We Have Foundation Walls

Well, things are moving along now. They poured concrete last Thursday and even poured our neighbors footers (we are going to be sandwiched between Venice's). I think they will probably water proof them sometime this week. This weekend we stopped by the lot and with all the rain we had early last week, we discovered some interesting prints in the mud, which we took pictures of. I guess that is the bonus of bumping up to woods. Wildlife! Yesterday we walked in the woods and i'll be damned if there wasn't a what we believe to be a turkey and Jen spooked it. Looks like I might need to buy a Turkey Call :-)

One thing that kind of bothered me was the smell of oil or fuel on the lot. I'm not sure if it coming from the ground or if it is from the house next to us that just got their asphalt driveway. Has anyone else experienced this? I guess that is something I will pay attention to the next few trips out. We are hoping the lumber gets delivered this week so the next phase can start. Meanwhile, just a few pics of the last visit.

Deer Prints

Queen of the Hill

Turkey Prints

The back

The supports have since been removed

Footer Inspection Today

Just got a surprise email and pic from our PM saying that the footer inspection is scheduled for today, and once the rain lets up, (which won't be for a couple more days at least)  they will pour the footing. None the less, I'm happy for any and all updates. Sometimes I can't believe this is actually happening. It isn't even summer yet and I'm looking forward to winter and using that fireplace. Next week we should see some concrete :)

Pre-Construction Meeting Is Done

Went to our Pre-Construction meeting yesterday and met the PM for the first time. Seems like a good guy. The meeting only took a little over an hour since I was able to read some other blogs and question lists, I was able to find out a few things out prior to this. Actually he did a good job answering some questions as he went along his checklist without me having to ask, cutting down on the time we needed to be there. They are still waiting on our permit to come back from the county, so that is the biggest hiccup of course. He did state that if they can get started before the end of month, we are looking at a completion date in July sometime.


Some of the questions that were important to us:

•  Will the 2 pc rough-in powder room in the basement be dry walled?  No, it wont. I was under the impression that it would be with exception of a toilet and sink since the basement is going to be finished. the PM did say they would at least run the water lines to it for my "permit troubles" . Well, it beats a stick in the eye I suppose.

• Will the lawn be sod or seeded?  Grass will be seeded, since it is a 1/2 acre lot (money issue of course for them) They will however provide the hoses and sprinklers so you can give it your own tender loving care.

• Can you pick out the types of shrubs and tree for the landscape package? No, they will pick a flowering tree and shrubs. You can't have the same tree as a neighbor. They like to mix it up in the development. (We were adamant that we DO NOT want a maple)

• Will our shower have a swing or slider door? Swing door thank god.

• Basement door: Will it be just a regular door or will it have a glass plane like the models? Just a plain regular door. Looks like we will getting our own door later.

• Will the egress window be in the way of our future deck/patio? No, it won't. We actually have moved it to storage room which is in back of the house near kitchen window vs. having it on the side of house and visible from the road. Besides, it is supposed to be a man cave. Who needs light anyway?

House Price Jump Already?

Out of boredom on the night shift couple days ago, I scoured the Ryan Homes website and was surprised to see the houses in our future community rose anywhere from $10-15K and added a cheaper model (Sienna) to the availability. When we purchased our Florence, the starting price was in the $210's, and now the starting price is in the low $230's.  I read on another blog that every time Ryan Homes sells a couple houses in the community, the price jumps $10K. Not sure how accurate that is or if it is just the market, but I like it. Sell Sell Sell! Build, build, build I say! Not bad instant equity if it is true, considering the house has yet to be built.  Sure do hope the house will appraise for more than we bought it.

Pre-Construction Meeting is Back On...For Now.

Not to much has changed since last post, but I have been on SR to get me updates on our permit and he says that the permit office says by "mid week" it should be approved. With that said, we have scheduled a Pre-Construction meeting for Friday the 18th of April. I had written down some questions. Since I'm off work this week I will continue to work on my list of questions. Anybody got any tips on things to ask or look out for? I have been wondering if the landscaping can be changed...i.e. not having so many Shrubs and instead getting other plants without it being considered an "upgrade" and thus costing more $$$.


All my forms, statements, DNA samples and everything else NVR wanted for the Underwriter has been sent in. According to my Loan Officer, the Underwriter doesn't have any questions and things are looking on the up-n-up. I will post again once we have had our PC meeting. With this warm weather the past 2 days, I feel like things are finally going to start taking off .

"Our Hole"

Still no change from last post. We are still waiting on re-issue of our permit so building can continue, but I figure I would at least post the hole. I was quite surprised the amount of rock and shale on the lot.

April Fools Joke...We wish it was!

Well, I don't know what to think of this home building process anymore. Today I get an email from the SR that they need to reschedule our Pre-Construction Meeting to a later date. The reason: Our permits, while approved last week, were approved with the wrong prints/floor plan!!! It was supposed to have been a REVERSED PLAN. How does that happen? Aren't they supposed to submit plans and permits the way the house is supposed to be prior? Permits have been sent back to Berkeley County for approval, again. So.... looking at another couple weeks of delay possibly. I'm glad I haven't told my landlord when I'm actually planning to close and move yet.