Bought My First House

Nickc0844

Nickc0844

Owner and Tech. Rep
I finally found the one I was looking for!! After a hard hunt, I put a contract on a house in Canton (about 30 miles north of Downtown ATL). It is in the beginning framing stages now and is slated to be completed in late May. I am really excited about the opportunity, however, the process is stressful and nerve racking too.

So after the contract signing, Venture Homes Inc. set up an appointment with one of their design consultants. JEEEZ, how many choices do you get?!?! There were so many options, and believe me, they added up quickly.

It's funny what a detailer's point of view has in mind when building:
-extremely flat driveway
-extra garage lighting
-seperate outside water meter
-seperate water spicket w/o water pressure regulator
-site specific drainage

Not only that, I have plans to propose to Leanna, my wonderful girlfriend of 7+ years, next Saturday when I tell her I bought the home, so it'll be a double-wammy for her that day.

Anyhow, I wanted to ask my fellow members for hints and experiences I should be looking for while this process goes on for the next 3 months. ANY and ALL input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Wow, congrats on the new home, that is awesome. Being as I am but a college student I can't offer any suggestions on steps to take. I hope the build goes well, and that you enjoy many happy years with your gf and your house.
 
Damn Congrats Nick! :dancin

Atlanta DC Meet? How about a DC SouthEast meet? On that note, is anyone interested in a NC meet around here in the spring time? I'm thinking maybe March/April?
 
when it comes to building a house, visit the site on a regular basis and check on how everything is going. when my parents got divorced and my mom built a house, we ended up suing the builders. it seemed that they thought the sump pump hole in the basement was a suitable toilet. make sure you ask any questions you may have about the building process. i didnt have my house built and i knew the previous owners, so i was able to work out any quirks with them directly. in your case, bring up any problems you have immediately. other than that, just get ready to sign your name over and over and over again. congrats on the new house. it will feel a lot better making payments than throwing your money away on rent.

good luck on the proposal too.
 
I appreciate the info Audiboy. I want to keep taking pictures of the house to see the progress of it as well. As a wise man once said, "better to nip it in the butt early than suffer later."

Your SOOO right Dalmore. I had to ink some of the big ones then (hardwood floors, cherry cabinets, and some others). The good part about those is that we agreed on them while looking in the model. I think she would be a little ticked if she didn't have some input on the carpets, paint, fixtures, etc....

I made it sound like yesterday that the house fell through to another family, so I acted all bummed out yesterday when I met up with her. I figure I'll try and build up the disguise all week and then come Saturday, she'll REALLY be in for a treat.

Since you live so close to me now anyway, the new place is off Exit 14 on I-575, so not much further at all.
 
What sub division? PM me is you like. Maybe that will be a target for a nice top down drive Sunday if the weather is nice ...
 
Nick,

I know I am only 19 but I was extremely involved in the construction of my parents' new house, from design to CO. Since you've eliminated a lot of the steps we had to go through by building track, your job will be a lot easier. Bottom line is to be at the site every single day critiquing every bit of progress made. You may be amazed by what contractors try to get away with. If you see something you do not find acceptable, stand firm in your position until it is fixed. It doesn't matter what level of home it is, it costs a lot of money and you need to be happy in the end. Letting something slip by because it is a hassle will only haunt you later.

You will probably end up having a bit of experience in every stage of construction (plumbing, electrical, drywall, etc.).

Oh, one tip regarding fiberglass insulation. One very common problem here (and I imagine it is the same across the country) is that insulation is compressed into the wall between the studs. Insulation cannot be compressed for it to provide maximum insulaton. You will have either 2x4 or 2x6 framing (likely a mix) and the insulation should be flush with the interior edge of the 2x4 framing (side of the stud the drywall will be hung on). Basically, if they use insulation with the paper barrier already installed, the paper barrier should be stapled flush with the most interior side of the framing. If a plastic vapor barrier is used instead, the insulation should be touching the barrier. Long explanation but the bottom line is simple: do not allow them to compress the insulation unless absolutely necessary (wiring sometimes prevents insulation from being properly installed, but on a very limited basis).

What kind of siding will you have?
 
Congrats on the new house it's a big change but well worth the headaches. If you don't mind me asking who's the builder? So how big is the garage, is it bigger then the rest of the house? :)
 
Congrats on the new house Nick. I personally would go visit the house maybe 2 or 3 times a week and a day on the weekend to see how things will be going. I would also make sure everything is how and what you like. Dont be afraid to to tell what you what. I build and remodel houses for a living and I have seen people think they like something and once it gets put on they really like it and change it 2 or 3 maybe 4 more times more money for me of course. :naughty congrats.
 
Congrats Nick,

Good things come to good people and your one of them!!! Congrats on the house and your girlfriend.

You have a PM coming!
 
Congratulations on the purchase of a new home. big event! one that will make life a whole lot more interesting, IMHO!

i would go to the home when ever you feel like it. something that i did not realize when my home was being built. you are paying it. if it is not the last time that you build a home it sounds like the first any ways. stay involved with the process. get what you want.

put this under not to important but something that my house does not have is enough electrical outlets in each room also consider cable connections for each room. my home has a computer in each room. wish i had more cable connection for DSL broadband. just another reminder... make sure that the electrician, that does the wiring for you, can also write as well as read. when i move into my house the service box that denotes all the connections for the house had some hen scratches that i could not decipher. it did get fixed but not without turmoil. because, when you have a problem, it is nice to know what you are looking for. if this had been done there would have been a lot less tension in my house when trying to rectify a situation.
 
That is a good point that I'm sure is already aprt of modern home builds. A cable, phone and network connection in each room (including the garage) is worth it.
 
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