Bamboo Flooring

We just ordered flooring samples for the house. We are probably going to go with bamboo because of its hardness, aesthetic and because it is an environmentally responsible choice. "Environmentally, it’s hard to argue with a wood-substitute that matures in three years, regenerates without need for replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides." Bamboo is also thought of as quite a luxurious surface by folks in India, because it provides a warmth missing in a place where many floors are marble or granite.

Another option for us is FSC-certified wood. This wood is more like the standard and exotic species more commonly used in the US. But the wood comes from trees harvested sustainably.

Finally, a third option is a hybrid approach. Weyerhauser has come up with a flooring system made from fast-growing eucalyptus trees. "Lyptus® Eucalyptus trees are grown on plantations certified to Brazil’s national sustainable forestry standard, CERFLOR. This standard has been mutually recognized by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), an international organization that endorses credible sustainable forestry programs." This looks like a promising alternative in a reasonable price range.

MAJOR UPDATE!!!!1

We closed today!!!!!

Do Over

Well, our closing was canceled yesterday because the mortgage broker didn't have all of his paperwork. Retry today at 4 PM.

Wallet's a Little Lighter

Just ordered the check from E*Trade for our closing on Monday. It's a pretty nice tidy sum. I guess I can party on my dirt after the closing, so it's a fair trade.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Closing

Monday.

Dirt Update

I realized I haven't provided an update on our house. We were originally scheduled to close on our lot on Friday, April 27. But we had a delay in getting our house plans to our mortgage broker, so he's had to scramble to get an appraisal. Plus, our seller, who asked for us to close on April 27, had to change the closing date. So it looks like we're closing next week. Cross your fingers.

We haven't moved any dirt, but we did get our tree permit. So that's a great step. In the meantime, we've been tinkering with house plans. We're really close to a floor plan and our architect is furiously working through elevations, too. Here are some of our ideas...




These designs are getting there, but not final. We also want to reduce the size of the house to a certain extent, too. Also, we're starting to look at finishes and bathrooms. We'll have more updates soon...

Lay of the Land

Well, we got good news about the contract. And we went to the property to take a look at the land and start developing a plan for the house. The first step in the process is to cut down some trees. Atlanta has a pretty strict tree removal ordinance, which we have to comply with. We talked with the city's arborist, who will approve which trees we can remove and which we can't.

We also are going to start working on the house plan. Today, we put together a list of things we need and things we we want. The plan should come together in the next couple weeks. Lots of drawing. Lots of dreaming. Lots of wishing. Hopefully I'll do some budgeting, too.

Well, with out further ado, the pictures:


This is a shot of Lake Claire Park, which is two doors down from the lot.




The view of Lake Claire Park from where our front porch would be.




The view up the current driveway. The green house on the left is right on the setback line. The property extends very close to that house.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part...

The Mrs. and I are in a back and forth with the owner of a piece of property in Lake Claire. We really hope we get the lot, because it is a great piece of property. We're not in a disagreement about price, luckily. Just a few terms.

Keep your fingers crossed.