Pictures?

Here is a stack of wood that will eventually be walls:

In the background are houses that are almost done. Their foundations went in this fall. I haven't been inside of any of them, but it looks like all the exterior needs is siding and front steps. 

And here is the foundation-- it doesn't look finished, does it?

An Introduction. . .

Hi, Internet. 

I am starting this blog to chronicle my jump into adulthood by buying a house. Here's the start to the story:

Last October I heard about a housing development going up in Bar Harbor that was geared towards middle income folks on Mount Desert Island that could not afford to own property, but were the significant full-time/full-season workforce. MDI/Ellsworth Housing Authority bought 200 acres of land  that had previously been a part of Pooler Farm (a long time ago). The plan was to build 31 "green" houses designed by Coldham and Hartman Architects (who also designed College of the Atlantic's new dorms), who specialize in "cohousing". Basically, we share a small amount of space with the understanding that by pooling resources and building community we'll have less of an impact during the building process, and then of course, the living process. The houses are super energy efficient, insulated with recycled material, are solar panel ready (they come separately), made from sustainably harvested wood, and are just smaller than the normal house. The houses are essentially "kits" that are put together like modular homes, reducing costs in a number of ways. We had a choice of a two-bedroom or three-bedroom home, and then a number of specialized options that we could add on at extra cost. 

I met with the director of the housing authority, and really liked what I saw and learned. I had been looking at other ways to buy a house or even possibly build, but finances were always the limiting factor. This seemed to be the only way I was going to afford a house here on the Island. 

I went to the bank, and it only took a few minutes for them to approve a loan for $168,000. For those of you that are local-- Machias Savings Bank was GREAT to work with, and I really felt like they were going to put in extra work to make sure I got the best deal possible, even if that meant they didn't really make much money on my transaction.  I am hoping that I won't need to use all of that, but the complete tally hasn't been done yet. I did choose a couple of small options (an alcove in the living room being the best one), and I was able to choose the outside color of the house, the wood floors and cabinets, and countertops in the bathroom and kitchen. 

SO. All of this decision making was very exciting and by November I had the plans in my hands, and all we had to do was get through the winter, and they'd start building in the spring. But Spring has lasted a LONG time, so I was convinced they wouldn't be able to get a foundation in until May. I am having a hard time uploading photos today, so those will come soon! I was out at the site today, and my foundation is IN, but looks not done yet. I will keep everyone posted (as is the point of this thing. . . ). Please feel free to add in the comments section what you would like to hear about/see pictures of. Thanks for visiting!

Here in a Rocky Cup

Here in a rocky cup of earth

The simple acorn brought to birth

What has in ages grown to be

A very oak, a mighty tree.

The granite of the rock is split

And crumbled by the girth of it.

Incautious was the rock to feed

The acorn's mouth; unwise indeed

Am I, upon whose stony heart

Fell softly down, sits quietly,

The seed of love's imperial tree

That soon may force my breast apart.

"I fear you not. I have no doubt

My meagre soil shall starve  you out!"

Unless indeed you prove to be

The kernel of a kingly tree; 

Which if you be I am content

To go the way the granite went,

And be myself no more at all,

So you but prosper and grow tall.

-Edna St. Vincent Millay