Forsythia Battle

The front yard looks like it hasn't been trimmed since 1986, just like the inside.  The forsythia hedge through the middle of the front yard is 70 yards long, 10 feet high.

According to youtube, the only way to remove forsythia is with a pickup truck and a logging chain.

 Apply some low range 4WD...

The battle for middle earth rages on...

And in addition to forsythia here's the front of the house after a severe pruning of the larger trees (thanks to my new Stihl polesaw from Travis Tractor on South Congress).

"Everywhere you look, you could spend a few thousand"

Before we put the house under contract, we had a local builder come out and give an opinion on what it would take to make it livable.  After a long look around he said "everywhere you look, you could spend a few thousand dollars".  And he wasn't talking about the remodel itself.  So before we could even start thinking about the remodel we had to have Charlie at Texas Septic put on new lids, a new pump, new risers, and new high water alarm for the septic system.

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

The "gated" entry.

Note the surveyor's flag.  That was $ pre-close.   There's a house in there somewhere, plenty of untrimmed trees first.

The backyard goes back to Barton Creek, just below the homes in this pic:

 And here's a little interior flavor.  Everything is 1986 original, including the concrete floors.

We will need a gut remodel - new roof, new exterior, all new windows and doors, and all new interior.  Plus pool repair, new deck, and landscaping.  First task is to decide whether to raze or remodel.  We have several builders out to provide opinions and estimates, a few architects to talk about options, and a couple of decorators for good measure.  Remodeling appears to be cheaper than starting over.  Unfortunately, the cost of the remodel, combined with the purchase price, would yield a final "investment" above what one could recoup for a 3 bed / 2.5 bath 3000 sq foot home.  So that means we may as well add a couple of bedrooms and another bathroom during the remodel while everything is torn apart.  Its only money.  So next step: selecting an architect, designer, and builder.