Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Must...exercise...restraint....

Here we are mid-week and I'm getting antsy for resolution of the various issues we have pending: the loan application, the home-building estimates. I'm doing what I can to push things along with the loan, letting decision-makers know that I intend to pay off my mortgage with part of the funds, that the payment is due the first of the month and that I would appreciate word by then.

Actually, responses are trickling in about North Carolina construction costs. They appear to be shockingly higher than they were in Delaware, at least at first blush, and that could be discouraging. But there may still be room for maneuvering--there are things we can eliminate from the design either because they are items--like skylights and a custom made TV cabinet--that would be nice to have but aren't really necessary, or things--like a huge deck--that we could easily do ourselves if the construction crew would just sink the footers for us. So we still have something of a row to hoe. My problem is that I just hate limbo-land. I like it when everything is put away and neat, can't stand living with loose ends. And so that's why I...must...exercise...restraint and remind myself that things resolves themselves as they will.

I wonder if this need for resolution means I'm a control freak? I guess I'll cop to it in certain situations. If I am personally invested in something that has direct bearing on my comfort level, then yes, I want as much control as possible over its outcome. But in group activities like games, I tend not to be much of a competitor. I see a game as more as a social pastime than as a medium by which to prove myself "better" than someone else. (That doesn't mean I don't play to win. I just don't get bent out of shape if someone else does. I've had occasion to be amazed when people I thought I knew well got terribly upset when they didn't win some silly game we were playing. If you're a social player like me, that can sure put a damper on the vibe.)

OK, enough rambling for the day. Have a good one.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would have thought construction costs would be lower. They are from varied reports out of S Bend, IN; Dallas, TX; and certainly here in Florida where I live. Can't imagine NC being higher than large Metro areas. Can you offset some of the cost by getting the land for less?

Anonymous said...

There is a grey area between control & organized as there is between judgemental and opinion. At least those are my thoughts.

I, like you, want to be on top of a critical situation and do all I can to ensure its sucess. If not, I feel as though, perhaps, had I only did---.

Not too surprised about the construction costs. Materials have gone up and some continue to go up in price.

Fingers crossed - stay busy with things you enjoy.

Ralph said...

That's a thought, Z&M, but we'll probably only get the land down by $15K at the most. The highest construction quote was a full $150K above the Delaware cost!

Ralph said...

Linda, material costs have gone up? I didn't know that. I thought everything was coming down in this recession along with fuel costs. Why would prices go up?

Anonymous said...

Materials - some up, some down, - depends on where they purchase, how far they travel, salaries etc.

Anonymous said...

We had 11,000 permits here in 08, 8000 canceled. The lumber yards were screaming. Prices dropped like a rock. We still are in a housing slump, builders are selling off inventory for 8% less than a year ago and sweetening the pot by pre-paying the buyers mortgage for 24 months. You live in the house for free for two years and during that time get the first time buyer $8000 tax credit. That is why the re-sale market is so slow here, so crappy. But NC?? C'mon Ralphy. Bid the thing to another builder.

Ralph said...

Oh, we're going to talk to quite a few, Z&M. And these aren't bids, just ballpark figures to see if it's worthwhile to go after the land.

Steve's sister and husband were here from FLA this weekend telling us about house insurance problems state-wide in Florida. No wonder nobody's buying!

Anonymous said...

Well, State Farm pulled out and I recommended the Viera Group to a friend who was canceled by State Farm. He said he signed up with Viera for $561 less and got more coverage, same deductible. He's a happy camper.