Ready to Roll - ish

Let's Roll!
As planned, the garage is sitting at the end of the drive way waiting for go time around 4:00 AM.  The garage is a tight squeeze against the house, but it cleared it by a few inches.  I get the sense that the house movers have navigated more complex situations.

As part of their process, they posted 'No Parking' signs along the entire street to ensure a successful escape.  Thankfully, everyone seems to be following the rules and none of our new neighbors will need to be towed.  That would be a terrible way to introduce ourselves.

Demo Delay
With a heavy heart, I have to report that demolition will not be tomorrow.  We are rescheduled until Wednesday.  A few things contributed to the delay.  First, the gas and water was disconnected a few hours later than expected, too late for the demo permit to be obtained.  Second, there is one outstanding item with plan that still needs to be approved by the city.  Our hope is to have both the demo permit and the approval of the plan tomorrow.

I really want to break the house into bits...

Tree clearing and garage steering

Trees - Cleared!
Today the trees were removed from the building site exposing the house in all of its moldy glory.  The site seems so much larger without the overgrown bushes.  All of the work up until now has been sort of invisible.  This is such a dramatic and visible step!

Before 

After

God wants our garage
With a twist of events, our garage will have a new new home.  St. Agnes church and school in St. Paul  has been in need of a 1.5 car garage.  Andy's boss just happens to be the brother of the Parish priest - and the dots were connected!  With a quick visit from a house mover and a phone call to the gentleman who had previously agreed to buy the garage, everyone agrees that when God asks for your garage, you give it to Him.  We'll still see the savings, and the church will get a garage :)

Here's the plan.  Monday morning, the garage will be loaded onto a trailer and moved to the end of the driveway.  Then, at 4:00 AM, the movers will drive the garage 5 miles to the church parking lot.  I am sure it will be very happy at its new home!

Closed and sold!

Loan - Closed!

Today we closed on the loan.  Over the years we have closed enough times to know that there was a lot of signing so that was no surprise.  This is, however, our first (and hopefully last) construction loan closing.  Learning about the disbursement process and role of both the bank and the title company are new aspects for both of us.  Bottom line, we will get to know Mike and Jean very well, so I have listed them both as Project Partners.

Garage - Sold!

The only nice thing about the existing home is the garage.  It's fairly new, so we tried to make it work as part of the plan, but unfortunately it is just in the wrong spot.  On a whim, I posted the garage on Craigslist for $700, must be disassembled and hauled away in a short 2 day window.  I got a flurry of responses.  But agreed to the first comer's offer of $300.  In the end, it will also save us $600 in demolition costs.  That's a happy $900 bump to the Craig-o-Meter!   

Our $900 YIPPEE!!!