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Lisbet
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| Posted: March 07 2008 at 2:57pm | IP Logged
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We are nearly back in the position to list our home again. We are pining for that 5 acres in the country. We have previously been opposed to building a new house, for many reasons, but the biggest being financial. Well with the housing slump many local builders have some really awesome programs. Dh has been checking them out and the idea is begining to appeal to us.
Those of you that have built, what are the pros and cons? Or if you've decided against building, why so? Thanks!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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stefoodie
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| Posted: March 07 2008 at 3:33pm | IP Logged
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I wish I were answering your first question instead of the second, Lisa. 
DH decided against building twice -- I have always been gung ho about building and still am, BUT he is the breadwinner, he has very valid reasons, and I am trying hard to earn a merit badge in submission  .
His reasons:
1. too stressful for the family, esp. since we had a little one both times that we were considering it.
2. too many decisions to think about -- he's already stressed out about work most of the time, don't want any more unnecessary choices to make (even though I pointed out that *I* would be making the choices ).
3. possibility of going over-budget which happens to many homebuilders.
4. possibility of mistakes made in construction: don't want to have to deal with safety issues, legal stuff, etc.
5. the waiting.
6. we can make a pre-owned home "our own" just as much as we could with a custom-built.
For the most part I agree with the above. Also my wanting to build is related to my drive for creativity -- to me it is the ultimate project: we can oversee everything, from design and the big decisions to the most minute ones like what kind of light switches, faucets, toilets, are we going to put things like laundry chutes, or a laundry room upstairs, do we vent to the outside (stove), are we going to put in built-in bookshelves, etc. So what *I* wanted to do was GC it ourselves, because doing it the traditional way (with a contractor) wouldn't save us much $$$-wise -- and DH vetoed that. He said we have enough on our plates with homeschooling, etc. to add one more thing. Heee.... that's his perspective of course. But I know he's also right -- at least where our family is concerned.
So, FWIW. Will be praying for discernment for you guys!
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stef
mom to five
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Maryan
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| Posted: March 07 2008 at 4:00pm | IP Logged
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Lisa - we sort of "built." Our house is on a lot that dh's dad deeded us from his farm. We went with a modular Cape Cod that had a bottom floor finished but we had to provide the basement, hook-up plumbing and electric, the "site plan" and site grading, and finish the upstairs ourselves.
PROS --
1. Sense of accomplishment and real pride
2. WAY CHEAPER THAN THIS AREA'S COSTs (that was #1)
3. We have a lot more skills now.
Since we were given the lot -- we just built what we could afford. We would not have been able to buy in our area so we're not talking dream houses. 
CONS
1. Stressful not knowing the bottom line number. I was the numbers cruncher and it involved a LOT of research into something I know nothing about. I came up with a number and gave us a 20% cushion. I am proud to say that we made it within the cushion... but thank goodness I allotted for it.
2. Family time is eaten up. To keep costs down, we had to do a lot on our own. Dan burned the midnight oil and I held down the fort alone.
3. It took a LOT longer than expected. While I was dead on with numbers... we were so wrong about time. Too many factors completely out of your control.
Would I do it again? Yes, but we couldn't afford to own a house to home a growing family any other way. And... we still have more building in our future. But for now we just keep everyone ALL together - ETA: literally, we have two big bedrooms: One for us and the extras and one for the kiddos.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
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Macmom
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| Posted: March 07 2008 at 4:53pm | IP Logged
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Lisa,
My dh...actually built....our house...himself. Out of strawbales. He did about 85% of the work himself, it took him 15 months. We tell everyone it was an act of desperation- we couldn't afford to live where we wanted, and where we COULD afford, it wasn't safe and there was no safe place for kids to play. So we bought 5 acres out in the boonies.
Pros:
low mortgage!
totally custom house!
(and, just for stawbale house aficionados: very energy efficient and environmentally concious!)
Cons:
I was a single mom with 5 little ones for 15 months!
Dh was EXHAUSTED! He worked all day teaching from 7 am till 3 pm, then built until 8 pm. He got back "home" (we were living at grandpa's house) in time to slam down a meal, read a book to the kids and say prayers and COLLAPSE! He worked on the house all day Saturday, and Sundays after noon.
But, now that it is done, I LOVE my house. Its like having my husbands arms wrapped around me all day, as I go about my day. I wouldn't do it twice in a lifetime though!
I guess its down to what is workable for your family. Not everyone could devote the kind of time we did to building, and have sympathetic grandparents who let you take over their house for all that time!
Peace,
Macmom
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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 6:49pm | IP Logged
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Just wanted to update here. I've read and re-read through all of your responses thoughtfully. Thank you!
It looks like this is what we will be doing, hopefully early this summer. A reputable builder gave us an offer on our house, and it's a nice one. We are researching all of the ins and outs of this, and while it is kinda scary, it is also very exciting. We are looking at a 5 acre property this weekend! :) St. Joseph ~ Pray for us!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Maryan
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 7:23pm | IP Logged
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St. Joseph was our rock while we built Lisa. Prayers for your project. 
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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Erin
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Lisa
I know you have longed to move for so long, I really don't know how you have managed so well with all the stress.
I'll pray hard this weekend works out well 
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Erin
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MarieC
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| Posted: April 08 2008 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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Very exciting news....we'll keep you in our prayers!
I hope those 5 acres aren't too far away!
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Marie
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Jess
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| Posted: April 08 2008 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
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How exciting!!!!
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God bless,
Jess
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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 08 2008 at 4:12pm | IP Logged
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Oh no Marie, no gettin' rid of B crew! :) We're here to stay. We are excited, very. Although after much talk last night, it will actually be more like August before we get started. We are amazed that the builder gave us the offer he did on our current home, otherwise this would be out of the question.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Ruth
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That's wonderful, Lisa. You're in my prayers.
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Ruth
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hylabrook1
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Lisa-
You mention that the builder made an offer on your present home. Does that mean you get to stay there until the newly built house is ready? That is awesome! Only one move, no temporary housing.... Several of the concerns about building are removed right there. Congratulations!
Peace,
Nancy
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Lauri B
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I was just reading about builder "trade ins". Apparently they've been doing it in the UK for years and have begun using it in the US as an incentive because of the slow housing market. It sounds like a really great thing for buyers! http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/04/real_estate/builders_taking_ trade-ins/index.htm
Congratulations!
http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/04/real_estate/builders_taking_ trade-ins/index.htm
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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 09 2008 at 8:28am | IP Logged
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Nancy, Yes, yes, the builder is buying our current home. We will live here until the new home is complete. We don't have to market the house or show it and such, which is SO stressful on me and the children. The offer we were presented with is the asking price we had listed our house for 18 months ago, and we are very very happy with that.
Very excited!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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stefoodie
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| Posted: April 09 2008 at 9:21am | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
| Nancy, Yes, yes, the builder is buying our current home. |
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Wow, I've never heard of such a thing. I'll have to read that article! Thanks!
And Lisa, how very exciting for you! I am envious!!! Prayers for a smooth transition for all of you. And keep the updates coming, please?
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stef
mom to five
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Nina
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| Posted: April 09 2008 at 10:01am | IP Logged
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Lisa,I am very happy for you!We also had our home built about 6 yrs. ago.I think that having a newly built home is the best-no repairs! Now my husband can spend the time with us and not the house on the weekends.It is also great that you found a good builder,we also did a lot of research into that.
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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 09 2008 at 10:11am | IP Logged
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Thanks everyone. I will keep you all posted on the process. Like I said, we plan on getting started in August, so about 4 months to go!
Funny thing, we were praying, asking St. Anthony to find us a buyer, because the biggest hurdle in the whole process has been the sale of our current home. Well, he found our buyer alright!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Thinking about building...
