My name is Jess and adding a garage to the back of our homestead is one of my last major goals. Building a theatre is the last.
My wife and I chose to stay away from the rising cost of homes during most of the 2000's. We didn't know it was a bubble, we just knew we couldn't afford one. What was to become our house was sold by the original owner (1984 built) in 2006 for just shy of $600K. By mid 2008, the buyer was long gone, it was a repo, and we were finally ready to plant roots for our twin boys. We paid $330K. It has lost another $50K since then but I don't care, I'm here until the boys are through collage - likely longer.
I wanted room to build a garage, she wanted at least 2000 SF and single story. Obviously we got all that and a bit more. I got a beautiful covered patio w/attached gazebo and (broken) sunken spa. She got an old school brick fireplace and an office off the master. The boys got a huge yard and all the citrus they can eat.
The first 3 years have been small, but steady upgrades to the house and main yard. Now it's time for me. The property is already crossfenced and pretty much everything in the 'back nine' (other than the citrus grove) is fair game - depending on the final design.
I'm still up in the air about how to lay everything out. First ideas are to expand the existing barn into a 3 car garage or to build a modern "oblong box" service station tribute on the opposite side. ( http://www.historycolorado.org/oahp/oblong-box-gas-station )
I'm hoping spending time here on GarageJournal helps to finalize ideas, so I can procede to the building. Money is tight and, like everyone else these days, there is no equity. I'll find a way. The goal is to break ground in about a year.
Let me know what you think.
My wife and I chose to stay away from the rising cost of homes during most of the 2000's. We didn't know it was a bubble, we just knew we couldn't afford one. What was to become our house was sold by the original owner (1984 built) in 2006 for just shy of $600K. By mid 2008, the buyer was long gone, it was a repo, and we were finally ready to plant roots for our twin boys. We paid $330K. It has lost another $50K since then but I don't care, I'm here until the boys are through collage - likely longer.
I wanted room to build a garage, she wanted at least 2000 SF and single story. Obviously we got all that and a bit more. I got a beautiful covered patio w/attached gazebo and (broken) sunken spa. She got an old school brick fireplace and an office off the master. The boys got a huge yard and all the citrus they can eat.
The first 3 years have been small, but steady upgrades to the house and main yard. Now it's time for me. The property is already crossfenced and pretty much everything in the 'back nine' (other than the citrus grove) is fair game - depending on the final design.
I'm still up in the air about how to lay everything out. First ideas are to expand the existing barn into a 3 car garage or to build a modern "oblong box" service station tribute on the opposite side. ( http://www.historycolorado.org/oahp/oblong-box-gas-station )
I'm hoping spending time here on GarageJournal helps to finalize ideas, so I can procede to the building. Money is tight and, like everyone else these days, there is no equity. I'll find a way. The goal is to break ground in about a year.
Let me know what you think.