Well, it looks like this process may just kill me.  We’re still waiting for final approval from the city and water department.   We make their request for changes and they come back with more requests for changes.  I appreciate their thorough approach to development, but it doesn’t make the waiting any easier.   We’ll eventually dig the foundations and build the houses, but this process is excruciatingly long. Know more about Sammamish Homes.

Did I actually say there is a certain satisfaction that comes with a day of good hard work?  Building 270 feet of fencing is certainly a change of pace, but my back got absolutely no satisfaction out of the process.

I’m hoping the next update I share with you includes the first phase of construction!!!

The post Mr. Brandt Builds a House Week 16 appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

We’re deep into hurry up and wait … again.  The lots are ready to go, but now we need the Sammamish water department to sign off on drawings and thankfully, this is almost done.  Then the city needs to approve the final plat (a much longer process than one would think).
 
We still have to get the house plans approved, but for an extra couple thousand the city of Sammamish will review the plans concurrently with the plat approval.  Funny how sometimes you can ask a question over and over until someone gives you a different answer.  They didn’t think it would be worth mentioning the concurrent plan review because they didn’t think I’d want to pay $2000 to make it happen.  They were right, I didn’t want to, but construction starting in January or February sounds a heck of a lot more appealing than in March/April.  Why?  I want to list these in the spring market.

In other news, we were required to cover the lots with hay (which is cheaper than straw) to minimize runoff.  The Iceberg rock found a home!  I wanted it to be part of the rockery, but sadly it is covered by the retaining wall now and you really can’t see it.

A Sneak Peak from our Next Episode:

There is a certain satisfaction that comes with a day of good hard work.  And there is a good feeling when you see something that you’ve built.  That said – my back isn’t buying it.  After installing nearly 300’ of fencing I can tell you my back would have much preferred if I’d paid someone else to do it.

Why did I do it?  As I sit here with a sore back the first word that comes to mind is, stupidity.  But the reality is sometimes it is nice to have a little change of pace.  And doing it myself offset the few thousand extra I am paying to get the plans approved concurrently with the plat.

The post Mr. Brandt Builds a House in Sammamish, Week 12 appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

It’s week eight and the site is finally leveled and we’ve got a fire hydrant!  I’m not going to lie, it’s been a learning process every step of the way.  Save the driveway – nah.  Miss tearing the cable off the roof of the house – nah.  Keep the fence – nah.  Oh and miss the gas and power lines when digging the trench – that’s optional right?  Did I mention the sewage line?

You could say we were lucky to avoid an explosion.  After my last meeting with the city, I can honestly say I was less worried about the jobsite blowing up, and more worried about me blowing up.   You know you’ve received special treatment in the city permit department when the other staff members apologize to you on the way out the door.

The post Mr. Brandt Builds a House: Week 8 appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

In my recent interview on AM 1150, I talk about the advantages of living on the Eastside.

The post New Construction Picks Up for Sammamish Homes appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

Anyone want a really big rock!  Seriously, we finally dug up the iceberg rock and installed the sewer lines.  Progress right?
 
Well, the latest on the iceberg rock is we can’t move it … the excavator put it in a spot where it could be used as part of the rockery.  However, he returned the big machine that he needs to move it.  The small mover we’ve got on site one won’t budge it.  I wanted to incorporate the rock into the landscape somehow, but I still need room for a house.

The post Mr. Brandt Builds a House in Sammamish: Week 5 appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

Whether you live in Seattle, Sammamish, Bellevue or Redmond, it’s that time of year to get your house ready for winter.  While we don’t get as much snow as some parts of the country, we do have our fair share of storms, water and wind, so here is a short list of must do maintenance. 

 Turn it off and cover it up. Remove garden hoses from outside spigots and inspect hoses for wear and tear. If it’s still in good shape, drain it and store for next spring. Shut off outside faucets or if you don’t have a shut-off, use a faucet cover to insulate and keep your pipes from freezing and breaking.

Check the roof. Clean out the gutters and take note of any missing shingles. Pay special attention to split wood shingles or bare patches on asphalt shingles. This kind of damage signals the roof is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced. Check seals around the chimney and vents.  If you have a problem with moss on wood shakes and asphalt shingles, control it by installing zinc strips or powder.  Tide detergent also works, but can make the roof slippery, so be very careful.

Access the attic. Be on the lookout for water stains or mold. Water stains may indicate a leaky roof or inadequate ventilation. Mold is caused by condensation resulting from inadequate air flow. Make sure soffit vents are unobstructed by insulation to ensure proper ventilation in the attic.

Fix the Furnace. Have the system inspected by a professional annually to maintain the warranty on the system. If you don’t keep up regular maintenance with your heating and cooling system, mold can grow in your house, it can cause a fire, and the performance will be inefficient leading to higher energy costs. Replace filters once at least every six months. Drain the water heater annually.

Seal it up. Inspect caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows. Re-caulk and weather strip as needed.

Check the grade at the foundation. When you check your foundation, there should be at least six inches from the ground to the bottom of the siding.  You also want to make sure the ground slopes away from the foundation to minimize standing water. Cut back any plantings from the side of the house to prevent rot and a favorable environment for pests.  Make sure all downspouts direct water at least 10 feet from the foundation.  If you have drains, make sure they are unclogged and free of debris.

Be safe. Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, replace the batteries. 

The post Winter Checklist for Sammamish Homes appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

It’s week three (or four…I don’t honestly remember).  We’re at least a week behind where I thought we’d be…but that’s par for the course on a subdivision (at least when you have a rookie in charge…aka me).

You learn lots of little lessons along the way.  I’ve always hated how the big builders clear everything off the lot, so I chose to only remove those trees that had to go.  Turns out there were a few more that had to go once we started digging.  Now I get to meet with the city to get my hand slapped.  Not sure what to expect…but it’ll be nothing if not interesting.
 

We had a crazy deep hole – 20’ down and some big equipment and a trench box to keep it safe.  The hole was to install the sewer lines to the back of the lot. They have to be graded so they drain with gravity. Once installed, the lines have to sit for 30 days, and then we run a sewer cam to insure everything held together.  We’ll also have shallower trenches for water, power, and cable.

Once all that is done we can submit for final plat approval, then submit house plans, then hopefully get our three foundations in (if I have any money left).  Lots of work, but its fun being able to create something again.

The post Mr. Brandt Builds a House, Week 3 appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

Well, here it is: I bought a lot, subdivided it and now I’m building a house (or two or three and eventually a fourth).  After building homes in Snoqualmie Pass and Ocean Shores, I’m bringing it home and building in Sammamish. I’m documenting every step of the process, so check out it out from the very beginning: week zero.

The post Mr. Brandt Builds a House: The Beginning appeared first on Sold on Sammamish | Real Estate Sales and Listings.

Here are some suggestions to successfully manage this year’s spring cleaning. For those who approach it with textbook ideals, Martha Stewart’s checklist provides detail and strategy to shape up the nook and crannies. If you’re less like Martha, then think simple. Organized Home blog suggests five ways to tackle the job — wash the windows, open them up for fresh air circulation, use outdoor flowers for indoor arrangements, clean out the refrigerator and freezer, and store winter clothes. Covering these major categories make for a good tuneup.

The Seattle Times suggests that households inventory cleaning supplies before buying more. Using everyday household items and homemade solutions will minimize toxins, have little or no environmental impact, and save lots of money.

• For cleaning windows and other glass surfaces, coffee filters are a great alternative to newspaper or paper towels.
• A disinfecting solution can be made by mixing one cup of alcohol, one cup of water, and one tablespoon of white vinegar.
• To create an all-purpose, add one-quarter cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water.

If spring cleaning still doesn’t appeal, focus on the goal. Paring down, clearing out, and purifying the air requires some physical labor, but doing so will renew the inner spirit and get your household ready for the warmer weather. Once late spring hits, families will want to be outdoors, not indoors cleaning. Take advantage of the rain so you don’t have to miss out on the sun.

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http://youtu.be/eSUC3AHekRs

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