We are preparing to build on an infill lot. We looked long and hard for the right opportunity. We ended up buying an older house on a double lot. We are fixing up the old house to sell and will build on the vacant lot. That being said, I looked at a number of possible teardowns and possible renovation/addition properties. If it were me, I would look long and hard at the price, location and attractiveness of the lot. If your market is individual buyers, I would talk a lot about the location, proximity to amenities, school district, etc. The lot we will build on is very very small, but the location is excellent. As with pretty much any house sale, if the price is right, you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding a buyer. Is this property in Chicago? If so, can I ask which suburb? Another possibility you may want to consider is subdividing the lot and selling it as two separate parcels. Our lot added very little to the price of our house, but is worth substantially more as a stand alone property.

Very preliminary plans here so much is subject to change. Splurged on land -- paid about 50% over planned, but got the land at 66% off original 1.2 million list. Since it is paid for, it is no longer a consideration. Probable Splurges: Interesting ceilings in main living area (not sure what yet) and 9' elsewhere on main floor. Maybe a nana wall (or similar) between kitchen and deck to maximize light (only natural light directly in the kitchen). Integrated plaster walls (although that may not end up being much of a spurge over good Sheetrock finish) because it is common in comparable new builds in the area (and not advertised as an upgrade). Large covered decks. Back if house -- Living room, deck and MBR will be cantilevered with basement patio below. ( probably not complete cantilever because it will be supported by stone columns) Nice fencing, but because the back yard is small, we won't need too much of it. Radiant hot water in floor heat throughout (again not much of a splurge because SIL in the business). Exterior must be 1/3 natural stone. Probably a nice chandy for the dining area, but the rest can be pretty basic. 8' doors in main living area. Undecided: windows, definitely want efficiency, but I can work with standard sizes; cabinetry and countertops, want nice and soft close, but flexible on wood type and finishes. Last time we shopped for granite for the ski house even though we budgeted for class 4, we found we really liked a class 2 stone better. Save: flooring (2) hardwood floors don't have to be anything special -- I have seen many midrange that I like, tile, again I have seen midrange options. I like. Carpet in bedrooms, office, closet and staircase except to the first landing because the rest is enclosed. Simple trim work (but also a splurge a bit t be sure it is beefy enough) Plumbing fixtures, I prefer simple and basic. Appliances -- been there, done that, on higher end appliances and really, I see no real advantage over my 10,000 range at home and my 2,500 one at the ski house and I cook a lot both places. Pantry storage will cost much less and pantry counters (as wll as laundry room can even be Formica. No fancy shower heads. No AC -- it's only needed a few days a year in our climate and we can survive without it. Upstairs guest room can have 8' ceilings. Of course, all this is subject to change -- we are waiting for the next plan revisions before we really start sourcing.

Just saw this recently. I liked the mystery and intrigue, and was even willing to forgive the incredible coincidences and ease with which Nicholas Cage was able to solve it, until... ***********SPOILERS************** Until it turned out the whole thing was about aliens and the earth ending. Ugh. I just have no patience for what this particular formula in movies. Even putting that aside for a minute, the idea that these aliens knew about the end of the earth years ahead, and that their course of action was to just let it happen and save two and only two children is abhorent to me. Why not save lots of children? Why these two in particular? Why only children? Why not give earth real advance warning instead of a cryptic note seen by three people a week before the end? My theory on this movie was that a couple of art directors/set designers/special effects guys were sitting around one night, sipping some wine, and wondering how they could get nominated for an oscar. The conversation goes something like this: - You know what always wins? - what? - Aliens with cool looking spaceships - yeah! Let's do one of those! Result: Knowing

Thank you guys! blfenton, you are right! I want this to be an updated midcentury. I actually want the bathroom to look contemporary modern, with lots of white-clean, modern, and bright. The exterior will replicate the mcm architecture but the interior will be more updated. I am really stuck on the floors and very nervous because I want to do the whole house in one floor type. kwsl2-That acutally sounds like fun. I wouldnt want to pay to fly someone out here though. I have called a few places so far. One was recommended by a store, but they dont do residential properties. Another one I called only does multimillion dollar homes and wasnt interested. I called a couple other places, but havent gotten a return call. I called an architectural firm whose work I really like, but they do their own work and didnt know of anyone. I am also nervous about the cost. A lot of the stuff I see online is very expensive multimillion dollar traditional/farmhouse style homes. Maybe these places are expecting calls from builders or architects and not homeowners?