And the question is.....? Update

After visiting our friends last night and discussing the possibility of us renting their old house.....hubby and I have both slept on the information and we both can see the writing on the wall...

The conditions / stipulations on renting this property....

1. They maintain rights to use the pool.
2. Tree service equipment, trucks, trailers, etc... will continue to be parked on the property.

What this means...

1. We could expect to see them in the pool whenever they decide and possibly with others, such as the kids (all older and grown) and grandkids...whenever the notion hits.
2. With the equipment being parked in the yard...the crew will be in and out at least twice a day getting stuff for the job and coming in after the day is done.
3. The crew is usually 'day labor' type workers who have had and some continue to have issues with drugs and alcohol...not the cream of the crop here. The friend tries to help out those who are down on their luck and trying to earn their own way...he's been burned so many times by these people and yet, he continues to offer work for those willing to show up. Things have been stolen from his home, his equipment has been stolen and sold all because he's trying to be a good person. But, to continue, we have a considerable amount of cash invested in hubby's tools and other equipment. Having the crew in and out would be a real issue should anything go missing. I know what a ballistic, red-neck, screaming, insane, bitch I become when stuff goes missing...I'd hate to ruin a friendship.

So, after careful consideration, much discussion and mulling over... we both have agreed that we see these things as very possible MAJOR issues that would ruin our friendship. With this in mind, we've agreed that even though its a house and has a pool...it isn't worth the known aggravation and loss of friends. For now, we will remain where we are and take care of the things that need fixed...the landlord takes it off the rent, so he will be charged hubby's same rate as when he is at the shop...plus materials. Since I already know the caliber of people he hires for repair work, he can pay my husband and we will take the full amount off the rent...no real money out of his pocket then and I don't have to worry about questionable people being in my home half-ass fixing things, because they aren't qualified to do the work in the first place. At least my husband and I have experience in doing re-modeling work and knowing how my husband feels about making things tight and right, I'll take his work any day.