Or lack thereof...
Several of you have asked and we also know others are curious but haven't asked so here is the latest.
We got our financing approved...for a remodel. We were looking into building a new structure and going with a Barndominium...But banks are not too keen on this "weird new construction". It's been hard to find financing for that. We won't bore you with all the financial details but we have to work through equity and property values and existing loan etc.
We have had someone design a plan we like for a barndo and this is similar to what we were leaning toward. The lines, the style, the roof, the large porch (front and back) and (possibly) barn red color.
The problem with a "barndo" is that you have many variables versus a regular built home. One builder does the steel structure/slab. Another does the plumbing. Then another does the interior build out. In this part of Texas, there are no "turnkey" barndo builders. It's a multi part process and anywhere in the process, something can go wrong, making banks hesitant.
A few weeks ago, we were at 2nd Man's brother's reception and met a guy who does remodels and it's his passion to work on old homes. When we told him we were tearing down he said "no, don't do that!". He was interested in perhaps moving the house and saving it. Then we discussed redoing it (back to that, ha). We are getting some plans for that possibility. But this would be one of those that goes to the studs and adds on a lot. The original might become the entire new kitchen and mudroom, ha. Our last remodel we looked at was just redoing parts and upgrading others.
The bank is more keen on us doing a remodel or a regular new construction so we're planning for that. Not sure if we'll go with this new person, we might still be too far outside of Houston for him, but since he does this with these kinds of houses, he will give us a plan for what we need to have done and maybe an idea of cost and even some referrals.
We are now visiting with a few new home builders in the area that might want to do a new build. This is a plan we are interested in. It has a nice porch across the back too and lots of windows. 2nd Man really likes the idea of all new and being able to get the kitchen of his dreams. We'd also get a garage and that's a plus.
In the meantime, other things are happening, just haven't posted about it all, though we have referenced some of it:
We have accumulated about a hundred boxes to pack things up, Bill the truck was loaded up to carry them to the barn and they are there just waiting to be filled. And waiting for cooler weather, we're not emptying a house in 115 degree temps, ha...
We've already had some of the driveway brush and trees cleared to make room for trucks and I'm clearing a bit more (pics on that coming soon)...
We've talked to a storage POD company and they are good to go to deliver one when we are ready so we can start emptying the house (see temp comment above)...
We've got the financing mostly set up, just deciding on remodel or new build...
We've had a surveyor come out (nothing changed from prior survey when we bought it so that was good)...
Here in the next few weeks we are having a well drilling company come out to figure where the best spot is for our own well (hot weather/drought makes them popular)...
So things are happening, albeit slowly. Our original plan for all of this was 2020. We even had it marked on the calendar in 2018 and 2019 as a countdown. But then as we all know, the world had other plans in Jan of 2020. The pandemic, 2nd Man got laid off, I was working from home, and it took a year and a half just to get back to somewhat normal. Then, things were more expensive. Thankfully, those prices are coming back down; two of the builders we looked at have come down over $25k from prices at the beginning of this year and almost $50k lower than this time last year.
Our goal is to sign some paperwork for either of these options, this Fall and for construction, whatever form that takes, to start shortly thereafter.
You know; maybe the county or some organization would be willing to buy your old farm house and have it moved and turned into a museum. After all, it is a historic farmhouse.
ReplyDeleteI like the outside of your house plans you have shown. Looks like a very lovely house.(It's a house until you make it a home)
Thanks for giving us an update on your future home plans.
Have an enjoyable day
Not historic at all, old yes, historic no. It was moved out there from Houston by "Ma" the lady that owned it before us. It was a tear down that she bought for only "moving costs' and had it moved out there. Twice it was moved. Just a mid 1950's frame house that has seen better days, ha. We may have it moved yet and it can gain a new life yet again, we would like that.
DeleteThis is all exciting!! I'm glad you're finally able to get the ball rolling after everything being put on hold. I love both of the models you've shown.
ReplyDeleteThank you, the final image might be a bit different but we are going to meet with the builder soon. Kind of waiting for the heat to be a little less intense so we can go see some they are working on. We're ready to pull the trigger, things will happen fast after that.
DeleteGet a date certain for completion and charge them more for each day not completed by said date. My nephew is being put off several times and they are just having new siding and windows put in.Months and now almost a year.
ReplyDeleteYou will never regret doing it exactly how you want it. Except, I am going to bet it won't be just right even then....you will see you should have done something differently.
So, redoing the old house will be brand new.......what you will see.
Don't be so picky. :)
This is true. We were just getting such HIGH rates for a remodel, not being picky, that was our first choice. But when they quote $250k for a remodel, well, we have to think about that. That's just giving us an estimate on the ideas we wanted to do. They could get down to the studs and go "oh, you have termites" or "oh we found the water main here is not connected there and this wall has to come down". In the end, only two people were willing to come out to a rural property to do a remodel and they were $250k-$275k. They just are keen on coming out to the country being further away from supply places. We're still giving the remodel guy we just met a chance if he wants to give us an estimate.
DeleteForgive the picky comment , but it made you look. :) I also forget cost of living in TX is higher than here S.IN. Have fun whatever you decide. Gemma's Person
DeleteI haven't read long...are you two married?
ReplyDeleteWell hello there and welcome! Yes, we are married, been married since Supreme Court legalized it but have been together since 1999. So next year is 25 years (!)
Deletethis is very exciting! i can't wait to see what you do. i love redoing old houses because the quality is so much better than new.
ReplyDeleteThis old house may not have the usual quality, ha. Sure it's probably a bit better than some but it's just a mid 50's frame house that was put up with a 1000 other in a Houston neighborhood. When it was going to be torn down, the previous owner (that we bought it from) had it moved from Houston out to the property (in fact she moved it twice once out there). It's just settling and having so many issues, needs, new roof, new windows, new subfloor, plumbing. electrical etc. We'll just have to see how it all works out.
DeleteI really like the looks of the red one ... the last picture! Would like to see what it looks like on the inside!!
ReplyDeleteWell, once we have the floorplan finalized, we'll definitely post that. There is no model of this one (if it's the one we go with) but once we decide, will share some other pics of their work.
DeleteCongratulations!! Its a big step you are taking but am sure you will be happy after all your planning!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, we should technically have it already but as we mentioned, the world had other plans, ha. It will be exciting, and we intend to share all the steps, picking colors, appliances, etc. Should be a fun journey.
DeleteAlso... think about, in any plan you think is the final one, have the garage doors facing side or back ... nothing looks more "modern" and unfriendly than one or two huge garage doors facing you as you come up to the front of a house. Since you have the room, please consider making use of it. Again ... Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteGood point. In the second photo, that one does have the garage on the side. Those two windows on the right are in the garage (though do we NEED windows in a garage? ha) and the way the house would sit, you would just see this front when pulling in. Thanks again!
DeleteFinally - how many months ago - I can post comments again after my original and brusque comment about the lack of progress. From what you write, the project seems to be still a good way from being firm. But I am so happy that you are getting there. Roderick
ReplyDeleteRoderick! How come you didn't post all this time? Did you think we were mad? It's all good. People ask questions, we answer, life gets int he way sometimes and plans get delayed. We totally understand. Don't ever feel unwelcome. We could call the bank tomorrow and say do it and have the loan (barring interest rate increase, ha), they are ready for a construction loan we just have to talk over with this builder and make sure we're all on the same page. Then things would really start happening. One thing for sure is no packing up the house in this heat. We thought about getting a couple of small window units but those won't make it all cold. A friend said "just hire some people" and we're like "if WE aren't willing to do it, why would we ask someone else to?" ha. So when it gets cool we'll start packing it all up and then once they tear down/move it, things should move along. We'll have posts all along the way. My mowing/watering is going to be interesting while there is no house there, ha. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come! :-)
DeleteWow, this is exciting news! I love your plans. So happy for y’all!
ReplyDeleteIf you go with a new build, I think the old farmhouse could be moved to an out of the way area. It would make a perfect canning place (keeps the main house from heating up). Garden vegetable and fruit processing place. Crafting area. Guest room. Etc.
We have thought about that but there is no area that it would fit in that isn't cleared. It won't fit anywhere around where it is now. Then there is the no electricity on the other/front side of the property so we'd have to have poles run and then the well (when it is dug) will have to branch off a few acres to the house. So in other words, we probaby, as much as we'd like, can't make that happen. We shall see.
DeleteI do like the idea of using the house as Texas Rose suggested. That is exciting. The one thing I don't understand is where the elevated porch went, I liked that. Flat to the ground is not what you have now, so any addition or renovation would have the elevated porch, right? So, where is the orangerie? You do know I am being a total pest about this all in fun?
ReplyDeleteSee our reply above. we'd love to but not sure it will work. The elevated porch, yeah, we're going to work on that with the plans. it will be on a slab instead of pier and beam. So that makes the porch lower. But we're looking into a higher than normal slab so it might still bit a bit higher than they way that picture shows. Remember that's just a computer image they give to show. We're going to see some in person and see how they look. If we remodel, then yes it would stay elevated as it is, though the last remodeler guy said it was a bit higher than usual and he didn't think they were that safe to work under. Who knows. :-)
DeleteAnd yes, 100% we understand, you and that darn orangerie, LOL! I think we just like saying "orangerie" ha. We "might" get a screened porch room, and if so, I want a greenhouse, that would be our tradeoff (he wants a screened porch).
And yes,
I do like the looks of the red house and having a garage. With a new house comes a designed kitchen, and all new wiring and plumbing. Tearing the old house to the studs is the way to go if you decide to just remodel and add on, but you still have an old house. Take your time and look at all avenues.
ReplyDeleteThe odds are leanign toward the new build. Unless this new remodel guy has a great deal and great ideas. but for the appliances 2nd Man wants, cooking, fridge freezers maybe even a dry aging cabinet, we'll need brand new electrical and plumbing etc. So we're doing our research. That's half the fun, ha!
DeleteIs the house there in livable condition.You can have someone refurb it once you are in the prebuilt part
ReplyDeleteAdd a prebuilt on the the front of it and have twice the house / cabin. Go for prebuilt cabins in TX for best prices. Amish usually means quality.
Any other questions just ask us....we won't hold back.
Look at you thinking outside the box. I wouldn't know if livable is the right word, no heat/ac at the moment and plumbing is sketchy after the freeze, ha. I'll check out those premade cabins. And yes, we know you all always have lots of advice. Even if we don't always reply to every comment, (going to try to be better about that) we always read and enjoy what you all say and share. :-)
DeleteSo happy that things are coming together for you, although on a slower timeline. Wishing you all the luck in the world with your plans!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We have a feeling when things start happening it will be frenetic, ha. Stay tuned and hang on! :-)
DeleteBoth are beautiful and would be equally suitable. Should you have to tear the old one down, salvage enough wood and find someone to build you a front porch bench with it.
ReplyDelete