too. Travel and food review. Then I can write off all our travel and restaurants. Maybe…

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 1, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      Super 80s! It was actually built in 79, but close enough.

      I’m finding YouTube to be a lot of fun and a cool, new challenge. The secret is editing. Learn iMovie (Mac) or the comparable PC softare.

      Reply
  7. Cathleen cooks stuff says

    October 2, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    Guess I’m also doing a live in flip. House was built in the 50s and hasn’t been updated since. We’ve gained at least $200k in value in 5 years. At least. But problem is finding somewhere else to live after. All the house prices keep going up, so no way I’d find a place for what we paid. Did you guys stick to the same town? I know you’d been looking at the real estate for some time.

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 3, 2019 at 10:44 am

      Yep, we like Longmont too much to leave. Plus, we wanted our children to go to the same school.

      Reply
  8. Alex says

    October 4, 2019 at 10:42 am

    So excited for you guys! Can’t wait to see how the flip turns out. I recently bought my first property to flip and rent out, got the keys yesterday and I can’t wait to start all the projects to fix it up and hopefully be as good as you guys at doing most of the work myself (have looked at a bunch of books for tiling and kitchen renovations as inspired by you). Congrats!

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 4, 2019 at 10:50 am

      Whoah, virtual high-five! Let me know if you need any advice and good luck!

      Reply
  9. Ryan Schlomer says

    October 4, 2019 at 11:26 am

    Awesome! I thought the video was great and not awkward at all.
    Ryan Schlomer recently posted…SMART GoalsMy Profile

    Reply
  10. wendy says

    October 5, 2019 at 7:20 pm

    Congrats on the new project!
    Carpet in bathrooms is disgusting as you noted…it’s also gross in the kitchen.
    Why start in the basement vs a room that you would use more frequently? Or is the plan to make the remodeled basement a sanctuary to escape all the craziness upstairs?
    You definitely more dinosaurs and drones. Maybe a drone big enough for the dinosaurs to ride on!
    Keep the pool whilst the girls are home/in school…add a hot tub for the adults in winter (as JD about it).
    Remember to pace yourself this time.

    On a more serious note, good to keep recognizing that depression is a serious disease and thanks for promoting help – hopefully the more we destigmatize it, the more people will be able to get the help they need.

    Reply

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Freedom!

My goal was to build a portfolio of $1,000,000 by February of 2017; 1500 days from the birth of this blog (January 1, 2013). And hey look, I’ve since retired!

Investments only (primary home excluded)
1/1/13 (The Start): $586,043
1/1/14 (1 Yr Later): $869,635
1/1/15 (2 Yrs Later): $987,351
1/1/16 (3 Yrs Later): $1,057,961
1/1/17 (4 Yrs Later): $1,257,128
1/1/18 (5 Yrs Later): $1,527,701
1/1/19 (6 Yrs Later): $1,549,440
1/1/20 (7 Yrs Later): $2,035,040*
1/1/21 (8 Yrs Later): $3,379,746**
1/1/22 (9 Yrs Later): $4,762,642
1/1/23 (10 Yrs Later): $3,112,821

2023: Investments only
1/1: $3,112,821

Overall
2023 investment gains: $0
Investment gains since 1/1/2013: $2,526,778
Net worth***: $3,342,821

* The big jump between 2019 and 2020 was partly because we bought another home, but kept the previous (much more expensive) one as a rental. We have since sold it.

** Tesla.

*** Includes our primary home equity in addition to our investment portfolio.

Finally, we still have about $290,000 in mortgage debt (which I love!). No regrets about the debts!

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