Sunday afternoon we signed the contract to build this house. Tomorrow (Tuesday) the contract will go to the bank to start the formal process for the construction loan. The foundation plans are already being developed by the engineering company. Builder expects to have them back this week. Construction could begin in 4 weeks! That's probably optimistic.
Of course we'll do updates here whenever we have news.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Counter Top and Backsplash
We had a great time yesterday morning at Astons meeting with Summer. Astons has a location in Port Aransas and one in Corpus Christi. The PA location isn't open on Saturday. Summer works in Port A weekdays (except Monday) and in Corpus on Saturday. We had a great time with her. She had a great customer service style and was helpful as we picked out counter tops and the kitchen backsplash.
We didn't like the basic countertop Nick generally uses, and he gave a higher allowance for the kitchen because he understands us. Nick normally uses Corian, but to get the color/pattern we wanted it would be a substantial upgrade. We decided we would go with a granite that was less expensive than the high-cost Corian.
The counter is significant because that's the large feature that will determine the colors for backspash, cabinets, and walls. There were three that we found acceptable (price and color) and discovered we both thought the other person didn't like the lighter color, but once we clarified that, the lighter granite became our preference.
With that decision made we moved on to the backsplash. Summer was a great help, helping us work out visually what it would look like to have the backsplash behind the counter and stove, all the way up to the shelving/cabinets.
So, we have that decision in place. Of course, since Nick hasn't broken ground yet, we can still change our mind, but for now, this is our choice.
We didn't like the basic countertop Nick generally uses, and he gave a higher allowance for the kitchen because he understands us. Nick normally uses Corian, but to get the color/pattern we wanted it would be a substantial upgrade. We decided we would go with a granite that was less expensive than the high-cost Corian.
The counter is significant because that's the large feature that will determine the colors for backspash, cabinets, and walls. There were three that we found acceptable (price and color) and discovered we both thought the other person didn't like the lighter color, but once we clarified that, the lighter granite became our preference.
With that decision made we moved on to the backsplash. Summer was a great help, helping us work out visually what it would look like to have the backsplash behind the counter and stove, all the way up to the shelving/cabinets.
So, we have that decision in place. Of course, since Nick hasn't broken ground yet, we can still change our mind, but for now, this is our choice.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Financing APPROVED!
It's been a busy 10 days! 3 days before Christmas we meet with Nick (our builder) to go over the proposed costs for the house. On Boxing Day (December 26 for those who aren't familiar with it) we met with our mortgage broker and she gave us a letter of commitment -- approval for the mortgage. The next day we met with the Construction Loan Officer at the Port Aransas branch of American bank. We need the contract and the official plans before we can officially get the construction loan -- that's all on Nick.
We know Nick had a quick meeting with the Architect this past Monday.
We've been using Alese's long holiday time to visit the subcontract suppliers to look at the proposed appliance, plumbing, and lighting fixture suppliers. We are getting pricing on some items we want to add or upgrade.
We're waiting on the final drawings. We need to get them to the developer for official approval from the Architectural Approval Committee. We were told we'd have the approval as soon as they see the official plans. Final plans are also required for the construction loan approval -- actually for the appraisal to justify the amount of funding.
Things should move more quickly once the construction loan is approved. And, Nick says, 6 months from ground-breaking the house will be done. We'll see.
We know Nick had a quick meeting with the Architect this past Monday.
We've been using Alese's long holiday time to visit the subcontract suppliers to look at the proposed appliance, plumbing, and lighting fixture suppliers. We are getting pricing on some items we want to add or upgrade.
We're waiting on the final drawings. We need to get them to the developer for official approval from the Architectural Approval Committee. We were told we'd have the approval as soon as they see the official plans. Final plans are also required for the construction loan approval -- actually for the appraisal to justify the amount of funding.
Things should move more quickly once the construction loan is approved. And, Nick says, 6 months from ground-breaking the house will be done. We'll see.
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