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Oh the Things You Learn In Building a House!

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Industry Observer

We're in the process of having a new house built, and I continue to be surprised at all the things I am learning as we go along - despite the fact that houses are basically the core of what I DO for a living. 

I already knew from past buying/selling experiences that being a real estate broker and helping other people buy and sell is WAY different than being immersed in the emotional whirlwind yourself.  And I'm still not positive if it makes it even more nerve wracking to realize all the potential hitches there can be in the real estate world.

But just as being able to be part of my clients' excitement is one of the best things about working in real estate - experiencing that excitement first hand is REALLY cool!  Of course, I am also re-learning how hard it is for me to be patient when there are things outside my control that either cause delays or problems.  And the rainy weather has brought a few of those lessons to me in the last month.

 

New house foundation Olympia

Our contractors were able to get the foundation in for our new house, before a week of rain kind of put everything on hold.  Yes, Olympia is a rainy place to live, but seriously - at one point our paper said the amount of rain we had had in just the first week and a half or so of March was something like 5 times the normal for the entire month!  Now that is just uncalled for!!  LOL

Last week, though, the weather was more cooperative and that glimpse of springtime let the framers get started with the first portion of their work.  Amazing how much the idea of framing makes a house begin to seem really REAL!  I realized I seldom am trying to show new construction when is in just the foundation stage - there really isn't a whole lot to see, and it is very, very hard to imagine a finished house at that point.

 

Framing starts at Westlake house

This coming week (knock  on wood for weather cooperation) we should actually have framed in walls & roof trusses arriving as well!!  Happy dance, happy dance - and good thing we are building in a location where I can pretty easily detour on my way to the office and again on the way home.  I admit I am SO excited about the new house that I could probably just hang out all day watching if I didn't have folks actually thinking I should maybe list their house or find them a house to buy....  (And the contractors are likely just as glad not to have me underfoot all day taking random pictures!)

 

 

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                        Showing Olympia - Let me show it to you!!

For Info on the Communities of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater  WA and the real estate to be found here, just call me, text me, email me!  And I'd love for you to subscribe to my blog.

Nancy Conner, City Realty Inc,    360-701-1086     nancy@cityrealtyinc.net      

Show All Comments Sort:
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I remember my house being in the foundation stage and thinking, "Is that it?  Is it really going to be big enough?"

Mar 16, 2014 07:51 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA
So true Chris Ann! I had that same thought, but realized I've walked thru many homes the size we are building & have measured planned new rooms compared to our current rooms a bunch of times as we plan which furniture goes or doesn't.... Pretty sure it's going to turn out just right - but, wow, it's tough to visualize quite yet! Guess that's why I don't usually show buyers just foundations!
Mar 16, 2014 08:19 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I had my first custom home built for me in 2005 and i agree, what a learning experience! In fact, I don't think that your education is complete if you work to sell new homes until you go through it yourself.

Mar 16, 2014 09:26 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nancy- even though my husband is a builder, I never wanted to "start from scratch."  The reason was I was always afraid that we'd finish the houseand then I'd slap myself for not choosing this instead of that, or putting in the wrong fixtures. I'm excited for you!

Mar 16, 2014 10:07 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA
Joe, it's really nice that besides the excitement of seeing the new house take shape, it certainly is a learning experience that hopefully will make be a better resource for buyer clients contemplating building.
Mar 16, 2014 10:20 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA
Thanks Kathy - and am laughing at your worry about second guessing picks along the way! We started researching & looking at materials WAY in advance....and though I changed my mind several times on quite a few things, now I just don't look at ANYTHING that might confuse me! LOL (I'll let you know once we complete the house & move in, if I do all of a sudden want to change something....Or should I say I'll let you know what that is when it DOES happen! Then I can blog about remodeling....)
Mar 16, 2014 10:26 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Nancy,I am going to be watching your progress. We are building too and closing on the lot tomorrow. The grading is done and we are ready to go if the weather will cooperate. I hope the weather will turn in your favor.

Mar 18, 2014 01:19 PM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA

That's exciting Debbie!  I'll be posting more pix soon - the framers are just about done & trusses were being delivered today, so it's starting to look quite house-like.  I hope the weather is kind to us both!

Mar 19, 2014 06:42 AM
Elva Branson-Lee
Best Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
Marketing Specialist, Atlanta Short Sale Pr

How exciting and wonderful for you, Nancy. Keep us posted on how it comes together.

Mar 20, 2014 01:11 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Nancy~ I did this with my wife 15 years ago and the words "change order" still make the hair on the back of my neck twinge. Best of luck my friend!

It's let's get going Monday. Step on the gas!

Regards

Paul..

Apr 07, 2014 04:04 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA

Hi Paul!  Oh, I hear you on the dreaded change orders!!  So far, we've made a few changes to things originally planned - and finally how those changes always seem to be MORE expensive items, not less...  LOL  I'll post more pictures soon, as the exterior is really looking like a house now, roofed, sided, windows and doors in etc!

Apr 07, 2014 07:05 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Come on Nancy, I have been waiting for those pictures that you promised...

Apr 14, 2014 10:16 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA
Fine, fine, fine Paul - lol - I'll get some new pix up either tomorrow or Wed....for sure! :)
Apr 14, 2014 12:44 PM