A long, LONG process has come to an end and we're in the process of finalizing a deal to begin construction on our new home. Game plan is to be in the new home by Christmas.

We'll actually be moving back to the town where my wife and I grew up. Both my father and her parents still live in the same homes we grew up in. Schools are excellent.

Pretty nervous, but very excited. Going to be a pain to move, but in the end it will be worth it.

I'll update as things progress. For now, here's a drawing of the front.

 

Congrats Scribble. I remember you had concerns about selling, getting a mortgage, etc.

 

When did we get attachments?

Scrib, you might want to look into including some stone that's a little more upscale than just brick. Some of the best looking houses in the McMansion area that I live in are distinguished by their stonework.

 

Considered it... But it will absolutely destroy our budget.

 

Congrats!
We just built new 3 years ago and really enjoyed the process.

 

Very cool. It's an interesting process... especially if you're building custom (versus a builder in a planned community). We've built twice... and once was on schedule, once was late... so be sure to plan for that.

And definitely keep this thread updated as you move through the process!!

 

I took photos every step of the way. The most useful photos are of every wall in every room right before sheetrock went up. I know where every bit of plumbing, conduit, plenum, and vent is. I also know where to find studs and the details of framing in corners, etc.

 

Congrats Scrib!

Can't wait to see the progress pics!

 

Congrats! We just did the same. It's a pain in the ass but worth it in the end.

 

What interest rate were you able to get (assuming you didn't pay cash)? Did you get a lock for the duration of the build? We did and it ended up saving us a ton of money. Rates went up almost a point on a 30 yr fixed during those 4 mos. Locked at 4%.

 

then again rates might be pretty static for a while...

 

Best o Luck! Hope you make the Christmas deadline!

Hard to tell from the photo, but is that all brick veneer top to bottom?!?!?!

If so, you may want to consider mixing in some siding to break up that huge monolithic look.
....just my take.

 

Congrats Scrib


Can't wait to see the plans...will keep an eye on the thread for updates

 

It'll be all brick, except in just a couple of places on the front that can't be bricked, we're going to use hardie plank.

 

ha nevermind i guess

 

Can't lock until 60-90 days out, which is October-ish... Rates should remain relatively flat, maybe creep up a hair. Nothing major.

 

So how does financing new construction work? Do you get some kind of short term loan to get the construction going or do you have to give them cash?

 

We will give them cash. Other builders wanted a construction loan, which by not having to go that route, saved us $4-6K in interest.

 

Congrats! Enjoy the adventure!

 

Looking forward to updates! Good luck with everything!

 

on dealing with teh wife AND contractor along the way

 

Good luck DJ Scrib. Hope you got out of the old house without getting your face bashed in!

Any non-budget busting chance you can pivot the garage for a turn in instead of front facing?

 

Negative. And it's not about $$$, but width of the lot.

Anything over 90' wide starts getting in the realm of really stupid money, and isn't a wise investment, IMHO. If it were a corner lot, we'd be OK, but it's not.

I do prefer a straight drive vs. a sideload. I am certain my wife would rip a mirror off.

 

Prints finalized, lot staked, plans with the town for permits. Shouldn't be too long before the big dig begins!

 

Nice. Can't wait to see pics.

 

congrats scribbie... my best friend is going through this now... they are supposed to be framing this week, but he is goin through hell dealing with the contractors and designers... i hope you have better luck!!!

 

Design should be per print. Is he GC'ing his own build? As much as I know I could do it, I rather pay someone to do it, it's their ass if their subs miss a schedule date.

 

from what i thought, they shouldn't be this involved... they aren't general contracting this build... i mean they went through a builder company that is doing that whole development in that area...

it just seems like where it comes in on the design piece is picking out the color brick cause there are loads of colors... type of hardwood floor, highhats in the bedrooms and all the other upgrades etc... it seems like they are doing it to themselves... but i would be the same if i was dumping that much money...

 

That is different. It is a royal PITA picking brick, lights, etc. But depending on how they structured their agreement, it can be made painless. Putting enough "allowance" money into the deal and having free reign on how to spend it, works the best.

 

Scrib, any concerns about selling your current house? How's the market out there?

 

Of course I have concerns, but we need to make the jump. Market is so-so, but what I've noticed that lesser-priced/valued homes are selling a lot better (we fall into this category) than the more higher-priced homes and there are a shload of those on the market. We've put a lot into our home, with the realization, we won't get it all back. And don't have emotional/financial reasons to try and sell our home for more than the market is dictating.

We've planned, and are prepared. Can hope for the best, ready for the worst.

 

it's is actually a weird set up... if you go into the sales office in the on-site model home, they have samples available but send you to a 'design studio'... the problem is, when you go to the design studio, they still send you to the contractor's place of business to see all the types of cabinets they have available... then after you pick the ones you like, go back to the design studio to work out the pricing...

this place also uses the 'upgrade bank...' part of one of the incentives was that they would give you $50k worth of upgrades for $30k you put into the bank... good deal or not i don't know, but they seem to perfectly price all their upgrades just a tad higher than what it would cost you to get an independent to come do it so you are forced to do it through them...

i only know this because he is trying to convine me to build next to him but i can't afford it. if i could though, there is a banging deal around the corner... for some reason, the builder put up their largest floorplan house fully upgraded... 100k into the kitchen, viking sub-zero etc... paver driveway and 10ft first fl ceilings... and it is just sitting there empty... i think he is taking a bath on it with the construction mortgage... i would buy that one rather than build new...

 

You can get smokin' deals right now on existing homes. You just need to find what you want and make sure there are no liens, which is pretty common these days.

I assume this builder has existing floor plans, was putting up a shit ton of homes during the boom, etc? "Design" centers make me a bit nervous, and the markup is insane.

 

conrats Scrib! The designs look similar to my inlaws house, only garage on the other side and the entry centered.

They have red cedar and lots of architectural stone, but damn that ish is pricy! They have a stairway in the back of the house, maybe 4x8 then the steps down, and it cost 10k almost 20 years ago.

 

 

Game on. Hole next week.

 

Awesome

 

Dig, dig, dig.

 

 

Congrats!!

You should have them dig for the pool while they're there.