My New House & Workshop

[sgtsandman]

it might be worth consulting an architect and see what they have to say and how much they might cost. It might be well worth the investment.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I figured if I found plans I liked online I could save money versus paying an architect. However, a couple I know bought plans and they weren't that crazy about them. The builder tweeked them some for them and didn't charge them anything to do it.

You know you're in tornado country when your house is built around one of these rooms. The people I know building a house has one. There's has what appears to be rows of anchors with nails sticking out of them stuck in the concrete. My guess is so the builder can secure drywall or whatever to it so it looks like a normal wall when the house is done.

 

[2drxploder]

looks similar to some smaller bank vaults ive seen installed

 

[Jim Oaks]

I guess it costs $6k-$8k to add one. I'll pass to stay in budget. I can always add one in the shop later. Either build one or buy a metal one from Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[Curious Hound]

I guess it costs $6k-$8k to add one. I'll pass to stay in budget. I can always add one in the shop later. Either build one or buy a metal one from Lowes or Home Depot.

Just don't buy it from Harbor Freight or Dollar General.

 

[19Walt93]

Your town will tell you what you can build on the lot you own and will be taxed on? Needing a tornado shelter isn't something that would occur to me, I guess I'll stay in NH with the black flies, snow and sub zero weather.

 

[sgtsandman]

There is always the option of a hole in the ground as well. Assuming the water table allows it.

 

[Snoranger]

There is always the option of a hole in the ground as well. Assuming the water table allows it.

We call them basements.

 

[Jim Oaks]

There is always the option of a hole in the ground as well. Assuming the water table allows it.

I've seen in-ground tornado shelters float up out of the ground after heavy rains.

 

[sgtsandman]

I've seen in-ground tornado shelters float up out of the ground after heavy rains.

Nothing a few drain holes would fix to let the water in.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I got this message from my realtor Friday. It's a copy of the message he hot from the sellers agent.

"Hi Joey. I was trying to herd all 5 cats in one direction. Seems as though 4 of them have gone rogue. The one I talk to all the time was ok at 50k. He called to confirm that with one of the others, and he wanted 53k. He called the other 3 to confirm with them. They all wanted full price. Crazy. I'll call you in the morning. Sorry. "

So, my realtor thought that the property was worth $40k-$45k. I estimated it at $50k based on what it would cost for the building. Mortgage broker who's from the area doesn't think it's worth the $59,900 asking price, so I'm out. I told my realtor I'm not going over $50k. If I pay to much for the property, I could be in a jamb when I build a house and then try to combine it all in to one mortgage.

I'm bummed.

 

[RobbieD]

Sorry to hear that Jim. Probably not a comfort, but I believe that things work out for a reason. Keep looking.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Ya. I tell my kids that things may not always work out the way you want, but they generally work out for the best in the long run.

 

[SenorNoob]

Sounds like you need to move somewhere cheaper. I got 0.9 acre 2320 sq. ft. OLD (officially 1896) construction in need of a little work with a mobile in the back yard and both move-in ready day one for $46,500 in TN. I painted over some crumbling hardboard siding and the tax value just went to $71,000...

 

[Jim Oaks]

I found a manufactured home, mobile home, double wide, whatever you want to call it on 1.96 acres with a standard 2-car garage. The $120k price tag is what it would have cost to but a small house on the .29 acre lot with the big garage. 1.96 acres leaves me plenty of room to add a larger garage if I want. Not sure if I want to buy a mobile home. I rented one for 2-years, but never owned one.