Victorian Modernization and more (Pittsburgh, Allentown: for sale, how much, houses)

[tnwebwise]

Hello all,

We are moving there in the next 24 hrs and packing is hell. We have been also working on a little site that we call Steampunk Victoriana after a poll here on the forums. The site is at Steampunk Victoriana Restoration Blog - Blog
and I have developed it so that Blog entries there are linked to a Facebook Fan Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SteampunkVictoriana (for those that have Facebook) and lastly also to my Twitter account at https://twitter.com/tnwebwise

We would love suggestions, critiques and testers of the site to help us out. We want to make a simple site that details the processes we went through, the tips and tricks we ran across, advice areas and more. We can add every thing from live chat to forums and all in between.

We are not art/Design types but good programmers. We're also looking for some help on a logo or something.

Thanks for the time and input - See you all soon.

[Goodjules]

I read everything on my android phone and rarely use my computer. I couldn't get the blog to fit my screen properly. If there's a way you can configure it for smart phones you'd probably increase the views you get.

[groar]

thanks for making the blog, i will definitely be keeping an eye on it!

i think it might be easier to navigate if you did a more conventional blog layout where you can read each post in succession, maybe with a "jump" to shorten very long or picture-heavy posts. clicking to read each entry is kind of annoying. also i only saw one tiny, unenlargeable picture on each post, and i think some of them were meant to have more pictures.

here, for instance: Steampunk Victoriana Restoration - Blog

here's another house blog that i really like, and i think their post format works well: http://www.limingtonfarmhouse.org/

[PineappleMSW]

I love the house - I am also looking in Pittsburgh for a possible eventual move. I love the old Victorian houses, but nothing quite as major of a project as yours. But do want to do a lot of the rehab for myself (not necessarily do it myself). So my question is what part of Pittsburgh are you going to be in and are there other "finds" in the area?

[littlecoonie]

Originally Posted by PineappleMSW

I love the house - I am also looking in Pittsburgh for a possible eventual move. I love the old Victorian houses, but nothing quite as major of a project as yours. But do want to do a lot of the rehab for myself (not necessarily do it myself). So my question is what part of Pittsburgh are you going to be in and are there other "finds" in the area?

Yes, there are in fact, several "finds" in the neighborhood. Some of them are in better condition, others are in same. I didn't really see anything "worse", because.. well.. I think you get the point. TNWebwise and I are going to be in Allentown.

When we did a initial survey of the house to check the overall stability of the foundation, roof, and floors, I did make sure to scout the neighborhood. I saw about.. 3 victorians in the area, and one of which I'm pretty sure is up for sale. It's not a painted lady though.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by PineappleMSW

I love the house - I am also looking in Pittsburgh for a possible eventual move. I love the old Victorian houses, but nothing quite as major of a project as yours. But do want to do a lot of the rehab for myself (not necessarily do it myself). So my question is what part of Pittsburgh are you going to be in and are there other "finds" in the area?

Pittsburgh is full of old homes needing minor to extensive renovation. Check this forum for discussions on various neighborhoods and nearby towns. I am in the process of buying an old house in Crafton just outside Pittsburgh. It needs mostly cosmetic renovation.

[Hopes]

Wow! I just looked at all of the pictures. You've got your work cut out for you. I'll enjoy reading your updates.

I'm amazed at how much architectural detail remains outside. It's going to beautiful after the rotted wood is replaced and the exterior is painted. It's a shame someone gutted the inside of everything. Hopefully there is some trim laying around to use as a pattern to custom your interior trim to match the period.

I suspect your first priority will be to secure the house for safety so nobody can break into it.

[littlecoonie]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Wow! I just looked at all of the pictures. You've got your work cut out for you. I'll enjoy reading your updates.

I'm amazed at how much architectural detail remains outside. It's going to beautiful after the rotted wood is replaced and the exterior is painted. It's a shame someone gutted the inside of everything. Hopefully there is some trim laying around to use as a pattern to custom your interior trim to match the period.

I suspect your first priority will be to secure the house for safety so nobody can break into it.

We've already got THAT covered. >.< Video cameras, security system, etc, etc.. My head is spinning from the amount of stuff we're still packing. We're now 12 hours behind schedule on the move, and I'm ready to bite something. lol

[stburr91]

Great old house, I hope you can save it.

What are your projected renovation costs for this project? Whatever they are, you may need to double that number. LoL.

Good luck.

[SorryIMovedBack]

Okay, days without an update, lol... Are you there yet? Can you get your stuff off the truck, or did the delays cause you to lose your help?