How I spent $300K on a shack and keep smiling about it... Part 8

Things have been going pretty smooth at the house. We got the kitchen finished and I was able to get the appliances at a very reasonable prices - I happen to be at the right place (Home Depot) at the right time (their annual sale of last year's appliances). I got a brand new fridge and stove at half price. I also found a stacked washer/dryer at a used appliance center. My house was coming together. I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It's Friday morning and I'm in my office. My phone rings - the contractor tells me that someone broke into the house. My hart sinks. Thank God my boss is very understanding and lets me go to take care of the situation. I get to the house in a record speed. The contractor has already called the police. After the inspection of the house I find that only the washer/dryer unit is missing, but the fridge and stove and everything else is still there. The thieves also stole some of my contractor's tools that he left in the house.

After a few more calls to the police, they finally show up and write the report. From what they tell me - the thieves probably had a "shopping list" and they only needed the washer/dryer unit - probably for another property. There have been a lot of break-ins at the rehab sites around the neighborhood. I'm worried now that the thieves might be back for the rest of the appliances, so I hire someone to stay at the house for a few days, until I get bars on windows and doors. I was right to do so, as the thieves came back that same night.

A few days later the security company installed the alarm system at the house and the welding contractor put the bars on doors and windows. I felt a little better, but knew that the house was at risk until someone moved in.

To Be Continued...