It’s overwhelming to see my dreams come true. I honestly feel so spoiled and that I don’t deserve this the majority of the time. My house is turning out more beautiful than I imagined, and it all feels so surreal. I mean, you are talking to the cheapskate girl who loves to shop at value village, who has struggled many times in life financially and who always dreamed of just being happy – with or without having money. But having this blog has allowed me an income which has allowed these dreams to come alive. So thank you dear readers, for following along with me over the years, and sharing my site with others.
After we bought the 5 acres of land, we started researching what would be the best house plan and which builder to choose.
Y’all know I am a cheapskate.
And we had a pretty tight budget as well. So I knew we couldn’t afford a house probably bigger than 2700-2800 sq. feet. So we went to sites online like dreamhousesource.com and my husband really liked the look of this house’s exterior. We also went to all the less expensive building companies such as Lexar and Adair to look at their house plans. I really liked this Adair house plan and we were going to go with it. However with all the upgrades needed I felt a little bit ripped off by all these companies. The base price was great for these companies, but the upgrades would get you. At this time I talked with my future neighbor who also purchased one of the 5 acre lots and she recommended I look at the prices of Olin Homes as that’s who she was going with. I went down, talked with them and fell in love. The prices were the best I had seen, and they didn’t gouge you with the upgrades. It was the perfect fit for me.
The house plan.
I showed our builder Dean Olin some of the designs I loved and layout choices and together we figured out the perfect layout. The house is around 2800 sq. feet, has a beautiful exterior (which my husband loved) and an open layout design (which I loved). My husband and I have always been a bit old fashioned and love the look of colonial homes so we chose a grand front porch with pillars. Everyone that sees the house thinks it’s a lot bigger than it is which is great! Dean created the layout for us and we have been happy ever since. The price, the layout and the builder were a perfect combination and we signed away to build it.
Here is the house layout design. (click on image below to see it a little bigger)
My favorite is the open dining/living room/kitchen area and huge walk in pantry. I literally cannot wait to see the cupboards put in later next week. My husband and I wanted our house to be our forever house. A house to grow old in. So we built the house with everything we need on the bottom level. Our master bedroom, the kitchen, and we added washer dryer hookups in our walk in closet. That way if our knees don’t want to climb the stairs someday… we won’t have to hike it up to the main laundry room. I wanted big windows to look out on our 5 acres so we have plenty of windows all over the place. We saved money by having a smaller master bedroom and garage. We do regret making the garage so small – so someday we may have to build a shop or something when we can afford it.
So here’s the house…
My favorite place is the kitchen… I am in awe every time I look at it! I will likely be spending all my time in there…and that view out of the kitchen sink? Oh it’s just heavenly.
I know, I don’t deserve something this nice when so many people struggle in the world with no home or place to live. I feel almost a bit ashamed sometimes when I think about it, but then I know I have also worked really hard for many years to save up for my dream to come true. I have always wanted to have my kids learn the value of hard work on a farm, and to know how to grow fresh delicious food from the garden. I hope I can do something good with my 5 acres someday. Maybe be able to give back in some way to those in need.
I want to let you know that the Lord my Heavenly Father is amazing and has been with me throughout this process, guiding me with his strength, helping me make decisions, helping me to stay on budget and not want more than I need. Helping me with patience, love and understanding and I am so grateful for that.
So anyways… I will be sharing many other great tips and tricks I have learned throughout this new home building process just in case there are others out there that want to save money while building a new home. And may you all be able to one day live your dreams as well!
I love it! There is so much light and the kitchen looks amazing!! I am so happy for you! It looks perfect!
Thank you! I am so excited about the kitchen, and these pictures don’t even do it justice. I need to take more pics soon… 🙂
Looks awesome! Can hardly wait to see more! I love your honesty and am so excited for your family!
Thank you NaDell!
Youve been blessed. I know how you feel. And never forget what youve come through to get here. What a beautiful house!!! Every time I use my dishwasher…heh, daily, I am so thankful. I never had this our first 10 years of marriage. And yes, this builder does a very nice job and reasonable. Were in the process of my parents building a home…downsizing. I think were using this man or a relative. Who did your cabinets??
Diane, thank you so much. No dishwasher? That would be so tough. I don’t know if I could handle it..LOL. The cabinets were done by Tri-City Cabinets – but Olin Homes does not use them regularly. I love the guys down at Tri-City Cabinets though, they are awesome.
Congratulations!!!! I’m happy for your family.
Thanks so much!
Congratulations on your new home!!! It looks really nice….
Thanks Rosa!
God has truly blessed you and your family, enjoy and continue to give him the glory for all his gifts.
I surely will Eileen, thanks!
So flipping excited for all of you! God is good and you’re going to do wonderful things on the farm. Can’t wait to see more, Karrie!
Thank you Joannie, He is so good. Feeling so excited too – can’t wait to get out there and get to planting outside.
How exciting! I’m so excited for you! Wishing you many, many, happy years here!
Awe, thanks so much!
Congratulations on your beautiful home. I believe you have worked hard, shared generously, and definitely deserve it. Enjoy.
I can not begin to tell you how much it made me smile to see your lovely face peeking out of the door of your new home!! You all have done an amazing job stretching every dollar–and with a house full of kids to boot!– so don’t feel guilty for one minute about your new home. Truly, it is well deserved.
I’m glad to see all your hard work pay off, and happy to have some very small hand in it as one of your readers. So many of your posts have touched our lives every day, without your even knowing it. In fact, your country oatmeal bread graced our Easter table, and I used the spider spray to keep the guests from walking through webs at the front door! 😉 You’ve alerted us to deals and ideas that have saved us many hundreds of dollars, and allowed us to breathe easier in our budget. You have blessed so many of us, and it’s nice to see those blessings coming back to you. Wishing you and your family every happiness in your new home! Can’t wait to see the pics of it when you have finished decorating! (I’m imagining something like the stunning open kitchens/living areas on HGTV’s Fixer Upper–warm and welcoming!) Congratulations to you all!
Thank you Marie!!! That is just the nicest thing I have heard – thank you so much.
So happy for you and your fam.beautiful home congrats
Your house is beautiful! I am so happy for you and your family! 🙂
I just found your blog looking for a detergent recipe and just love it. The home is beautiful. I understand the doing without and saving to get there. Did that myself. In approaching retirement I wanted to work less and write that book that everyone said I should write (actually on book 4 now, the first two going to #1 on the best sellers charts, and the third a Christian best seller) and we downsized. Love my little bungalow with no mortgage but definitely shared in your joy with your fabulous home. Enjoy every second. Lin (Writer L.B. Johnson)