Thanks so much for such a great book and great website. I really don’t think we could do this without them. My husband and I were talking about how we wished we had read the book 10 years ago and could now be building our “dream” (i.e. final) home with little or no mortgage! C’est la vie. I am teaching my girls about the “step-up” plan (they are 8 and 11!) and, if the law doesn’t change, I will encourage them to use your book to build up to their final home mortgage-free!  Angela Berry

Tina's Forum Posts: 17
Journal Entries: 1
Average Forum Rating: 3.79



Tina's Selected Image

Subscribe to this journal...

A True Blessing

Posted to Rick-and-Tinas-dream-home by Tina in Auburndale, FL on 3/14/2009 9:55:38 PM

Well, it is amazing that I'm even writing this!  We have been "on hold" for over 7 months.  Made a big mistake and started owner-building with $$ we had in savings.  We took an old 1950's 1,500 s.f. house that is lakefront; got architect to draw up plans; ended up with 4,300 s.f.  The block is up; roof is on; soffit is done; and we got to part of the framing and ran out of money.  Banks won't touch a "construction in progress" so we've been waiting over 7 months to continue!!  Big stress!  But, through lots and lots of prayer, tears, dashed hopes, etc., God is amazing!!   On Tuesday, one of Rick's business associates called and told him he was lending us the money to finish the house; and on Friday, 3/13 (I'll never look at Friday the 13th as a spooky day again!) he wrote a check out of his personal bank account, like he was writing a check for $25!!!  He's known Rick for maybe 2 months.  It's unbelievable.  Now, we are paying him a hefty % rate for using his money - 10%, but there's no paperwork; closing costs, monthly payments, etc.  When we refinance, we'll pay him back.

So, we are starting again, this time with much stricter control of the budget.  I wasn't as involved in the previous project, but will be on this one.  I'm much more detail-oriented and we have limited $$$ to get our CO, so that's my ongoing project.

We had a crew here today and they started framing the stairs; cleaned up all the junk around, etc.  Now, next big decisions are windows and insulation.  We have HUGE windows that make the house brighter and are great for the lake view, but none of them are standard sizes.  We have a price on Pella.

More tomorrow.

Photos

This is the day we started birthing the "baby" - June 30, 2007.

Work in progress

Larry's Forum Posts: 7 Interview Answers: 162 Average Forum Rating: 3.29 Randomly Selected Image 3/21/2009

Tina, Yes, God is good!!  We are waiting on our blessing because we too have run out of money.   Our home is yet so close to completion but yet so far.  The market got us where materials are higher and labor too.  I am praising the Lord on your behalf as we wait on Him to send us one of His Angels.  Thanks for sharing.