Step 1 is STRESSFUL!

Building a new house is a lot of chicken before the egg scenarios.

But first let me tell you a little bit about the place we'd like to call home...

If we ever crack the mysterious chicken before the egg dilemma, "home" will be 10 acres of mature forest on 700' of the Thames River between London and St Marys. 

The property is absolutely amazing and everything we've ever wanted, and more!

 

The trouble with this property is that its beautiful landscape and unbelievable setting makes development a bit of a challenge. 

We will need the approval of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) which looks like it could be a bit of a hurdle. And if you're 5' tall like me, hurdles are hard!!

There is a bit of history with our new property. The previous owners had severed it off of their farm in 1998. Their intent was to sever the severed parcel into two 5 acre lots and sell them. During the LONG drawn out process, the owner got sick and decided to stop. But also during the process the UTRCA asked for an Environmental Impact Study... What is that? It's a large document that either supports or discourages the impact development would have on the land. Did you know that someone's job is to sit out in nature and count species? Who knew?! Sign me up!

What did the Environmental Impact Study say for the property we're hoping to live on for the rest of our lives (for real this time)? It says we have "Significant Woodlot containing the near extinct Butternut trees and threatened muscle and snake species."

So now we need to show the UTRCA that these things won't be affected or disturbed while we build a house here. We really don't want to disrupt any wildlife here, it's what we love about the property! 

But it's unfortunately inevitable. We will need to remove a few trees in order to build the house and put in the septic tank/bed. 

We met with the Woodland Conservation Officer this week, and he didn't see any issues with what we wanted to do. Yay!

Then once we have the approval of the UTRCA, we'll apply to Thames Centre for a building permit and then we can start!

Our current house is officially sold and will close mid-September. We need to get moving!

 

 The girls checking out their new backyard!

There are acres of Sugar Maples which means Maple Syrup!! There is even a (dilapidated) sugar shack on the property with all the equipment needed to make our own syrup... It just needs a good cleaning... And maybe some new siding. And the roof patched up. We'll be making syrup in no time 😬. 

 

We've been working on house plans over the past few weeks and are ALMOST there! Just a few revisions left to do and I think we'll be all set! I feel a bit rushed this time around, so I really hope the floor plan flows as nicely as our current house. 

Here's a sneak peak of the front... This was our first drawing. It's a bit different now!

This house will be a Timber Frame hybrid with Structure Insulated Panels... More on that later! 

Basically it will have exposed beams, cathedral pine ceilings and hopefully a relaxed cottagey atmosphere!