I love the book and love the website, particularly the Forums. Kurt B., Cecil, PA

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The Beginning

Posted to Mueller-Dream-Home by Shannon on 4/15/2011 3:21:37 PM

Happy belated birthday to my baby sis!  This journal is the beginning of a rather long process.  We are owner building our first home and I want to have daily record of it.  I should really have started it last Sat. when we had our first zoning hearing for the land we were about to buy, but timing is everything and I have had none to spare.

This past Monday we had our final rezoning hearing for the 4 acres that we were set to close the following night.  Everything went great and after a commercial noise stipulation, went through with everyone saying yes.  Tuesday came and we signed the papers and took possession of our new residential land.  It cost $4,000 per acre and $2,520 for farmland conversion fees.

Since it legally became our land on Tuesday night, we seized the opportunity to get started clearing the land the very next night.  We opened up a large portion of what was once scrub brush and smaller 1/2-2" diameter trees.  We also planned around the non wetland...wetland by designing a U-shaped driveway and cleared a pathway that resembles a driveway.  It is very exciting.  We are hoping to break ground anywhere from July-August. 

Our home is going to be anywhere between 2,250 and 2400 sq. ft. on the first floor and an additional 1,100 sq ft. in the finished basement.  We are bricking the front and possible sides, depending on cost.  And, just so you don't think I'm totally off my rocker in thinking that I'm in way way way over my head, I have put in over 900 hours of planning already.  I have a husband whom is a master electrician and a heavy background in commercial and residential job sites.  He'll be able to spend every night and most of every weekend at the site to make sure everything is running smoothly.  I, on the other hand, am the daughter of basically, a general contractor.  My father has built, remodeled, added on so many projects it could make your head spin.  I have fortunately been there for most of them and have helped him on a large portion of them.  In addition, I am highly organized with schedules/budgets/time allotment.  So, we know what we are signing on for...

Today, we met with the bank again and this time, it wasn't just with questions.  We officially applied for the loan and at the end of my "presentation," the loan officer actually told me that I was the most prepared applicant she had ever had!  So, to ownerbuilderbook, I say thank you for preparing me well.  Now, we are just waiting for the designer to come back with the preliminary plans that my husband and I created.

Until then,

Shannon