I can do most every job in Real Estate

But the one I dislike the most is painting. I had to paint the trim and touchup spots yesterday for a house I own and am selling. It reminded me of the first time I really did lots of painting, our fraternity house. The summer time before school started, for 2 weeks, we lived and worked on the house. It was hot, sweaty and not a fun time.

Fast forward to our house in Atlanta, we, I was married at this time with my wonderful wife Liz, thought that it would be a great idea to ask our friends and family to help us paint, in exchange for Pizza and camaraderie, we forgot to schedule painting for the winter or spring, instead doing it at the height of summer. I don't think I walked straight for a week after that experience. Also, our family relations were a bit strained afterward.

Don't get me wrong, painting is important to a house, it shows character and in many cases can protect the walls and structure against the ills of water, heat, and cold. Now that we have a stucco house here in Jacksonville, FL, we have had to paint the exterior twice. Sure it would nice to have a ceder shake shingle or brick house that does not need painting, but there would always be interior rooms and so I try and outsource as much of this as possible. I am not a clean painter, my wife calls me a messy painter.

So on my properties, I practice, practice, practice, I take my time not to rush through, use drop cloths, and make sure that I stop in between each task item. I need to stay positive and make sure that I have the energy to complete the work, so I am positive that this old dog has learned some new tricks. Perhaps proof positive that the more you do something, the better you get at doing it.

Jack