In mid 2007, we bought a block of land in Shailer Park, Queensland. We were in the UK at the time, and we sincerely believed that we would build on it shortly after we arrived here in September. Little did we know that we would be frustrated by the ups and downs of life...my lack of competence as a manager, and therefore my ability to hold down a reasonably well paying job, and then illness (I had prostate cancer...and other stuff).
We've had a couple of tries over the years at selling the land, and got close both times, but then it fell through at the last moment.
I have designed many versions of our proposed house, each time it got smaller, and less ambitious. About a year and a little bit ago, we began to really seriously go for trying to get finance (now that Daile is earning a reasonable amount) and finally, not that long ago, and with help from Carly Hookem and her team (Lisa and Leanne) at Mortgage Choice in Beenleigh, we have managed to just step over the line.
We have really pushed the builders we've been involved with to find ways to make it work for us, and our 'oh so very steep' lot, and we almost made it with GC Homes on the Gold Coast, but after they pulled out, I was introduced to another builder, DJET in Manly. It's Dan from DJET (ably supported by Kate at C2Csupport ...the draftswoman/designer) that's come through for us. I'll keep you posted about how we go from here.
We have really struggled to stump up the 'contribution' that the bank needed over and above the equity that we now have in the land itself, but with a little short term help from family and friends (Thanks Wayne and Dette, and thanks Rae and Bob), we've made it.
It's with a great sense of gratitude, and humility, and thankfulness, but also trepidation, that we have finally begun the process of building.
I intend to put the process online here. I always intended to do this... and I now have a trail cam fixed to a tree...so I hope I'll be able to show quite a bit of it.
The following is Scott Thompson with his 24 ton digger https://www.earthmoving-demolition.com.au/, clearing the land. There are two vids, the first couple of hours, then about 6 hours the following day. He's still clearing and sorting today, and that footage should go on when I upload that soon. Then we're on to the excavation proper....
Ok....so...this is the start:
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