2015 is starting off with a bang. Chris and I signed a contract on February 1 to build a house! Somehow, all the stars aligned and we were able to find a builder in the area we wanted, within our budget, and who can have a move in date before fall!
Building a house was always our dream, but due to financial restraints, location, and lot sizes, we never thought it would be possible. We would walk into open houses in the area and be less than impressed. I tried to give myself a pep talk, trying to rally up some excitement and energy to not only move out, but move into a house that needed new paint, flooring, light fixtures, faucets, etc...you know, a lot of what I just got done doing to our current house. I was having a hard time getting excited about this, as you can understand.
We walked into model homes to gather info for the builder and we would instantly fall in love. I know, I know, that's the point of a model home. It's new, it's pretty, it's expensive...who wouldn't love it? But this transition from drab, old, "eh" houses, to new, pretty, custom, pricey houses made my heart ache. I felt I couldn't never have the experience of building my dream house, and that really bummed me out.
We then went back to a new, builder neighborhood we had visited before. We loved the area, the price point, and the builders, but one builder only had 2, not great lots left, and the other builder was out of office. Well, if one builder had only 2 small lots left, I assumed the other builder was in the same boat. My enthusiasm sank again. We learned their "phase 2" would start soon, I was encouraged. We then learned "soon" meant at least a year...down I fell again.
On a whim, I went back during the week to show my mom the area. I got info on the other builder and we went home. I was browsing through all the papers, and I found a neighborhood map of their available lots. Would you believe they had over 6 lots that would work for us?! My heart jumped with hope.
I scheduled a meeting with the builder representative and Chris and I talked with her about things further. We could build a 5 bdrm/4bthrm house on a premium lot (nice backyard!) within our budget! The tricky part? She could only sign 4 client contracts a month and she was signing her 4th later that day...but they did not want our lot, this is where things got good.
Just a week away would be the start of a new month, and we could sign then. We set up a meeting with her when she opened on Feb.1 to claim our land and house. We learned later that others were trying to sneak in front of us before opening to steal our lot, but the rep wouldn't have it, and she said they were out of luck, that we were her first appt on the first day of new contracts. We signed the contract, we got our lot, we are building our dream house! (She even came down in price a bit!!)
Oh man. I am so excited!
Of course, there is the whole "put house on market and move out" thing we have to tackle, but that is a different post, for another time. Right now, we are thrilled to say the least! :D
M.LEWIS
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