New Old House...

 At the beginning of this year, Dear One and I purchased an acre of land down the road.  Well, the bank owns it, but in 100 years we will own it.  We bought it, as we've always had bad luck with money with either him or I only working at one time and struggling all the way, and we thought since prices on everything are going up crazily, we thought it was about time to take the big step into the world of investing.

Anyway we found this acre block of land in a new estate and it has a covenant on it ensuring that all the houses have to be of a high standard, meaning we are certain the estate will end up a really lovely place to be.  And who can knock an acre of land.  We only have a third of an acre here where we live and the other day I measured the new block to compare it to this block so I could get an idea of how big it is compared to here.  It equals our block, the block next door on one side, and half the block on the other side of us.  Huge!

Lately though Dear One has been talking about selling this house and building a new home just how we would like it on the vacant block.  It's taken me a little while to bring myself around to thinking of leaving here, but there are a few strong reasons why I should be thinking about it.  Dear One is older than I am and the upkeep on a wooden house may be too much in time and possibly stairs might be a problem (hopefully he'll be spritely in his old age!) and we would like a bit more space from the neighbours.  The ones on our right are way too close and we have a vacant block next door.  No telling who is going to build what on that in time. 

Anyway, it started me thinking about the house we would build.  Since the house we're in at the moment is pretty well my dream home and I've planted 13 of my most favourite roses here, the new house would have to be pretty special, but I suppose I have to think about the future.  What if something happened to Dear One?  Would I be able to afford the mortgage on this place by myself, would I be able to afford to upkeep it etc etc etc.  Since the value of this house has gone up so much in the last year if we sold and built we would have more than twice the land, more space from the neighbours, be in the middle of a pretty, up-market estate and our mortgage would be a lot less.  Could I possibly work three days instead of five a week?  Boy, if that's not enough incentive!!  Yep, thought about that for three seconds, and working three days instead of five definitely swung it!!!   

Some of the beautiful magazines I've bought have ads in them for period style new build houses, so I thought I would show you some of the fabulous houses from one company I'm getting information from to help us decide.  This company is called Harkaway Homes and the following are some of the houses they build.  What do you think?  Should we do it?

The one above is the one I'm leaning towards.  It has the Victorian roofline which seems to be the one that appeals to me the most throughout all the pictures on the website and it is an example of the houses made out of sandstone type bricks, which is what Dear One wants to build with.  It has the verandas all the way around which also what Dear One likes.  I love the lacework around the edge of the veranda (I've always been drawn to houses with the iron lacework).  It looks very pretty and very clean lines.  I wonder what it would look like with the veranda being bullnose (curved down instead of straight like the house below).  Imagine how much fun it would be deciding what features you wanted!  

 

   

 

 

The one above is my absolute favourite!  Not sure though if it's the style, because they are all so pretty, it may be the colours that are attracting me to this one!

 This entryway is a similar style to what we have now, except this one is a little more ornate.  I love it!

Do I really want to move or am I just excited about decorating a new house....hmm, this will be a slow decision, but it is exciting to think about it.  We already have the land.... 

 

Comments

[andrea frost]

gorgeous houses all of them..and how lucky to be able to think about building a BRAND new gorgeous house...on a big acre!!
I am only leaning towards photographs no 2 & 11...(but I also love phots 4 & 8..but of course they are a lot bigger..and would be dependant upon site location...north/south sun aspect etc etc..
BUT I am sure you have all that under control...and ps..much prefer the verandah on no 2 than the bullnose one..
take care and good luck...cheers andrea

[Kathy Jacobson]

Hi,

How are you? How exciting...even the possibility of it. I say go for it too! Especially if it means you only have to work three days a week, that's a lot more time to spend doing the things you love.

All the homes are beautiful, it would be really hard to decide.

Keep us posted.

XO
Kathy

[Sandy McTier]

Those homes are gorgeous! I'm sure you will make the right decision - stay where you are or build a new house and with the land you'll always have that option! GOOD LUCK! We have land as well and can't decide to build or not stay where we are or not and it used to bother me daily until I gave it up to the Lord because I know he'll lead us in the right direction.
Have a wonderfully blessed day!
Sandy

[Melinda]

Hi! congratulations on your purchase! I say go for it...we are on an acre and just love having that space from neighbours - only thing is there is a lot more upkeep in the garden but hey if you are home more then all the better to plant some more roses and with your decorating skills your new home to be will be everything you dreamed of and more, Mel xxx

[Katrina]

Hello! These homes are gorgeous. My best friend built a Harkaway in 2005. Just beautiful. We are in Wagga Wagga NSW so this was the talk of the town when she built it. They have moved from there now. If you go ahead with it, I can ask my friends any questions about their experience if needed. Good luck and lucky you!