The beginning

I had the best phone call today from the bank. My loan has been approved! This means everything is underway! No more hoping this is going to happen. It is happening!

Now, I just have to wait for Simonds to pour the slab.

The other exciting new is that I went to 'The Colonial Lantern' shop in Ballarat. They told me about this wonderful thing called DIY lighting. She showed me a DIY pendant kit (see picture below). You just screw it into the existing light fixture and voila' - instant pendent!

Now I can't wait to have a ceiling and add hanging lights myself.

Do It Your Self DIY        http://www.oriel-lighting.com.au/ola2008cat/catsections/ola_diy/index.html

Signing in blood?

Yesterday was the day - the day of signing!

So much was running through my head (or should I say still running through my head); why didn't I study law or something so I could understand the contract wording; what happens if house prices drop and I'm left with a larger debt than the house is worth; what happens if I can't afford the loan repayments, bills, rates, petrol and food (can I eat less?); what if I chose a bad combination of colours; what if ... what if... OMG!

My solicitor, BJT Legal, were wonderful. They sat down with me and listened to me as I asked them questions about the contract (I used a lot of sticky notes). And after that, I felt much better. After all, I am doing this for me - the next step in living my life as an independent woman!

By the time I got to Simonds to sign contracts, most of my anxieties had receded. The Simonds' Rep, Danny, joked about how I had to sign until my hand cramped and I couldn't sign any more. But I was surprised at how easy it was to sign that much money away - lol - no cramps in my hand. I just hope I don't get cramps in my stomach from regret.

Who knows what the future holds. I know that I'm excited. I know that lots of things will happen (both good and bad) between signing and moving in. But I will move in, and life will begin. And that brings a smile to my face! 

The Floor Plan as promised



Here is the place I will call home.
The Crestwood, by Simonds Homes, was the plan that caught my eye.
And lucky for me they had a display home in the local area.
The only problem was that they built the upgraded model - which I didn't like.
The upgraded version expands the living room by another 3 metres (estimated). However, they only extended the house by about 2 metres and took the extra metre from the bedrooms and family area. This made the bedrooms too small (just over 3 metre) with no room for a queen bed. This upgrade also added another room between ensuit wall and bedroom 2.

My Crestwood floor plan



This picture shows my wooden floor area down the hall, kitchen and dinning areas.

It shows the carpet area to bedrooms, other hallway, family room and living room.

I like my version better.

I added a wall with double sliding doors to the living room.

It was surprisingly cost effective considering I now have another enclosed room (under $1100).

I also changed the bedroom 3 robe to mirrored sliding doors so that it gives more room for a queen size bed (under $600). I upgraded my sliding door to a 3 panel sliding door through one of their promotions.

I moved the kitchen island bench to the wall (for free) so that the kitchen is not walk through.

I love looking at my plans. It makes me so excited.

Even better is to drive past my block and see all the other houses starting to go up.

I have neighbours! (Well across the road).

Now, driving past any new houses being built is exciting.

My conversations are now about tiles and carpet, feature walls and window blinds!

(OMG, that sounds pathetic)

Next, I sign contracts! I'm sorry to the guy on Sunrise yesterday that was encouraging first home buyers to 'go on strike' and not buy/build home. I can't wait! I've waited for life to be right - with the market to be well priced and the right guy on my arm - it is never the right time.

So I decided to do what is right for me - to build!