I spent some time looking over this website. Lots to see. I figured this is a good resource for data and feedback from those that are way ahead of me in the process of building their own home. Libby in Boone, NC

Patty's Forum Posts: 23
Journal Entries: 4
Interview Answers: 62
Average Forum Rating: 3.72
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Excavation

Posted to Elijahs-Home by Patty in Vero Beach, FL on 12/6/2008 2:34:13 PM

The past two weekends have been dedicated to digging a pond and leveling out the land. The house pad has to be brought up about three feet to be out of the flood zone.  All the Brazilian pepper trees were removed.  We hit ground water at 6 feet, so that is the depth of that pond!  The pathway has also been set. Well, I am posting pictures for now and will write up the rest later!

Looks pretty good. 

Photos

Entering the property	Walking Up....	Where the storage shed will go....
Where the front yard and house will be	To the left...

Architects and Designers

Posted to Elijahs-Home by Patty in Vero Beach, FL on 9/16/2008 12:06:16 PM

So, after talking with my Dad and being bummed about the builders, Dad said an architect would be of better service.  So, I started interviewing architects.  Created an interview form and started the process.  Picked out four. 

They all seemed competent.  One was WAYYYY out of our league.  He was a true gentleman but way too much.  Two others were really decent and we liked them, but their pricing was 8% of the total costs.  I had an issue with this, because how come I should be charged for putting in travertine tile and them costing it out at $13 a foot and I being able to get it for $2 a foot?  I just had an issue with that.  Plus, one of them had an ulterior motive of also being a builder. 

However, the interviews were VERY educational.

Another one just didn't gish with us and he was about 50 miles away.  So, I was at a standstill.

Then, the book brought out designers!  I looked in the phonebook and there was ONE designer in our town!

Called him up and he charges by the square foot!  His bid was AWESOME!  Plus, he has deigned some of the houses on our street and his work is good.  And his references were good.

He is so no nonsense.  And very practical.  What I would stereotype a draftsman.  Haha.  All his references said he knew how to use space and design for traffic.  Awesome!  Anyhow, we meet with him in two days!

Attached is my interview form for the architects and designers.....

RogerC's Forum Posts: 51 Interview Answers: 3 Average Forum Rating: 3.36 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 9/17/2008

I'm currently looking for an Architect or Designer here in Phoenix.  I'd like to have a look at your form.  Can you tell me where to find it?

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Builders

Posted to Elijahs-Home by Patty in Vero Beach, FL on 7/25/2008

Met with a few builders and had hoped with the glut on building that there would be some deals.  Found out that there weren't any. 

Decided to build our own house.  Why?  Well, not only did the builders want to charge crazy amounts (10% for cost plus), but they were in a big rush to start builidng and guaranteed the house would be done in less than 6 months.  This also didn't sit well with me.  Since moving to Florida, I have an island mentalitiy.  Nice and slow.  Gives me time to shop and pay for things getting done when I have the money.  Builders want the money upfront.  Personally, I don't need this house built in less than a year.  So long as I have it by the time my son starts school, that is good enough for me.

So, I ordered the books.  Have read over half of them and you know, I can do this!  I am type A and I shop hard for deals.  So, let's begin!

Land

Posted to Elijahs-Home by Patty in Vero Beach, FL on 5/20/2008

About a year ago (maybe longer) we started looking for a five-acre lot around town.  Tired of gated communities, we wanted some land to be private and do whatever we wanted to do... have swans and goats if we wanted.  Goats, haha, yep!

Anyhow, we found one we loved and the price was just too much... more than I could afford.  So, we looked for other lots. The location of these other lots wasn't so good, but we did locate some. Six months pass.  Then, the glut happened a few months ago.  Land prices went down. Negotiated with a number of folks to get a reasonable price and then went back to the lot we still loved. The other lots ironically, were in fancy gated communities and although zoned for agriculture, had HOA laws that didn't allow for anything!  Even more restrictive than our current gated community!

Called and they had come down at least a third in price!  So, I waited.  Reviewed what the seller had bought it for, what he was also holding, and it turns out, he is a small time builder and was losing money.  I made a crazy low offer and they came back with a counter offer.  Ended up paying half what the original asking price was!  Ended up paying less than what the lot was appraised for by the county!  Wooohoooo!

This lot was far better than the others because it already had a well on it.  And it has trees.  Just perfect!  Plus it is near the schools for my son.  It is just perfect!  Plus, I got a deal!

Moral of the story - do your research and have a ton of patience!

Photos

RogerC's Forum Posts: 51 Interview Answers: 3 Average Forum Rating: 3.36 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 9/17/2008

I'd add one more element to your moral.  In addition to diligent research and lots of patience, you clearly made up your mind about what you wanted and had the perseverance to go for it. My situation was a lot like yours.   I went looking for land for similar reasons...  wanted some space around me and didn't want to deal with a ton of rules about what I could not do on it.  Hadn’t thought about goats… until now.  ;) After looking for about 6 months, I bought a parcel of land that met my needs.  But…  I kept looking at a parcel just across the street and thinking about how much more I liked it.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t for sale.   Eventually, I tracked down the owner and convinced him to sell.  I sold the first parcel after a year, made a small profit and bought the one I really wanted...  and I love it!

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