How old is too old?

[Sean R]

I am turning 50 in the spring, no way would I want another child at this age. BUT I have two boys 15 and 16 (almost 17). If my wife and I only had one we might think differently. Having two kids close in age was/is a great experience for all of us. My sons were never bored they always had each other to play with.

Now with them being older, more independent and they would rather hang out with friends than dad ? It has brought back some fun for my wife and I. We moved 700 miles away from the closet grandma when my boys were 2 and 3, the wife and went years without doing a data night or going to a concert. We are partying like we are 20 again ?

 

[OCMD]

Build your own house. It gets done right. I built my main house about 25 years ago on a plot of land I got a good price on....instant equity 10 miles out of DC. I actually videotaped my progress for the day I want to sell, if that day arrives. The buyer will know they have a solid home, free from defects. The only issue now, I suppose, is the price of a buildable lot; can you acquire what you want at a decent price? If you can, build your forever home now. You won't regret it. Only regret I have is not going bigger but back then, money was an issue so we just did what we could. Alot of work, but well worth it.

 

[2kwik4u]

Only regret I have is not going bigger but back then, money was an issue so we just did what we could. Alot of work, but well worth it.

My uncle built his forever home about 25yrs ago. He did a LOT of the work himself, what he could, and used builder grade or otherwise inexpensive finishes everywhere. However, he did pack in as much square footage as he could muster. Trading cost in "nice" finishes for cost in square footage.

Over the last 20 years he's upgraded so many things. New kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Added rooms in the unfinished basement. Added on decks in the back. It's the same "bones" as the house he started with, but it's completely different on the inside now, compared to then.

If I ever build a house again (really bad experience with the builders in the house we're in now), I'll be doing the same thing. Inexpensive finishes everywhere, and maxing out the square footage for the future.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

My uncle built his forever home about 25yrs ago. He did a LOT of the work himself, what he could, and used builder grade or otherwise inexpensive finishes everywhere. However, he did pack in as much square footage as he could muster. Trading cost in "nice" finishes for cost in square footage.

Over the last 20 years he's upgraded so many things. New kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Added rooms in the unfinished basement. Added on decks in the back. It's the same "bones" as the house he started with, but it's completely different on the inside now, compared to then.

If I ever build a house again (really bad experience with the builders in the house we're in now), I'll be doing the same thing. Inexpensive finishes everywhere, and maxing out the square footage for the future.

We taking a different approach with the house that we are building. I did enough remodeling on my last home that I know what projects I do (and do not want) to tackle.

Inside:

• All of the flooring in our new home (approx. 3400 square feet). Had the builder just lay sheet vinyl on the first floor and leave bare plywood on the second floor. Will also be installing and staining the stairway treads and risers going to the second floor.
• Installing heated flooring in the master bathroom, so I had the electrician pre-wire this for me
• Tiling of kitchen back spash and master bathroom wall surround soaking tub
• Installing all of the house lighting that are not recessed cans, as well as the eight ceiling fans
• Insulating and drywalling the unfinished storage space about the garage

Outside:

• 500 square foot patio, with pergola and outdoor kitchen area
• Possible fencing of 1/2 of the back yard.

The projects above all have big markups when done by a builder, especially if upgraded materials are used. If I do it myself, I figure that I can save enough dough with the above list to buy my boat!

Jim