Ben smiled at the man. “Just one but first I need to upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms and swap out some of the built-in bookshelves in an office for wardrobes. That’s in Tina’s old place. The new tenants are getting married and will be moving in by the end of next month. I’m in the process of buying Joanne White’s house, number 9. I’m going to do an upgrade on its kitchen and bathrooms as well. I’ve also been asked by Luis Hernandez who lives at 3 Ashburn Court to upgrade his kitchen.
Dominic looked a little awkward. “Are there any homes for sale in this neighborhood you don’t intend on snapping up?”
Ben looked at the man in surprise. “Are you interested in buying a place in the neighborhood?”
The big man squirmed a little. “Well, I showed my wife some pictures of the homes in the neighborhood and what we’ve done to this place and she’s been after me to do a major remodeling on our place to add more rooms for when the kids come over to visit with all the grandkids. Our place doesn’t have the structure to support additions so I’d have to level it and start from scratch. I’d never get the money back out of the property. Additionally, when I get home I’m done with work and I don’t want to have to work on my own place.”
“Joanne White’s place has five bedrooms, a huge family room, a big room in the basement that would make a nice playroom, and a nice big backyard for the kids to play in. You’d have very little to do to bring it up to the standard I’ve been upgrading them to. I’d gladly let you take it off my hands for what I’m paying to get you into the neighborhood! It would be great to have you as a neighbor!” Ben exclaimed.
Dominic smiled. “How much are you paying for it?”
“1. 15 million.”
Dominic winced. “That’s a little too rich for my wallet.”
“With the sale of your place how much were you thinking of being able to pay?”
The man frowned and did some mental calculations. “I could probably go as high as $800, 000.”
Ben nodded and did some mental calculations of his own. “How much is outstanding on this renovation? If you reworked the quote to do the job for cost after salaries and expenses how much could you reduce the bill? If you did the renovations on Tina’s house and Luis’ kitchen at cost as well. Adding these figures to the $800, 000 where would you be?”
“I could call in a few favors from the people I rented equipment from to get discounted rates. Then I’d sit down with my bookkeeper, who’s also my wife, and have her rework the numbers but I’m thinking it would only add another $150, 000 at most.”
“That brings you to $200, 000 outstanding. We could work out a mutually agreeable payment plan for the rest. $40, 000 per year for 5 years or $20, 000 per year for 10 years. I’m not looking to make a profit on these homes. I want them going to good people to bring families to the neighborhood. Listen, talk it over with your wife and let me know. You can see pictures of the property online. Both of you take a look. I did an inspection before I bid on it. I know the home is a solidly built structure. Very good bones.” He smiled at Dominic’s thoughtful expression.
Hector walked past and Dominic called out to him.
“How many of the crew are available for some extra shifts once we finish this place?” he asked the site foreman.
“Me and I can think of at least six others, including Jayden,” Hector replied.
“Ben needs the kitchens gutted and redone on…” Dominic looked at Ben.
“At 3 and 11 Ashburn Court.” Ben looked at Dominic. “Potentially on 9 as well. I also need the washrooms redone like these washrooms in 11 and potentially 9.”
“What’s with the ‘potentially’?” Hector asked.
Dominic’s expression turned gruff. “Because I may be buying 9 Ashburn Court from Ben. Include it in the homes. One way or another the house will be getting upgrades in the kitchen and washrooms.”
“Cool. Well I’ll ask around but you have seven guys definitely. When do we start on the new projects?” Hector asked.
“As soon as you are available,” Ben said.
“That could be next week. The painters will be here next week and we will be done,” he said.
“Then 11 Ashburn would be the first one to work on. I have people moving in on or after November 23rd,” Ben explained. “Then the kitchen in 3 Ashburn. Then the kitchen and washrooms in 9 Ashburn.”
“Got it. Thanks!” Hector nodded to Ben and his boss as he headed back to his team.
Ben nodded to Dominic and headed home.
His home smelled of cookies and that gave him a warm feeling. He took his coat and boots off and made his way into the kitchen. Tina was where he’d left her but her spreadsheet was much fuller than it had been before. He smiled at her and moved the cookies to a plate and put plastic wrap over them. He took it downstairs and left it on the coffee table in the media room for his guests.
He went back upstairs and poked Tina. “Did you want me to start dinner?”
Tina blinked up at him. “Lucy is bringing home dinner tonight. Did I not mention it this morning at breakfast?”
Ben was drawing a blank but he’d been a little preoccupied when he’d gotten in. The twins had been… intensely sensual with their goodbye kisses. “Sorry, I must not have been paying attention. What is she getting?”
“A new Middle Eastern takeout place opened up near the college. She is getting a large order of many dishes as we’ve invited Catherine, Miriam, Daniel, and Ashley and her children. Trish can’t make it as she’s going out with her son to a movie and Rochelle is working. I called Beth and she and her kids are coming but Hannah said that she’d be over at 8 for your Group session with her and Beth.”
“Maybe I should bring up the extra leaf for the table and some extra chairs?”
“Oh! Yes! That would be a good idea,” Tina said, feeling a little flustered for not thinking of it. Ben gave her a quick kiss on the temple.
He moved off to get the two extenders for the table and once he’d installed them he went back downstairs to get eight card table chairs. He set them up around the table and they now had seating for sixteen. The table extended out into the living room a bit but that was ok.
He suddenly realized there were going to be six kids in their mid-teens coming over. He brought a card table upstairs and set it up against the far wall in the living room. Then he went down into the media room and disconnected the large flat panel TV. He lugged it upstairs and set it up on the card table. He plugged it in, turned it on and connected it to his home network. They could now connect to the online movie streaming plan he had.
If Daniel brought over his game console they could play games too. He sent Daniel a quick text suggesting that he bring it if possible with a selection of games that could be played as a group.
He moved some of the sofas and chairs to arrange the seating for maximum viewing angles. While he worked on that he got an affirmative response from Daniel.
He knew Karen and Penny had homework so that would keep them occupied. Christopher and Joshua liked to play together but would need to go to sleep early.
Ben was thinking of inviting Catherine and Ashley to join the group therapy session. He knew Catherine was still sad about Chanel and maybe Ashley would get something from being able to connect with her neighbors.
He quickly went to the convenience store and picked up a selection of soft drinks, pretzels, and potato chips. When he got home he saw Tina looking like she was about to cry.
“What? Where’s this coming from?” he asked gently.
“I- I should have thought of these things. I am sorry Ben to make you do all this running around.”
He scooped her up in his arms and held her close. “Tina, don’t be silly. I don’t mind doing this! It will be nice to have a get together.”
“I think I have baby brain!” she pouted.
“Baby brain?” he asked, his eyebrows raised in question.
“My body is using all its resources to make our baby so it steals some intelligence,” she said sadly.
Kissing her temple Ben held her a little tighter. “You’re still a brilliant woman. I wouldn’t put too much thought into this. Seriously.” He glanced at the clock. “I have to go pick up Christopher. How is it going with that list for the new place?”
She brightened up as he put her back on her chair. “Very well! I believe this will be an epic shopping trip! I have never had to outfit a home from scratch! James’ mother took care of our house.”
Ben grinned at Tina’s excitement. He’d have to make sure he went to the bank to arrange for an account access card for her first thing tomorrow.
He made his way over to the daycare and Lisa was signing out a pretty little girl to her father who was doing his best to flirt with the gorgeous redhead.
Ben caught Lisa’s eye and smiled. Her face lit up when she saw him and the man looked over his shoulder.