Did you get a 1:12 scale permit before starting construction? <g>

Good luck on your decision - I am not 10% sure I'd sell unless I had a plan B. If the price is that much higher - it might say something about the availability of good land in your area and push you down a non-happy path.

It is not my forever home...It is my for the next several years home. I will never be happy where I am, a few years after moving in I will start looking for a different house, different city or different country even. I have given up on ever finding a permanent place.

Building this house is a fairly low risk endeavor for us, which has been one of my drivers all along, or really more of a safety net, if it doesn't work I can always sell it for a profit. I am guessing that it will be worth $200,000 more than our cost to build, and while I realize that may seem high, I assure you I am being very conservative (the math alone is closer to $350,000). I am assuming the offer is coming from a builder and I assure you that even paying double for the lot he will make a good profit on the build.

However, I don't want to build a house for profit, I am not interested in being a developer. I prefer to make my money mostly on the efforts of others...I like the whole educational part of it, I like learning about all of it, I like modeling, I like designing it, and redesigning it, breaking it, fixing it and thinking of one more thing. But I always like the planning more than the doing. As we approach the doing phase some of my enthusiasm wanes.

Sell. The lot/location means nothing to you.

Do you have a significant other? Other family living with you? Ask what they think. They might want more stability than you do.

I love planning and problem-solving more than executing, too. Once I see a clear path to a goal, I lose passion, even for entirely worthwhile projects. If you haven't already done so, you might consider writing books. Each one is a glorious open field, full of potential and problems, much like house design and possibly as much fun. By the time you solve most of the problems, you have a draft. Then you have the problem of revising it. Then getting it it to readers. Writers don't tend to get bored unless they talk more than they write. They don't always do a great job supporting themselves, but it sounds like you've got that covered.

Just a few thoughts, worth what you paid for them. By the way, I love the traditional homes you've posted pictures of as your inspirations.

algeasea, as someone who has written a well regarded how to book, I don't recommend it at all for those who tend to lose passion. Writing a book is a lengthy endeavor where after you've written your passion, you then have to spend months editing. No thanks. I wrote one and never again.

cpartist, there's that. LOL. Maybe it just works for me. Each step of the process has its own set of problems and possibilities and that keeps me interested. I'll keep writing books, but I swear to God, one gigantic whole house rebuild is all I have in me.

We had a similar situation, but our needs and circumstances were different. We could have made considerable money on our land the day we closed on it. I asked the realtor if replacing our land would cost just as much, and she said yes, so it was a moot point. That, and we were planning our last home to retire in, so we would have had to found another lot, with a net gain of zero. We have a special piece of property, and it took us a long time to find it. In your case, it sounds like you should sell.

"... and Alexander wept, for he had no more worlds to conquer..."

Do you remember the Myers-Briggs personality test? Sounds like the classic ENTJ or INTJ restlessness. I'm an INTJ, and I get the "o.k., I've figured out this problem, the rest is just showing your work, so on to the next thing." I partner well with ISTJs, who are all about execution, follow through, details.

Maybe you could sell the current lot, and look for a bigger piece of land that offers more problems to solve.

bry, you're so interesting. If you are bored and need a project and love building models, you could post in the "How is Your Build Progressing" thread and offer to build scale models of people's dream homes. Not models done for planning, but models of the final real thing, like people have models made of their ships.

"I am bored as hell right now." Hmmm... maybe it's time to start researching new lots?

It's a nice problem to have, but I understand it's a challenging decision all the same. Good luck, and congrats! Sounds like you made a good investment.

Twice as much doesn't tell me much. Is this a $10,000 lot that someone is offering you $20,000 for or a $500,000 lot someone is offering you $1,000,000 for? For me, there is no way to analyze this without knowing how much is really at issue here. Call me shallow, but my decisionmaking can be affected by larger amounts of money...

Well yeah, there is that kudzu. We're all assuming it's a nice chunk of change he's going to make.

Well, it's an interesting question. For example, if you really love your house/location, how much would you have to be paid over its market value to get you to move? I'm not sure how much I'd have to be paid, but I do have a price somewhere way above the market value. What I am trying to get from the OP is whether the amount of money is big enough to be truly meaningful, or is it just a nice thing and the decision really boils down to the other factors.

How much will it cost to buy a replacement lot? If selling the lot will give you the money to buy a lot you really love then go for it. If you're going to be unable to buy another lot you like within your budget then I'd think about it.

I'm not sure how much I'd have to be paid, but I do have a price somewhere way above the market value.

Hey someone offers me double for my lot and I'm selling. I'll build my house somewhere else.

I might go for that...

You just received an offer for double what you paid on a lot and that is so terrible that you want someone to shoot you?

How do I get your life? I would gladly take your problems.

Sorry busy working out the decision.

There are no other similar lots, accepting the offer makes building nearly impossible.

The series of events that brought these lots into existence will hopefully not happen again. The developer was in the middle of the development when the market collapsed and many builders folded. They decided to reduce the square footage requirement for these lots to sell them. So the deed restrictions are not too bad, like 2,600 for 1 story, 2,800 for 1.5, 3,000 for 2 (iirc). Neighboring developments are 5,000 minimum.

There are a few lots inside the city but they are typically 60' wide lots, with a 2 car front load garage requirement, essentially you get a garage dominated home. These are affordable but will prevent me from building what I want.

The process of designing a house is driving me a bit crazy, but please don't take that as I don't like the lot, I do like the lot. Building itself was not something I really wanted, but I simply can't find or can't afford any suitable existing house. I prefer remodeling and rehabing to building, it is easy for me to look at a house and know what it needs, but that is very different than designing a house from scratch.

A month ago, I was so frustrated with the process I would have taken the offer immediately, but we finally were getting something I was very excited about.

@ uscpsycho

I will be the first to admit that this seems like a great problem to have. The offer is lucrative enough that maybe I should accept it, but I know that I will regret it if I do. I have spent a year working on building a house, it is not just something I considered, I am not sure that I can just walk away from it, even if I should.

"I prefer remodeling and rehabing to building, it is easy for me to look at a house and know what it needs, but that is very different than designing a house from scratch."

I chuckled when I read this. I am in the middle of a MAJOR remodel of a house. Rarely does a week pass where my GC and I don't talk about how much easier this would be if I was building from scratch.

This isn't just a facelift though, this is a major 180 for the house including an addition, a rooftop deck and lots of other upgrades and modernizations. Perhaps the difference is in "knowing what a house needs" and doing whatever it takes to get what YOU want even when the existing structure doesn't make it easy.

I would have been much happier and got exactly what I wanted if I could have just built from scratch. However, I am putting the effort in because I'm building what I hope will be my forever home. If you plan to move in a few years I can't see how either option (building from scratch of major remodel) is worth the headache. For me, it's been the most soul crushing, excruciating, agonizing experience I've ever gone through. I will never do this again.

Not sure if you've ever remodeled or rehabbed a house before but just wanted to give a different perspective.

Not sure if you've ever remodeled or rehabbed a house before but just wanted to give a different perspective. -

I have remodeled and rehabbed many houses, in fact, just about every house I have ever bought was in desperate need of remodeling. I have spent several million in remodeling costs over my life and I have also built two houses before but both under different circustances.

I would have been much happier and got exactly what I wanted if I could have just built from scratch. -

I don't think anyone can make this claim fairly unless they have designed and built a house from scratch. Because this is exactly what I said before I started, in fact, I can probably dig up an old post where I sounded exactly like you. After spending a year working on this my respect for the people who have done it has grown exponentially.

Remodeling has a set of constraints for you to work within, that limit your options. If you think designing is easy, then give yourself a 200' x 250' lot in an eclectic neighborhood and design your dream home. Then spend an hour looking at 30 people who designed theirs and see if you would change something. Now spend about every other day doing that for months.

"I would have been much happier and got exactly what I wanted if I could have just built from scratch."

I thought that until I started the design process. Even with a healthy (but far from unlimited budget) we aren't able to get everything we wanted. Being married to a husband who has his own opinions coupled with a difficult (but beautiful) lot to build on has forced me to eliminate many things such as a Butler's pantry (we entertain a lot and I have a large china collection) and flat backyard that I though were "must haves."

Many people also underestimate the cost of building and find that their budget creates unexpected constraints.

Budget creates constraints regardless of what route you take.

I haven't designed and built a house from scratch. I think it depends on your personality. Given the budget to do what I want, I'd be much happier if I could build from scratch. My contractor, who has done it all many times, agrees that would be a better experience for me.

Getting the result I want out of the house I have has been grueling. Especially since I'm a control freak who wants everything a very specific way. When that way isn't possible it leads to great expense or great frustration (when it is impossible at any cost, or when the cost is just too high).

Anyway, this is a pointless debate. We all have our points of view and preferences so there is no right or wrong. All I can say is that after this experience I am pretty sure I will never remodel again or build from scratch!

I work in higher ed, and for what it's worth I totally understand Bry. We tend to be interesting characters. Ha-ha. Money is not his primary concern, or the driving force behind this build. This is what happens when you get old(er), have worked in good jobs for a long time, have been (relatively) smart with your finances through the years, and are sometimes too smart for your own good. I've been known to torture myself with similar thought processes. It's a sickness. :) (I'm kidding......I think.)

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes you might find

You get what you need :-)

Then today we get an offer for the lot that is double what we paid.
Even after all the fees we have incurred so far it is quite a decent
profit and it really does simplify my life.

This offer came out of the blue? Then I'd ask for more. Not much more, but a little more. It seems you own a unique piece of property, and the potential buyer knows it's difficult to find it elsewhere. If he wants it, he'll pay. If not, you sell it, and you continue with your plans. This is a win-win for you.

Does anyone else play this little game? I *mentally* make my decision one day, then wake up the next day and discover what I feel. Am I happy with the choice? Am I really, really sorry? Only after THAT do I make it real.

bry911, I'm surprised this is such a difficult decision for you. You have already stated that you know you will be ready to move on in a few years, that you would never be happy living in your present location, so there's no great attachment to this piece of property. So it seems like a simple pros and cons list would clarify the situation in your mind and lead to a decision. Since you don't love the area, maybe you need to ask yourself which you would dislike more---starting over with your housing plans or giving up a tidy profit?

@ chisue That is like the flip a coin and if you don't like the way it turns out then you realize which option you actually preferred.

@ sail_away - There are still two immutable facts (1) We have to move somewhat soon. (2) We can't find a suitable alternative. Whether or not I stay there the rest of my life or 6 more years is really not part of the equation. Honestly, neither is the money, that I have, but the escape hatch I am considering because one month ago I just wanted out.

Everyone keeps saying that I neither love the idea of building (which is true) or the area (which is not true). I do love the lot, the area, the neighbors and everything else about it, and my travel time will be less than 5 minutes to work. I have consistently been stressed by the constant need for otherwise good and intelligent people to constantly one up each other with larger houses and battling fitting in while staying true to what I want. But don't mistake that for not liking the lot or the area. I am somewhat stressed over spending too much time and effort both communicating and designing what I want, as again - not my dream.

Update: We still haven't said yes but did put an offer in on a 175 year old Italianate home. If everything goes well with it we will sell the lot and do that instead. If not we will just continue with building. Frankly, we decided to turn down the lot offer until a friend sent me the listing. It is a little farther from work than we want to be, but is a home we love.

>>>is a home we love

Good for you. Best of luck.

Why would you model the framing? Will you model the wiring and insulation too?

DO IT.

Makes me think of a boat inside a bottle. No purpose other than a hobby and looks cool.

Perhaps work in the HVAC, plumbing, and associated bulkheads too :D If you ever do build this there is slim chance they can mess it up as they have something to reference.

Update: Funny and annoying story - Our offer on the other house fell through but we decided to sell anyway and stick it out here for 5 more years. We have two kids who are going to be attending the same university and so we thought some financial flexibility would be good during that time and we were already tossing around the idea of waiting, so we signed the papers last week. I was surprised that I didnt regret the decision especially considering it had been so incredibly hard. Then yesterday another offer came, there was no amount on this one, but now I am wondering...

What was the outcome? Did you get shot?

It looks like he either deleted his account or he was banned by the powers that be.

I hope nobody fulfilled his request!?!

Hey I didn't think his commentary was that bad.

It's always amazing to me the internet warriors.... type it, own it. Otherwise, you're a pansy.

That's why I don't post on Facebook or anywhere else where I have put my real name. I think lots people behave differently in different social situations and it can get messy when you mix disparate groups.

I am "lucky" in that my company expects me to have an online presence and this is ZERO to do with my job role, and frankly, no one cares. However, I own my comments and I don't post anything online that I wouldn't say standing in a room with people. I find that people that often "hide" behind online personas contributes to an overall lack of civility. So, I simply don't post anything that I wouldn't be comfortable being associated with me. It's part of the "what you see is what you get" of my personality.

So you're a giraffe?

I'm laughing, but I'm not understanding!

Good one!

Ohhh, the avatar!

I for one will miss bry911's commentary. Sounded like he (I think bry's a guy) knew what he was talking about when he provided advice.

Smiling about the giraffe comment!

Anyone else think DG is bry911?

Of course. So transparent.

/yawn.

I think I saw this TV show years ago; the real bry911 will be asked by John Daly to stand up at the end of the segment.

He's behind Door Number 2...pretty sure!

Well this drama lightens the real drama of "building a home".