Been a While!

I cannot believe that it has been so long since I posted anything about our process  So in the last two months we received our building and zoning permits from the township (audible sigh of relief!).  We then were in a total holding pattern while waiting on closing with the bank. I cannot believe how long these banks take with their end of paperwork.  It seemed like every other day they were saying that we were approved and then back-peddling that there was something else we needed.  Then with the horrific weather we have been having in the northeast the bank was closed almost an entire week due to a lack of power.  I finally got so fed up that on Tuesday I decided to call the bank representative to find out where we stood with our closing and that I would like a closing by the end of the week....they apparently were not very happy with me for jumping in like that (oh well) but they let us know that we could have our closing the following Monday!!! I can hardly believe that we are just a few days away from closing on this loan and starting construction!  I am almost afraid to write this for fear that it will jinx this closing!

Merry Christmas....Not so much:(

I never in a million years thought that this process would be as difficult as it has been. I feel like this has really taken it's toll on my entire family.  The kids are having the share a room which is really starting to take its toll on all of us!

Bank Approved!

So we began the bank loan process back in September.  After a few okay a lot of hold-ups from our builder getting his paperwork in I received word last night that he has been approved!  I am so relieved.  Still haven't heard about a bank settlement date, but we probably won't have settlement until after the Christmas since our builder is away until then.  We now need to get the surveying paperwork and apply for our building permit.  I do not think I will completing let out a sigh of relief until we get the building permit.  In reality the township could deny our approval and then we will have to come up with a plan B.  I really can't think about that just yet...Need to wait and see what the township says.  Hopefully we will have word in the next week or two. 

New Home Plans

Just to give you an idea of what our home will hopefully look like in the coming months...

Did you ever???

So did you ever come up with an idea and it seems genius and then after some time you say to yourself....what the hell was I thinking? Well that is exactly what I am thinking 5 months after making probably one of the biggest decisions of our married life.

Let me start at the beginning.  We have owned an empty lot (next to our old house) for the last few years.  Every year I have paid the taxes on the empty lot, watched as my husband has mowed the grass in the warm spring and summer months, and watched as my children used to run through this empty space.  All during that time we talked about doing something with the land but we could never agree one what.  Okay.  I just totally lied.  My husband is pretty much always up for anything and I am the one afraid to take the plunge with just about anything.  For whatever reason around late spring when we started talking again about what to do with our empty lot the idea of building a house seemed like a great idea.

We then began to think about what we would need to do in order to make this dream a reality.

1. We needed to sell our house. 
2. In order to sell our house we needed to get it on the market. 
3. In order to get our house on the market we had to do some major cleaning, decluttering, and finishing all of those little projects we had let go over the last few years. 

That was just the beginning...

On July 2nd we put our house on the market.  On July 3rd we had an offer.  Not just any offer but a solid offer that we were not going to pass up. After then going through the fun process of selling a house (getting it ready, listing it, home inspection, packing up all of our worldly belongings, and going to settlement) we then had to start the process of building our new home.  In the process we were going to be homeless.  Perfect.  Me, my husband, two children, cat, and all of our crap were going to be homeless.  After some pillow talk with my husband, some discussion with the kids, and then discussing this crazy plan with the rest of our family it was decided that we would move in with my mother-in-law for the time being.  Considering she is essentially by herself (except for my ex-brother-in-law who lives with her-  it is a very long story and one for another  time), 82 years old, and not in great health,  she could use some extra help around the house. She also lives a few minutes from the school my children attend and close to both of our jobs.  In reality, this seemed like the ideal situation.  

After moving and making settlement on our old house we then began to focus on our new house and lot.  We found a builder, were put into contact with an architect who would draw up our house plans, began applying for construction loans, and apply for building permits. Sounds easy, right?  Well not so much.  Anyone out there who has undergone this process can probably attest to the fact that as soon as you think you have handed in all of the necessary documents to move one step forward in this process, they need three more documents making it feel like you have moved three steps back.  

Now, 3 1/2 months later we are in a bit of a holding pattern waiting to break ground. I have (supposedly) turned in all of the necessary documentation to the bank, the bank is waiting for a few more items from our contractor in order to get him approved, and we now need to get our empty lot surveyed due to some township requirements having to do with water run-off and silt.  

Hopefully, we will be a bit further in the days to come!