The story so far

First post, just to bring readers up to speed.



On the Hunt

It is near the end of August, 2014.  We have been hunting for a property for a while now, and the search is starting to wear on us.  We are, however, resolved to find one that suits us.

Criteria for a building site is a list of potential compromises.  No site is ever perfect.  Below is our list, which is roughly in order of descending importance.

• Affordable.  A subjective term, I know.  Still, money is a limiting factor.

• High and dry lot, with little to no risk of flooding.

• Good southern exposure, suitable for passive solar & photovoltaic.

• Rural, but close to the city we currently live in, Peterborough, Ontario.

• 1/2 acre lot minimum, preferably more.

• Sloping lot ideal for walkout basement.

• Good road access to town, no unmaintained roads.

• Natural setting, or view (forested, farmland).

There are more factors, of course, but those are the main ones.  When evaluating a potential lot, ones we just cannot afford, or that are flood prone are quickly weeded out.

The rest is where compromises begin.

The 'Design Phase'

This is the term I like to use when discussing where we are at in building this home.  The Design phase.  It sounds better than the Still looking for a property phase.

Witty remarks aside, this is a legitimate phase of construction.  In upcoming posts, I will go over various aspects of the design phase, as well as explain some of the choices we are making, and why.

The first post, Design I - Getting Started, explains how the decision to undertake the home's design came to be.