Gulf Cottage Rental: History & Construction Plans

Well, we’ve done it again…we scooped up another property, the Gulf Breeze Cottage Rental, and we can’t wait to renovate it. Tucked in the heart of Gulf Breeze, Florida, this 2-bedroom 1-bathroom cottage may not look appealing (yet), but it’s located in a great neighborhood.

In fact, its location is so good — just a 20-minute drive to Pensacola or Navarre Beach — that we haven’t decided what to do with it. Should we rent it to a year-round tenant? Or should we try our hand at a short-term rental so that vacationers can enjoy it, too?

In any case, we’re confident that this home will be a rental, and because of that, we’re approaching the renovation very differently than our 1940s Fixer Upper, which we renovated as a family home to sell. Today, I’m walking you through the history of the project, the design, and our renovation goals. Come take a look…

(P.S. What’s the difference between renovating to sell vs. rent? When we renovated the Fixer Upper, we took it down to the studs. It was as good as a new home when we finished, allowing us to put it on the market at a competitive price. Renovating to rent doesn’t require the same level of construction. Sometimes, a facelift is all it needs.)

The Backstory

The house isn’t much to look at, but it has a whole lot of potential. It was built in 1945 and was moved to its current location in the late 1980s. Although we don’t know its exact history, our best guess is that perhaps someone bought the land and did not want this house, so it was moved. The prior owner rented it for a number of years, and the inside reflects that it wasn’t well cared for. 

Project Scope & Challenges

Although this cottage needed some TLC, it wasn’t a total gut job like our 1940s Fixer Upper. Instead, we decided to keep the existing floor plan and walls. Keeping the existing floor plan cuts down on time-consuming structural changes and also conserves cost. The drywall was in decent shape, so we decided to keep that too. 

One major update that we will be making is to shore up the framing in the attic and under the house. We’re also replacing the roof, removing the dry rot decks, building new ones, and replacing the old, faded siding. These are essential updates for keeping the house structurally sound.

Lastly, our biggest change will be converting the front room to a full bathroom. It’s the perfect size for that, with a full shower and ample space for a vanity. Of course, this will require additional plumbing and electrical, which is always an added expense, but it will make this home much more attractive to renters..

Converted Bathroom in Progress

Since the house has a  generous crawl space, adding a full bath hasn't been as challenging as we first thought, because we can run the pipes under the house. And from a design standpoint, the front room is so small that it’s a far better use of space as a bathroom than as an office or storage space. 

We also know that making this house a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home will increase its value and long-term ROI, whether we rent or sell in the future. This is what we love to do — get creative with the space and “get the best bang for our buck,” as Steve says. 

A Nondescript Kitchen’s Potential

As you can see, the kitchen is practically non-existent. Steve is going to work his magic in there and include some of his must-have kitchen features, like a built-in spice rack and tray dividers. Steve is a cabinetry expert and installs all his favorite kitchen cabinet features in all the houses we renovate. It makes a difference.

As the designer, I’m also looking at classic and durable materials for this kitchen. I want it to feel elevated and welcoming. In rental kitchens, we usually like to select durable, waterproof flooring like Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). It’s a long-lasting material, doesn’t scratch or damage easily, and feels high-end. 

For countertops that will last but not break the bank, we’ll select a builder-grade stone. I haven’t made my choices yet, but I am excited to pull together the design plan. It will be timeless, match the style of the home, and definitely with mass appeal to a variety of renters.

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for more updates on this cute cottage! Our goal is to have it ready to rent by early 2023, but we still have significant progress to make. We will be making some eye-catching design choices soon for:

• Kitchen design

• Flooring selections

• Interior paint colors

• Laundry room design

• Lots of landscaping 

We can’t wait to share it with you. In the meantime, do you have a home or rental property you’re looking to renovate? Set up a complimentary Discovery Call with us, and let’s see if we’re the right team for you.

Warmly,
Sarah (& Steve)