I knew the neighbor next door to the parcel of land I wanted to buy was eyeballed by the neighbor, and I knew the current owner shut her down since he didn't want it lumped in with another chunk. Today I met the woman. She works in town hall. She doesn't like me LOL
I was told that a septic system would cost a FORTUNE, that the well would cost a FORTUNE, that the drive would cost a FORTUNE. I was also told my dogs wouldn't be an issue so long as "they stay in their place" and that she was going to wait for it to go into tax sales (the property is covered in delinquent taxes, quite a lot, actually) and then she would purchase it anyhow. Interesting.
However, the current owner is interested in doing seller financing since the bank would want $20,000 regardless of loan type. Um, no. Not happening. Oh, and I have to get the signature approval of EVERY department for the town, including the neighbor who doesn't like me. I'm grinning, cause all that did was give me more dogged determination.
When all the doors are slammed in your face, jump out the window!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Baby tomato...
I'm more than a few weeks into this, and I realized something: I'm taking this all out on facebook friends who don't know dirt about cob. Time to play ketchup.
Some months ago I got it into my head that I need to move. I'd say about 2 months after we moved in. But I'm far too... me, I guess... to want a cookie cutter post and beam. Noooo, that's just not my thing. So I heard about cob. Google it, it's really too much to explain other than this: it's an earthen house, like the really pretty ones in England with the lovely thatched roof. But it's effectively made of dirt and straw. Yes, please feel free to laugh about wolves and pigs. Those houses have been standing for as long as 1000 years. That's more wind than a whole pack of wolves could muster. This piggy? She's safe.
Anyhow, I've been eyeballing the property for sale lists and I think I've caught one I want. This started the "plan your house," "contact the building inspector about codes," and "lets really think this through" stages. First call to local building inspectors landed me with "you wanna live in a dirty house?" "you're building it out of corn?" and a veritable plethora of other interesting comments. Temper, Neysa, temper.
Next was a slew of phone calls that gave me some hope. They want the R-value and a basic plans so they know I'm not planning 6 inches of dirt and a tepee or whatever.
The insurance company has no idea how to insure it, so they're going to contact someone in CALIFORNIA. Interesting considering I'm in Connecticut. I know they're near one another on the alphabetical list, but really?
Today I was on the phone with the state building inspector to get some hard pressed info about the codes, hints, tips, etc. He was actually really helpful, filling my head with questions and ideas and things to further look into.
My good buddy Evan is doing the awesome computer design for the layout of the house. I'm in good hands because I told him what I would LIKE, and he ran with it. My husband has requirements with the bathroom, I have requirements with the kitchen and, oddly, the roof. Outside of those, he has free reign, and has shown me some great designs.
My father is a carpenter and he's said he'll stand beside me and give me a hand if required as well.
So I have this awesome network of folks who are collaborating to help get the little cob dream to be a little cob home.
All great ventures started with a single step. Lets see where these feet take me...
Some months ago I got it into my head that I need to move. I'd say about 2 months after we moved in. But I'm far too... me, I guess... to want a cookie cutter post and beam. Noooo, that's just not my thing. So I heard about cob. Google it, it's really too much to explain other than this: it's an earthen house, like the really pretty ones in England with the lovely thatched roof. But it's effectively made of dirt and straw. Yes, please feel free to laugh about wolves and pigs. Those houses have been standing for as long as 1000 years. That's more wind than a whole pack of wolves could muster. This piggy? She's safe.
Anyhow, I've been eyeballing the property for sale lists and I think I've caught one I want. This started the "plan your house," "contact the building inspector about codes," and "lets really think this through" stages. First call to local building inspectors landed me with "you wanna live in a dirty house?" "you're building it out of corn?" and a veritable plethora of other interesting comments. Temper, Neysa, temper.
Next was a slew of phone calls that gave me some hope. They want the R-value and a basic plans so they know I'm not planning 6 inches of dirt and a tepee or whatever.
The insurance company has no idea how to insure it, so they're going to contact someone in CALIFORNIA. Interesting considering I'm in Connecticut. I know they're near one another on the alphabetical list, but really?
Today I was on the phone with the state building inspector to get some hard pressed info about the codes, hints, tips, etc. He was actually really helpful, filling my head with questions and ideas and things to further look into.
My good buddy Evan is doing the awesome computer design for the layout of the house. I'm in good hands because I told him what I would LIKE, and he ran with it. My husband has requirements with the bathroom, I have requirements with the kitchen and, oddly, the roof. Outside of those, he has free reign, and has shown me some great designs.
My father is a carpenter and he's said he'll stand beside me and give me a hand if required as well.
So I have this awesome network of folks who are collaborating to help get the little cob dream to be a little cob home.
All great ventures started with a single step. Lets see where these feet take me...
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