Bought some lake property

[aspeck]

Re: Bought some lake property

Mom just did the modular thing. About 90K for the house (1550 sq foot). Till we built the crawl space foundation, did the water and septic, landscaping, built the back and front porch, interior painting instead of the primer they have on the walls ... we were close to 125K. But, it is a very nice 3 bedroom. Some things are very well built. Some things, I was not happy with. If you go that route, think ahead and decide where your electric service is going to enter the house - make sure there is adequate provisions. Think ahead for phone and TV service and stipulate where you want the cabling ahead of time, etc. Avoid surprises later.

Oh, and I was not happy with the finishers, so I fired them and did it myself - made a much better job.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Bought some lake property

By the way, Mom's modular is very nice, but I prefer stick built.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

Thanks for the thoughts.
The quotes i am getting say turn key..
Foundation included and interior painted,Included front porch.
The reason i was thinking modular was the saving in time to get it completed.
I did find a local dealer who has the same house i looked at the other day that was 119K.
This dealer says under 90K..
I think i'll keep looking and find out more about stick built too..
I would like to have it finished by the end of the year..
The phone,cable and internet wiring i'll do myself.I used to do that for a living..May save me a few bucks..

 

[aspeck]

Re: Bought some lake property

The phone, cable, and internet wiring is included in the price of the home. You just need to tell them where you want the stuff and where to terminate it, and how. If you don't specify, they do what they want, and it won't be where you want.

As for the electrical service, we were going to mount the box in the back corner of the house, just on the opposite side of the wall from the panel box, but because we did not specify it, we had to knock out part of the foundation, use sweep L's and come out on the other side of the side door. This meant the service meter was more than 6 feet (I think that was what the inspector said) from the panel box, so we had to install a quick disconnect outside to meet his INTERPRETATION of the code.

Anyway, that is why I say if you go the modular route, think it through first, and tell them where you want EVERYTHING.

As for the time element, that is why Mom went with the modular. Took about 3 1/2 months from order time to completion. (BTW they called it turnkey, but the paint is just a primer. If you want something other than a flat primer, be prepared for additional cost). On the other hand, I stick built my house (2000 sq foot living space, 2000 sq foot garages, storage, and porches - my wife and I divide things evenly d ) from start to move in date in 2 1/2 months. But, I hired a good contractor, worked for him during the day, sublet the electrical, painting, roof, and siding from him, and after 5 pm a few of my friends came and helped me, so we were working from 7 am - midnight, 6 days a week. :%

It is all in what you want, how much time you have, and what you can afford.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

Thanks Aspeck, Those are definatly things i will be sure to find out before they build.
I wish i had time to help do some of the work myself.
The painting is no problem,i have done my share of that.
2 1/2 months is amazing! I know you worked your rear off!

I'm just trying to go the most affordable route.It will just be me making the payments..
I Have a family member that does foundations and said he will cut me a big break on that..Will the modular contractors let an outside party do that?
Just wondered if that would save me much..

Thanks for your input..

 

[LFK]

Re: Bought some lake property

Congratulations on such a steal!

Are you looking to adopt? I'm available.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

Thanks LFK.... Can you paint?...lol8)

 

[LFK]

Re: Bought some lake property

You bet I can paint! I'm just not very good at it. 8)

 

[aspeck]

Re: Bought some lake property

Gary, the short answer is yes, the dealers should let you do your own foundations. We did Mom's. We had to fight to get the plans from them so we could get the building permits, then the plans were wrong, so we had to re-do a pillar in the crawl space (dealer took the heat for that one and reduced the price of the home). Dealer also came in and saw what I was talking about with the finish work, so he agreed to knock another couple grand off the final price and that is when I finished the work - where the two halves came together, they were not getting an even finish. I got some 2x's and 1x's and build a wooden beam to hide there mess. Looks better than the original plan and dealer started doing that to other homes he was building. Some of the cracks in the corners were not getting fixed right, etc. Used Latex caulking for them so the cracks wouldn't reappear.

Oh, and be prepared for cracking for the first year. The dealer will probably tell you that they will come back after a year to fix any cracks from settling - don't call them before that unless you have some major problems.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

Thanks Aspeck,I noticed a couple of the model homes had a hump in the carpet where they were joined together..I hope thats not how the finished home will look..
How much can you deal with them on price? Is it normal to talk them down a few grand at purchase?
I'm new to all of this and greatly thank you for your help!

 

[aspeck]

Re: Bought some lake property

Yes, you can negotiate. Amd the carpet hump, well, when they put it together they will fill in the void better and you will not see the joint, but you will be able to feel it in your bare feet. Just the way it is. To do it differently they would have to NOT finish the last rows of plywood and install them on site so they would cover the joint. They are not going to take the time to do that, and that is impractical they way they are constructed. So, you will have to live with feeling it in your bare feet - not that big of deal, however.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

Thanks Aspeck, Just shopping around i have already found the same home i looked at for 20k less...
A dealer about 2 hours away has over 30 models set up that i'm going to go look at after my 4 week trip for work.
I can see where this could get confusing..
Thanks for the help!

 

[aspeck]

Re: Bought some lake property

Shoot me an email and I can send you pics of Mom's place - set-up to build. Be happy to help in anyway I can. All kinds of flavors and levels of construction.... you can pretty much get what you want - even story homes.

Edit - my email addy is listed in my profile.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

Wiil do...Thanks

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: Bought some lake property

Congrats. I have some lots on Lake Livingston. 1 is water front where I just built my pier, the other lots have my house on them (right across the street from my water lot).

You'll love it. We go every weekend. I think in 2 years I've missed 3 weekends not going up. It's so relaxing (even with a 2nd house there's a ton to do) but it's worth it.

Have fun

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Bought some lake property

Nice, nice lake! You may be sorry you put us Northerners onto this spot. I did a little googling on the area and I liked it. Property, of course, seems reasonably priced compared to New England.
I have a lot of family in the Raleigh area, so retiring to NC is tempting.
Good luck with your new home.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Bought some lake property

Gary, does the lake freeze over in winter? Sorry if that's a dumb question but I'm from a long way away! 8)

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

No,It doesn't freeze Triton II,The water gets to maybe mid 40's over the winter.
Most people that live there have pontoon boats they leave in slips all winter.
I will put mine on the trailer for winter.
My brother-in-law is already trying to sell me his 26 foot toon...it's one year old and he just wants me to take over payments.
I may do it after i see how much my house payment is.
Like i need 2 boats...8)

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Bought some lake property

After just returning from my Mom's lakefront property that was devestated by a recent flood you might want to check into flood insurance in that area. My Mom had none. Her lake never flooded in the 57 years she owned the property, but so many lakes and rivers the past several years are now flooding due to the changes in weather patterns.

I know its expensive to have this coverage and if you carry a mortgage in a flood zone, its required anyway. You might want to take some time to research flooding in the area and the cost of flood insurance.

Just a thought.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought some lake property

Thats a good point LadyFish..I will check into it..

Kwikk9, There is not very much land left.
They do have some 1/3 acre lots for sale for around 5 to 6k..
The price will keep going up.
I plan to build and retire there...

There is a marina for sale too...wish i could buy it!