Restoring 498 Orcas Street

Window shopping

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

While we work through the permitting process, we are ‘window shopping.’ Not shopping by looking in a window, but shopping for windows!

There are design decisions to be made regarding stucco/exterior, plumbing, electrical, and interior design, and especially– windows!

The windows make or break this house by giving you front row access to the incredible 300 ft elevation panoramic view.

Getting them right is key!

Submittal

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plans were submitted! Glory to God!

We did lots more demo. It’s amazing how stuff “grows” when you pull it out of its hiding place.

We are grateful for our architect Neil and Brian, our engineer Chris Murphy and his team for some truly awe-inspiring plans.

They have gone to the city for initial review and comments which means that we are mere weeks away from truly breaking ground.

The anticipation is killing me.

In other news, I’m wrapping up my spring projects so as to be more available for the summer and hitting things head on.

Our target conclusion date for the rehab has not changed on the backstop, which just means that the pressure to perform goes up with each passing day. Good thing we like pressure!

Permitting

Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plans were finished this week.

Being submitted in a week now.

We focused on building relationships with local realtors, and meeting lots of neighbors.

We got good news from the structural engineers about the types of materials and labor needed – they were within our predictions.

Once plans are submitting, it becomes a preparation game while we wait for the city to review and greenlight our major program.

Preparation progress

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Demolition!

We’re submitting plans to the city NEXT WEEK. That means the clock is running to get prepped.

My brother and I did some serious damage – in a good way!

We cleaned out quite a bit of extra stuff, shelving, carpet, and the mobility chair that was bolted in to the stairways. That created a lot of square footage!

We have plenty more to do, but we got security cameras installed and met with a stucco professional. Can’t wait to get started on the structural work to close up the house. That way, we can get rid of all this ugly scaffolding – Which I’m grateful to have at the moment because it’s easy to get around, but eventually would like to clear up!

More to come next week!

Local vibes

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week was more about Demo.

We’re restoring the home by preserving its modern artistic charm.

This is a one-of-a-kind custom home. There is nothing like it, here or anywhere.

The original builder and his wife loved trapezoids, triangles, rhomboids, and fun creative angles.

We are planning to submit architectural plans in a week or two.

After moving junk out, my brother and I are headed to the Embarcadero. There’s a special kind of magic right around golden hour.

The fishing boats are tying up for the evening, the fog is rolling back just enough to let the sun hit Morro Rock, and the smell of fresh clam chowder is drifting down the waterfront.

Morro Bay’s culinary scene punches way above its weight class!

This is a working fishing village, don’t forget.

So the seafood on your plate was likely swimming in the Pacific just hours earlier. You can go to Tognazzini’s Dockside or the the Galley Seafood Grill for real sea food, fish and chips, and more.

But it’s not just about the seafood. There’s wine in Paso Robles and Ednay Valley to the south.

It’s coastal living at its most delicious.

For staying on dry land, there’s hikes, panoramic views, and of course the beach!

For those looking to trade the concrete jungle for a coastal sanctuary, this is where you want to drop anchor.

Clearing out -- and special guest

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Guess who I got to meet today? Marvin, the original owner and builder of this beautiful house!

What a gem!

We finished up the poly wrap removal. Oh the wrap! It was quite a process. Many neighbors stopped by to thank us.

One neighbor called it a ‘ghost ship’. It flapped in the breeze like the sails of a pirate ship in a storm.

Hilarious!

In this post, I’d like to reflect on Morro Bay’s nature sanctuary.

Why is Morro Bay the Central Coast’s Best-Kept Secret for Outdoor Lovers?

A lot of CA beaches are crowded. But the central coast is tucked away and hidden from the bustle.

Guarded by the iconic Morro Rock (often called the “Gibraltar of the Pacific”), this town is an playground for the outdoors.

Unlike the choppy open ocean, the Morro Bay State Park estuary provides miles of calm, protected waters.

On any given Tuesday, you can grab a paddleboard or kayak and glide right past sea otters wrapping themselves in kelp, harbor seals basking in the sun, and great blue herons hunting in the shallows.

If staying on dry land is your speed, the hiking trails at Black Hill offer sweeping panoramic views of the bay, the sandspit, and the Pacific.

Morro Bay isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a place to actually breathe. For those looking to trade the concrete jungle for a coastal sanctuary, this is where you want to drop anchor.

Closing!

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

WE DID IT!

Close of Escrow is today.

We are grateful for the many hands who have already contributed.

Today we scheduled internet at the property: Starlink (nice!)

We also scheduled to remove the remaining Poly wrap, begin prep, and set up security cameras and new keys/codes on the door.

We’re going to canvas the neighborhood to let everyone know about this website to track our journey, stay tuned for tours, or let friends know when the house is available for purchase.

Finish Line

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

After quite a roller coaster, we have finalized financing and insurance (“builders risk”). We’re moving toward legal and underwriting analyses.

We released the architectural engineer to begin finalizing the plans he originally sketched out more than a year ago!

We also hired the structural engineer who will submit plans to the city.

Everything is coming together! Just need to schedule signing, clear all the underwriting hurdles, and head into the rehab phase!

One finish line down, massive new finish line to go!

Appraiser is stoked

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We had the property inspected by an appraiser with deep experience in building and evaluating in this town. He couldn’t say enough about the project. He was excited for us.

The square footage in Morro Bay remains relatively high.

But “Beach bungalow” vs “coastal chateau” depends on two main factors: renovations and vista.

1) Is it fixed up and modernized?

And…

2) Can you see the Rock?

In our case, we will have both: total interior and exterior renovation and restoration PLUS the best view in Morro Bay. Nice.

I’ll list comps as we get closer to the target but we’ll see what happens near us (higher elevation) and closer to the beach (less elevation) over the next few months.

The final tally? 1.45m estimate after repair value. This is a great target to hit for the right buyer who really wants to own this house!

Chasing a dream -- making the offer

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This is it!

It’s about time to get this train moving out of the station.

The Orca St project is moving toward a successful close of escrow. Nothing is guaranteed but we are optimistic.

In and Out of Escrow

This property didn’t look easy… it was intimidating.

Soon it will be love at first sight. But for now it was a shocker.

And yet – wow what a view. Every angle – from the loft, the living room, the kitchen – took our breath away.

Panorama Drive only has 20 homes. This is the highest, most unobscured on the street.

This is the best view in Morro Bay.

The house is a very cool, modern architectural design. It’s currently in disrepair but this visualizer gives us a sneak peak:

Visualization

With vision in mind, we offered a lower amount and lost the bid. Just as we predicted, the higher offer backed out. This is an extremely intimidating project, so we were there with a backup.

Our second offer was accepted. Now the real work began!

Contracting

The rehab budget is the biggest rock to put in first. And the south wall is the biggest part of the rehab budget.

The structural soundness of any single family comes first.

Thankfully, the original builders put this home on a gigantic commercial footing foundation, sufficient for a building three times this size.

But the wall was failing.