build or not ? ;)

16 years ago

After finding out we were having a baby (that we sadly lost last week) we decided to put the building on our lot on temporary hold for a few years and find something existing. Our first offer on a 1945 home didn't work out as seller was unrealistic on the price so we moved on to a spec home on 2ac that wasn't yet fully completed. It was already at the walls painted stage. We will likely do some re-painting when moving in of the white walls. We like the honey colored ones for now.

The spec home is a first for a custom home builder in the area and has many custom features you don't normally find in a spec home in TX, such as a mudroom built in bench with hooks and cubbies, drain for washer overflow, built-ins in the closets and handicap accessible as in wide doorways etc. and we get to pick all the finishing fixtures. A couple of things in the floorplan I would have changed if I could, but not much.

We got lucky in that we like the cabinet choice for the kitchen, not the layout so much, but can live with that, but got them to make a change to make it a little more functional for us in removing the island placement and make it peninsula so I have a large baking space.

I'm so glad that we ended up doing this as I've had to make all the electrical and plumbing fixtures, granite, flooring, cultured marble color, and only have appliances left to select all within a weeks time. I'm considering just doing the kitchen pulls later as the allowance is so small and I'd rather get what I want and the same for bathroom mirrors.

We are still extremely sad about the loss of the baby, but having to make all these choices and have something else to look forward to has helped in keeping us busy in this rough time of our lives and we do have something to look forward too as we will be permanently living together during the week as well as weekends for the first time in our marriage.

So does this count as a build?

Here is a link that might be useful: Some pics (mixed with pics from our first choice)

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Comments (15)

mikeyvon
16 years ago
lyfia,

I first want to say how deeply sorry I am for your loss. You seem to be keeping your head up and that is the best you can do right now. Being 10 weeks pregnant, I know it is one of the most feared things in the world. Our good friends lost their baby at around 12 weeks. The were devestated and almost gave up, but did not. Now they have the most precious little girl in the world. DO NOT give up!

I say your house sure sounds like a build and looks great too. You are making many decisions and the house will be your own. Sometimes I wish we purchased a pre-built or almost built home.

Keep us updated on the build. We love pictures.
lyfia
Original Author
16 years ago
mikevon - congratulations!! We had a strong heart beat at 6 weeks and thought everything was fine and then went in for a routine check before traveling and the heartbeat was gone. It died at 9 weeks at least what it was measured as. I still had all the pregnancy signs and no indication anything was wrong. Although this one was a complete surprise it made us decide to have another one as soon as the Doc clears us.

Today is the first day that things seems to look up some. I'm trying hard to keep busy with other things as it helps and the house selections have been invaluable there.
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sierraeast
16 years ago
The best to you and your husband,lyfia.
dixiedoodle
16 years ago
I'm so sorry, lyfia.
I second everything mikeyvon said about the build. I think that choosing the fixtures and colors definitely fallls under the building a home heading! And, there are certainly days when I feel that having bought a spec home at the drywall stage would have been a very, very good idea.

Best of luck.
lyfia
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you sierraeast and dixidoodle.

It sort of feels like a custom build in a way since we can choose stuff from anywhere we like. Though in the interest of time we've used the big box stores. We just didn't get to pick the layout of things. We lucked out and were able to get a floor outlet added in the great room too.

We are meeting with the plumber at 8am on Saturday as DH wants to talk about where the septic (aerobic) sprinklers will go so I'll take more pics then as the cabinets should be all in.
lindybarts
16 years ago
I'm so sorry lyfia! ;*(

Absolutely, this qualifies as a build. I wish you the best of luck and hope the final stages of the house are stress free. I'll be anxiously awaiting those photos too!

Lindy
mavs_fan
16 years ago
Lyfia,

My deepest sympathies are with you and your husband.

Please keep us updated on the progress of your new home :-)
kelntx
16 years ago
Lyfia,

My sympathies to you and your husband. I have been in your shoes and I know how hard it can be. I am glad to hear you are keeping busy with the new house! How exciting! I love the pictures so far. I can't wait to see more. What area in Texas are you? We are building in central Texas :-)

Good luck and post lots of pictures!
amyks
16 years ago
I'm so sorry. Please rest and take care of yourself, that is the most important thing right now.

FWIW, I lost four babies, and have four children upstairs sleeping right now. I was always heartbroken, but after my children were born I always looked at them and thought "You wouldn't be here if I wouldn't have gone through that. It was worth it". Don't give up.

Regarding your question, of course it's a build. Please keep us posted. The place looks beautiful, and the setting is so serene!

Amy
lyfia
Original Author
16 years ago
lindybarts, mavs_fan, kelntx, and amyks thank you! It is a hard time, but having something else that requires focus and is fun is helping. I'm looking forward to see what has happened since I've not been out to the house for 2 weeks.

kelntx - I'm in SW Austin right now, but DH works in Houston and me in Austin so we are going for half way between.
kelntx
16 years ago
lyfia - We are building in Wimberley but live in Dripping Springs right now. Your land looks very nice and I love the trees! We have lots of cedars and ROCKS! LOL! I hope they have done a lot of work on your place. Mine sits as we speak! LOL!
sweeby
16 years ago
I'm so sorry for your loss, Lyfia.

But it is good to have something new and positive to keep you busy during this difficult time, and your new home will be just wonderful. You bought just at the right time for many of the visible and fun parts, and it'll be truly 'your house' when you're done. Plus, I know it'll be fabulous to actually live full time with your husband! So there's much to look forward to --
ajpl
16 years ago
I'm so sorry Lyfia. It's one of the hardest things to go through. There are som great online support groups if you ever feel the need to talk more.
luckymom23
16 years ago
lyfia,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
It is definately 'a build'. :)
I hope you and DH will enjoy being together and have a great time picking out all of the finishes for your new home. Your place will be lovely, keep us updated with pictures!
lyfia
Original Author
16 years ago
sweeby, ajpl, and luckymom23 thank you!

I should be able to post some updated pics that DH took this weekend when visiting the house. I wasn't able to go as I got stuck in the hospital with an infection and another surgery. Not a good way to try to finish a build.

build or not ? ;)

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