Everybody is impacted by the housing slowdown. Contractors are out of work, truck sales are slowing, people who bought investment properties last year owe more than their houses are worth now. . .
However, for some things that is good. If you are planning to build something right now, we are getting the plans turned around fairly quickly. At one point we were returning plans within three weeks, which isn't too bad when you consider that several governement agencies other than us look at your project.
My wife and I are excited because if prices keep going the way they are, we might actually be able to afford our first home in a couple years. Maybe. As an inspector it could be a bit difficult because I am going to be very picky about the condition of the house and will probably research it to death. I also have some particular requirements for the layout because I have too many hobbies and my wife is a fantastic cook. Let me dream a bit: it needs a nice, open layout for the kitchen; a living room that will allow for a home theatre layout; and either a big garage or enough property to build one.
Most important are the structural aspects of the house. First, I would never, ever buy a house with a 1-coat stucco exterior. I don't really care for stucco in the first place, but that stuff is terrible. For those who don't know, 1-coat stucco is a system used here in California (I don't know about other places) where a special high-density foam board with wire attached is nailed to the exterior. Then, one 3/8-inch layer of stucco is applied with a thin color topcoat after that. It is much better now than it was when introduced 20 years ago, but it's just too fragile for my taste. The neighbor kids were playing baseball in the street the other day and put a dent in the stucco of the rental house we are in now. I suppose it's better than a window. My favorite siding right now is any of the products by James Hardie Siding.
Speaking of windows, that is the other priority for me. I don't like wasting energy if I can help it, and windows are very good at doing just that. Old-style single-pane windows just don't work anymore, and can be expensive to replace. Most newer homes have double-pane vinyl windows at a minimum, which work well but lack character and style. They are more expensive, but I prefer wood windows with either vinyl or aluminum cladding on the exterior.
Well, that's enough for now. Sorry I don't have any interesting stories for this post. It has been slow, as I mentioned, and as a result many of our more interesting characters have been staying away.
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