Farm Journal

Thoughts and images from life at Foster Road

Entry: May 25, 2009

Journal Entries

Blueprints

It’s been a crazy month since the last entry and it’s resulted in two big things: the final blueprints of the changes I’m making to the house, and the closing of the loan that will make it possible. Neither were very photogenic processes, and did not lend themselves to web posting.

After months of polishing my own drawings of the house, I had to amp up to architectural drawings to pass the permit process. Working with an architect was a new experience for me, and I found the right partner in Janice Miller. She was happy to work with my ideas and asked great questions. Then she left me alone to struggle with the twin demons of ambition and budget.

Once my rough plan was in place, I went back to my three final contractors. Like in the tale of Goldilocks, one was too high, one was too low (after much early enthusiasm, they just never showed up), and one was just right. More, probably much more, on Clark and crew in the coming months.

Proposal in hand, it was off to find financing. There is a little-used program through FHA that provides construction money rolled into a fixed mortgage. The 203K loan is a little more expensive and takes considerably more effort, but if you’re organized and determined it’s a workable option.

So here we are, Memorial Day weekend, loan signed (did you know that the Friday before Memorial Day is the second busiest mortgage-signing day of the year, second only to the Friday before Labor Day), and with polished blueprints in hand, I’m ready to go. Only no one is around but the birds and a brazen doe who stared me down from the field yesterday. The house is looking ragged with half started demo and unmowed acreage that’s returning to natural habitat. Good thing I like work. Next exciting entry: TRACTOR!