Builders

How hard is it to find a builder? I should learn by now when I start a question with "how hard is it..." it's not going to go as smoothly as I think in my head it should. I googled searched builders in central pa because as my motto always goes, if google doesn't know it, it doesn't exist. I came across some and I quickly emailed them about building our garage/living space and then later building our home. Some just didn't email be back and others simply replied with we only build in developments or we only build our own home plans. That's just not going to work for us so off the list they went. I asked around and one dear friend quickly replied that they were thrilled with their contractor but our trusty neighbor right down the road said I would highly recommend our builder and I quickly wrote down the phone number. A phone call later we had an appointment with a response of we will build whatever you want.

Tonight was the night for the "big" meeting. I am the first to admit I haven't a clue how to build a home or what all I need to get in order. But I'm learning the process since this isn't going to be our only build. We met with Todd from S&S Homes and he was patient, trustworthy, and knew his stuff. We showed him what he wanted, I told him I NEEDED a pantry, Chris a urinal, bigger steps, bigger garage doors, and radiant floors, and I NEEDED a pantry. Yeah I said that a couple times just to make sure I got what I wanted. He wrote it down, we walked the land to get some advice and for the first time I could visualize where our home will sit one day and where our garage/temporary home/"in-law" quarters will sit. Oh and we can't forget where the pool will be. :)

Yeah I might talk to more builders after we get an estimated cost to build and see if anyone can beat it but I'm happy. I'm happy with what he said, there were no gimmicks, no suites/ties, no business deals. It was straight forward advice.

As I sit here writing this there are 1,000 things running through my head. None of which has to do with windows, garage doors, lights. It's more like ovens, stoves, washers, dryers. If you know me you know that I am in love with appliances and go to Lowe's just to hang out in the appliance aisle to open up every fridge, oven, stove, etc. and explore. So here's to the million steps that stand between me and appliances.

A bank is a bank...

So I thought. Up until this point a bank was a bank to me. When the "no pay" crisis hit Chris right before we got married he quickly opened up a PSECU account and since that day I have loved everything about PSECU. The no interaction with people, doing everything online, and getting interest in our checking account-i love it. But then it came to finding a funding source for our project. For a week I was on the phone with countless banks and I thought why wouldn't a bank fund the project, it's just a construction loan. I learned quickly.

PSECU, Wells Fargo, the other credit union we belong to, FHH-FAIL. I called, I spoke, they hung up quickly. I quickly learned the bigger the bank the less willing they are to work with you. They all wanted you to buy a house that is already standing and if you take out one construction loan you don't get another one. So I went to my roots.

I called JVB and of course they would fund the project. FNB Mifflintown-of course they would fund the project. I let out a huge sigh of relief when both of those banks didn't hesitate to say yes to doing a construction loan now and then another down the road. In fact I had to ask JVB again (they were the first to say yes) if they really would fund the project that we envision. The guy chuckled and said of course we are a community bank we are willing to look at anything. Oh how I love small town thinking.

Now that we can get funding (upon approval of course) the next step is to find a builder that is willing to do the project and here's to hoping this search is less stressful than the whole funding fiasco.

Plans, Plans, and more Plans

For those of you who were reading my other blog I decided to delete that one and start anew. The reason? I changed the direction of the last blog and I just felt like everything was jumbled so I wanted a fresh new "sheet." The posts will be similar but we are about to start on a new journey that will prove to lead to some great memories and great stories. So sit back and enjoy this journey that includes two people and a dog.

Saturday morning Chris and I got the news that it's time to move on. Literally. We have been blessed beyond belief with the opportunity to live in the home we do and help it come back to life but it is now time to move on. My dad came down and told us that if you're going to build you better start now. So with that swift motivation we are quickly underway. We have 1 year to build a place to live and start the next journey in life. Now if you know me at all you have an idea that I can be a bit of a picky person. So with that being said panic quickly set in. Not only because Chris and I had separate plans for the day and no time to actually talk but also because how am I supposed to plan the house of my dreams in 6 months?!? Chris is the more calm and collected one and simply said let's do what we always talked about. So we quickly agreed that we would build his garage with a living space above so we had time to decide on a house that worked for us and I could figure out what exactly I wanted to build. Since Saturday it has been a whirlwind of searching for plans, realizing which ones worked, didn't work, and were just plain silly.

A 3 car garage it is, 1100 sq. feet of living space, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath upstairs, walk in closets, living room, kitchen, and a pantry. As far as the garage goes all I want is somewhere to park my car so I no longer have to clear off snow. Chris will be in charge of the garage but it will consist of places to park the cars, a workshop, and a utility room.

Join us for this journey that will prove to be one for the memory books.