Anybody going to May 6-7 class? My husband and father-in-law are going. We are local and plan to build on our property in Duvall, WA. My husband and father-in-law will be most involved in the construction process so they are going to the class, but I am the one that reads the forums and likes to share/exchange ideas with others. We are curious who else is signed up for the May class and where they are from.
Shelby
Wow, you are quite local. A definite plus. I'm kind of curious though. Being local as you are, what brought you to your decision to take the class at this time? Have you recently moved into the area, or have you just discovered the class? I'm just curious as to how the "very local" locals come to be LHBA members.
If my question is getting too personal, I won't take offense if you tell me to "bug off." :lol:
We actually just became aware of the class and were quite surprised to find that Skip's ranch is just down the road....literally 6 miles max from our property! We bought our property a little over 1 1/2 years ago - beautiful 3 acres with well and 4 bedroom septic already in place. We have just been trying to decide what to build. We are currently living in a tiny 2-bedroom 1969 mobile home and our 38ft. fifth wheel travel trailer as our master bedroom (we have 2 kids). We looked at all the options...stick built, manufactured home, etc. We knew we liked log homes the best but our main objective was to build something without a mortgage (pay for it as we build) and just determined that stick built was not an option and thought that a log home (kit) wasn't either and we almost decided to go with an older double wide mobile that we could pay cash for and remodel but being hesitant, I started searching online once again for log homes and found the LHBA website. I didn't even know at that time it was local. I just liked the information on how we could build it from scratch ourselves inexpensively. I had never even thought of this as a possibility. I told my husband that I thought this might be a good option for us. He was also very impressed by the information found on the website and was gung ho to take the class and get started. It wasn't until then that I started looking at the location of the class. All it really says on the main pages is it is in the Seattle area. I was glad that it was local (I just didn't realize yet how local!) I then clicked on the link to directions and starting reading them and could not believe that it was between Monroe and Duvall! We were absolutely amazed and to think we had never heard about it from anyone around here. We decided then it was fate. We HAD to do this! The other deciding factor (other than the class was in our backyard) was knowing how it will increase our property value compared to a mobile home. Housing/property values in our area keep going up astronomically. We would not be able to even come close to finding property in our area now for what we paid just a 1 1/2 ago....and with a log home we will have something worth triple (at least) what we paid for it. We can't wait for the class so we can get more info. and get started! We are also curious to find other local members to talk to about how they've done this and hopefully be able to see their homes. We also found it interesting that people come from all over the country to take this class! We are so lucky that it is right here!
Still curious to find out who else is taking the May class.
Shelby
That's great Shelby. I figured you must have just discovered it. I too found this association while searching kit homes on the net. (and darn happy the search engine brought it up) I'm sure there will be more people checking in here. (there always is)
So Rod,
Have you build a log house yet? I see that you took the class in March of last year. If so, what have your experiences been? If not, what are your plans? What are your thoughts on the class? You can also tell me to bug off too if you prefer not to share. :D
Hi Shelby,
It sounds like you were meant to learn how to do this.
Awesome, I am hoping to get into a class someday here
in the near future but can't yet. Hope it all works out for you.
No, I haven't yet, but definitely heading that way. So far, I'm gathering tools and info, preparing resources for (most likely) off-grid living, drawn up plans and built my model, (links to picks in the signature line below) trying to liquidate current assets, and searching for property. As your husband and father-in-law will find out, one to three years planning/preparing is normal part of the process.Originally Posted by shrcek
The class is worth every single cent paid. It's too bad you won't be going yourself. It's an incredibly insightful experience. The class days are long, (typ. 12hrs) but just fly by. Sunday evening comes all too quick. I even considered taking the class a second time, but decided to save the pennies to put towards my build. Thanks to Ellsworth and Steve, we have this forum for anything that wasn't answered in class and to new leads and deals. Skip's home, where the class is held, is unbelievable. It's a testimate to any of the nay-sayers (kit home companies) that claim his style of building is sub-par. What can be better than taking the class within a structure you are learning to build. I could have moved right in that day I arrived and sent for my belongings!!! Once again, I say it's too bad you won't be taking the class, because you won't have the opportunity to see it for yourself. It's more than a house. It's a museum.
Get ready for a ride of a lifetime. Your headed for a great adventure!!!
I'm going!!! Not even close to being a native of the area though. We decided to give our 5 year plan a jump start. We are currently at year 0.5 and thinking of starting to build within 2 years or so.
Can't wait for the class.
Jeff
Yes, I wish I were going with my husband and father-in-law but we decided to save the $ toward the house since they will be primarily involved in the construction. I may go at a later time if they determine it would be beneficial. I will be mostly involved with plans, finding resources for supplies/materials and interior finishing/decorating. (The fun stuff!)
Shelby
When I went to the class, I went and had a beer at the local irish joint in Monroe, Phinicky's I believe. All the locals, who drink anyway, were in there on Saturday night, and were asking me why I was there. I told em. No one had heard of Skip. All of em were like. "yeagh man, a log home is what I want" I tried to advertize a little.
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