Week 17: Oct 19 - 23

Oh the interest rates. Two weeks ago the interest rates were right around 5% if we were to commit to long-term financing within 60 days and 4.8% if we could finish in the next 30 days. Unfortunately, we were not quite within the 60 day time frame. Now that we are a little more confident in our expected completion date in early December, the interest rates have jumped up to 5.25%. It sure would make me happy if we could get back down to 5%, as every little bit helps.

Taping and texturing of the sheetrock is now complete. We went with a texture on the walls called Santa Fe. One of the main benefits of this texture is that if there is ever a need to patch a hole in the sheetrock in the future, it is an easy texture to match. The ceiling has a similar texture but the sheetrock mud has sand added to it to give it more body. It was fun to watch the guys put it on. They had an interesting system where three guys worked as a team. The first guy would put a layer of sheetrock mud on the sheetrock, then the next guy would come behind him and do the same thing but in different directions, and then the third guy would finish up by doing a swirling action with his trowel. I think that it has turned out nice and has definitely added character to the house.

Our poor siding guys keep moving ever so slowly forward one small section at a time. I am crossing my fingers that they will be finished early next week. They have started covering the front porch support poles with white trim.

I have been able to start turning on power in the house as the power company finally hooked the house up to permanent power. I can only complete outlets and fixtures in areas where they won't be painting which limits my work to the storage room and garage for now. Fortunately, all of the lights, switches, and outlets that I have connected have worked. I am depending on my electrician to do the 3 and 4 way switches as they are a bit challenging for me.

Our builder, Ray Ellis, has begun working on the trim work. This includes all of the closet shelving, base boards, and window highlights.

The yard was graded this week providing a better perspective of how the yard will eventually look.