Project Status = on hold

Hello everyone!

The posts have been few and far between these days! Such a roller coaster ride trying to get everything in order with the house! We decided to place the whole project on hold for a bit, so many things going on in life we want to be able to give each one our full attention!

With that being said, let the wedding planning begin! August 18, 2012! Whoop whoop!

A little preview of the wedding venue! Ritter Farms, Cle Elum.

Update

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  We have gone through several drafts of the plans with our architect and builder for the new place.  Erin and I feel like we have a good design but now it just depends on if the bank will give us the go ahead to get started.  As soon as we get approved (fingers crossed) we will throw up the final floor plan, complete with 3-D drawings of how the house will look!

In the meantime, Erin and I made another big decision this week.  We originally planned to keep the current house as a rental.  After quite a bit of consideration, we are now going to try selling the house.  Considering all the work we've done on the house, we'll be sad to see it go.  But selling the house will be the best way to make the new house work.

Check out the new blog for the house listing information and updated photos:  http://304n31stave.blogspot.com/

Lots of real estate stuff going on....we'll keep you updated!

In the mean time, here's another picture of the future view:

Quick Pic

There's still not very much movement on the house just yet, but we hope to have an update post up fairly soon.   In the meantime, here's another picture of the house (from the barn) taken on Saturday, September 3rd.  The tree isn't looking too healthy despite how much we have been watering it for the past month.  But like the arborist said, we'll have to wait until next Spring to know whether or not the water is truly helping. 

Have a happy Sunday everyone and GO COUGS!!!

Before Pictures

I have had a few requests to post some 'before' pictures.  Try not to cringe too much!

Back deck looking out to Cowiche Canyon:

Location of the new garage (hopefully!):

Old Laundry Room/entrance (and former enclosed front porch):

Outside view of laundry area (to the left) and the North face of the house where the garage/addition will hopefully go (Picture courtesy of the Yakima County Assessor website):

Kitchen - (Appliances used to be on the other wall, but it's bare now):

Dining/Front Room:

 Stairway leading to the Master Suite complete with custom railing (We had to install the rail to pass inspection):

Master bath on the top floor (Complete with clawfoot tub!):

Master 'suite' (A new game room in the current plans):

Basement living space (red was a popular paint choice):

Walkway to the dungeon:

Mechanical area with old boiler, that runs like a champ per the old owners (will be a new mud room):

I think the fire extinguisher speaks for itself...

Cellar room? (Future bedroom):

That is it for now! I need to take a few more next trip up!

To save a tree...

Nothing too exciting is happening at the house right now. BUT we did have a fancy smancy arborist come up to tell us about our tree... We have a Silver Maple, which are drought tolerant. The arborist said it looked like no one had bothered to water it during the summer for about 4 years, if not more. At one time it was a rather grand tree that someone loved (these are his words, not mine :)).

In an attempt to save the tree, Fred and I repaired the irrigation. The term "repaired" is used very loosely since there are leaks everywhere, but since we just want to water the tree we are throwing caution to the wind. I know we are thrill seekers! :)

Irrigation "repairs":

This is what our tree should look like:

This what it looks like now:

Pretty sad looking! So every morning and every evening Fred is stopping by to run the water (at least until we can get the timer to work!) and we should know by next spring if we "saved" the tree or if it will need to be cut down.

Yet again, more luck is needed as we move forward at the 'new' place!

Floor Plans

After 4 rounds with our builder/contractor, here are the floor plans:






New Basement Floor Plan
(Click to zoom in)

New Main Floor Plan
(Click to zoom in)








The major changes are to add a 2 car garage with a master suite above the garage on the main floor.  The existing master bedroom on the 3rd floor will become a bonus room for now!  The basement will hold two bathrooms, a full bath and my new laundry room, aka "The Woman Cave!" (I hope you can hear my sarcasm...but really it's going to be a cool laundry room).

Busy Weekend (Part II)

On Saturday, after Part I, we had the septic guys come out to find/clean the septic.

The only clue we had to go on was that the septic was on the north side of the house.  No biggie!

Erin ended up running up to a neighbor, Don, who happened to grew up in the house.  He couldn't have been nicer.  He came over and showed us exactly where the septic tank was.  I would still be out there digging if he hadn't.  We ended up talking to Don for a bit about the house.  Turns out his father and uncle built the place in 1923 and planted the big tree that same year.  He gave us a couple more tips about the house and then had to leave.  I'm sure we'll talk with him again.

Back to the septic!  Erin found an old service receipt that were in the documents about the house.  Turns out the service man, Harold, came to our house before.  In 1992!  It took a couple hours but we now have a nice clean septic tank that appears to be working properly.   Here are some action shots: 

Just as the septic work was over, some family came over to check out the house (Thanks Jeff, Shelia, Madisen, Connor, Christy and Brianna for coming over!)  They were really excited for us even though they probably think we are crazy!

We even walked down to check out the barn and the bee's nest.  Here's a shot from the barn looking back at the house.  While it may look like a doll house, but remember it's a huge lot and the tree was planted in 1923!

Busy Weekend (Part I)

On Friday afternoon, Erin and I met with our contractor/real estate agent, Nathan.  We went to the site to talk in general about potential projects at the house.  We went all out too.  Everything that could possibly be done was discussed.   Once Nathan checks with subs and puts together a bid, we will get to see an actual price tag for our craziness.

Completely redo the former porch (turned laundry room) into a really nice mud room complete with dog shower?  Yes.

Remove the chimney running through the middle of the house to open up the kitchen and basement?  Uh-huh.

Open up the walls in the living room?  Yep.

Replace the door on the west side of the house with a nice big slider?  Definitely.

Move the stairs completely around to maximize the spacing of the main floor?  Sure.

Completely change the upstairs area for the new staircase?  Check.

Potentially jack up the house to add a foot or two to the ceiling in the basement?  Cool.

Maybe add a garage with an addition on the top?  Nice. 

Re-do the deck?  Of course.

Completely update all the bathrooms and bedrooms?  Certainly.

Oh and one more tiny last thing...turn the barn into a sweet man cave/shop?  Absolutely.

We listed off so many projects that it's going to take a month or so for Nathan to scrape together a bid! 

Feel free to guess what the total bid will ultimately come to.  Closest to the total gets the opportunity to pick up the tab!

Stay tuned for Part II with pictures!

Nothing a Match Can't Fix!

Some may say we are crazy, but we have officially purchased our second home.  Erin and I are well on our way to being land barons!

The new place isn't exactly move in ready so stay tuned for the adventure ahead of us!

Wish us luck!