It's time for an update that many of you have been wondering about.
We're getting much closer to a new home to replace the one above!
We had planned to do this in 2019/2020, but as we all know, the world had other things in store as we were forced to weather both unemployment and a pandemic.
We've looked at manufactured homes, log cabins, even a steel barndominium. The contractor decision we gave up on when we had such difficulties finding someone both reputable AND willing to come to a rural location, not to mention it was going to cost almost as much to remodel and do an addition as it would be for new construction. Also had a bit of homophobia added to the mix and that was disappointing as well.
We went to look at some log cabins last Winter, but they aren't really our style. Then last Spring, we visited some manufactured homes and they are nice but SO expensive now, almost as much as building new. The barndominium route was promising (even went to a Home & Garden show that featured them) but then we found out banks don't like to do loans for those and there were too many moving parts with subcontractors that it would be risky at best.
We ultimately decided our best path forward was indeed to build new. This will give us the chance to have input into designing OUR dream home and after all these years of waiting, why not get EXACTLY what we want?
Flash forward to early last Fall. We had a new home builder that we liked, visited the models and office (about 65 miles from downtown) and picked a floorpan we loved. The general foreman/salesmen spent almost three hours with us answering all our questions and even took us to lunch. It was a great fit.
We met him out there at the property and walked around with him on 12/3. We were hoping to have a good announcement about that meeting at the first of the year. In fact, I even had a post ready to go. Check your calendar...12/3...the Sunday (five days) before my near fatal heart attack.
Sigh...
2nd Man reached out to him to let him know what happened and he was super nice and very concerned, even called to check on me. He told us to just reach out when we were ready and so we did. In late January. And he was no longer with the company.
Sigh...
He went to another builder, we tracked him down and checked out the new company, but alas, it was not our style of home (very modern designs and VERY high end). Honestly, we were also a little disappointed that his prior company didn't bother to followup with us as probable customers. I mean, we were almost ready to sign papers, we were that far into the process.
Sigh...
But, never ones to give up, we have found another builder! We went out there the past weekend and had an amazing experience. We found a floor plan that is perfect and we've spent the last few days modifying it to make it perfect. We are almost ready to make our final decision and pull the trigger.
Things can be frustrating at time but a person just has to have patience and in the end, things will fall into place. Like a roller coaster; having ups and downs.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the both the very best of luck; taking one day at a time. Wishing you more up's than downs.
1st. Man; praying for you that you receive a good.......make that a fantastic report from your Dr. next month.
Enjoy your day and have a wonderful evening.
Hello! Yes, roller coaster for sure. Albeit in retrospect we should have started in maybe 2018 but, as we all know, no one has a crystal ball and who could foresee what would happen. Thank you again and yep, stay tuned for a health update too!
Deletehome building and alterations are so frustrating anymore. i am so glad you found someone you can work with. i hope everything goes well with your tests and then full speed ahead! joyce
ReplyDeleteHey there!!! Yep, I know you understand, you've been through it too. Yes, one more appointment away from starting a new adventure, ha.
DeleteIt is so tough to find good contractors in our area. We have a small handful of gems and we treat them like royalty. I would hate to have to build a complete house these days. We are used to $100 per square foot, but the cost has increased to at least $200 a square foot. If we had to build again I would go with prefab.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is not easy and being rural narrows is exponentially. My boss has some here (in Houston) that he has used for years and it's like you said, he treats them like royalty. We're coming at less than $200 but yes, more than $100, sigh. But we're excited about what will be happening. Fingers crossed!
DeleteWhat a saga you have had. You will persevere and have a new house eventually.
ReplyDeleteYep, this is as close as we've been and we're really only waiting for this last hurdle. Stand by!!
DeleteIf it's not one thing it's something else but you will get there eventually
ReplyDeleteRight? But we're on the right path now! :-)
DeleteOh my gosh you have had to be patient. I hope you are able to show us the plans when they are finalized.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we'll have plans and share all sorts of things. We're back and forth between three plans, two for sure, one maybe, and one of the two is our favorite. So we'll see!!
DeleteI am, as well as everyone else, looking forward to seeing your new home!
ReplyDeleteIt's coming, this is the year for sure. We have to do it, just have to get some good clearance from the doctor. If my inside is as good as I feel, I'll be good!
DeleteI had given up all hope on the subject - hence no comment. I should have sent you my commiserations following your heart attack, but just felt out of it. Looking forward with hope to the next stage. Roderick
ReplyDeleteLOL, we wondered where you have been. I did wonder after all the well wishes if you had just left completely. Glad to know at least you were reading and keeping up. I was a few hours away from dying and that really changes your outlook on what is important in life. First I discovered just living and being here is the most important thing, none of the other "stuff" matters. We were literally a few weeks away from starting the process when it happened. But "heart willing", we're now only a few weeks away from pulling the trigger and then all sorts of drama will happen, ha. Have to pack up the house with what we are keeping, find a way to get rid of the house, they have to come do surveys, site inspection, etc. Fun times! Ha. Come back and visit!! You are always welcome!!!
DeleteI didn't know all this was in the works before the heart attack. I have high hopes that everything will go smoothly so you'll be able to proceed. We once built a house. It took a long time because the builder was slow and always delaying but it ended up being a beautiful house that I still miss.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It must be frustrating to have so much happen when you are so ready. Too bad about the homophobia. At least they showed you who they were before anything official was signed. Are you going to keep the old house since it can be useful? Is there an orangerie involved?
ReplyDeleteYes, we were actually very focused last year, and actually part of the year before, as the pandemic got a little more under control and as I mentioned, we were at manufactured home dealers, log cabin builders up near Dallas, portable cabins up near Huntsville, we were all over. And yep, the homophobia, I didn't really want to blast on here about it, but it was one of the guys who ghosted us and then I found some comments on his FB page. We probably got lucky there, cause you. never know how good a job they would do.
DeleteAnd orangerie! I knew you would ask about that, ha. And while there isn't one connected TO the house, there is one floorplan that has a spot behind the house/garage that 2nd Man said would be a great place to keep the truck but I thought of a greenhouse spot (orangerie). Regardless, one is definitely on our short term list to get one somewhere. The whole point of being out there full time means we need a place to protect sensitive plants in the freeze and we could be there to put them in and keep them overwinter. Stay tuned!
I really don't understand homophobia. They could have taken many shortcuts to screw you. You might not ever know it until your house blew down years from now. I look at character, not who you love!
DeleteWe were looking for someone to do something one time, and went to a home show. We asked questions and talked back and forth and the contractor realized we were a couple and said he did not want to work with us at all. We felt we had dodged a bullet, in finding out before we made any start with him. Ya never know about people!!!
DeleteThank you Linda! Yes, we agree. And wow, Beachdaddy, we feel ya, that's still a thing and I don't get it. Our money is green but hey, we'll go with someone who respects us. And yep, a great point that you never know how crappy of a job they could have done because they didn't like us.
DeletePerseverance pays off. Hopefully, the build can begin soon!
ReplyDeleteyou are very kind, thanks!!! Fingers crossed!!
DeleteI am so happy to hear this news! Wishing you nothing but a stress free build!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!! Stress free, hopefully!!
DeleteIt’s been a long road of delays and disappointments. But you’re now on the way to your dream home. I’m so excited for you!
ReplyDeleteIt has been but we're definitely on our way. Just a couple more weeks and we might be signing on the dotted line, ha.
DeleteSo sad that in this day and age people are still so judgemental. All of this disappointment, calamity and waiting hopefully will mean you will end up with the most perfect place imaginable.
ReplyDelete