*Deflated*

[logsurfer]

All set to sign up for the class when *BAM* hit the California Brick Wall. Has anyone come across folks that are not of the wealthy background trying this in a state 'legally' where you clearly must take out a loan (LAND-CONST.) since the whole permit process I'm told could eat up at least 100K...but in the end to secure said loan...You HAVE to have a licensed contractor which defeats the whole purpose of building your own log home! Wish I could move...but no. I'm feeling nearly beaten...similar experiences?? Thoughts??:mad:

[logsurfer]

If anyone can tell me how to contact Jeff and Katie who built their home in California on Bear Lake....just to perhaps get some advice, it would be much appreciated! :)

[Shark]

There are members that built in CA, but as you noted, permits & such can get steep. I would guess it really depends what county you plan to build in as well, that can have a big difference on things.

Best thing is call your county building dept, and ask exactly what you need (permits, tests, etc) & how much each one costs.

At least then you can decide if you can build, or if you want to move out of state lol.

[logsurfer]

HA! Thanks Shark...indeed it gets steep. There's permits for everything I could possibly imagine. Soils-EPA- building/planning-fire marshal- salamanders mosquito's...the list goes on~ What a can't comprehend is having to hire a General Contractor just to get a loan for anything...DYI does not fit their understanding...frustrating to say the least...keep chopping away. Did you get a loan out in IN?

[Scoutman]

CA will only get worse (yeah, it's possible). The govt there thinks they can keep raising fees and taxes to improve their economy. Ain't gonna happen. I was stationed in CA for three L O N G years. Couldn't wait to leave. If I hadn't been locked into an enlistment I would have thrown away 15 years to get out of there. Northern CA may be your best bet. But then again.......

[logsurfer]

I am in NorCal thank heavens...SoCal scares me something fierce. But I would absolutely agree with your GOV comment...it's utterly insane the way things are going. It appears as though I may have to give up all rights to my next born just to try and fulfill this dream of building a home of my own, that I can pass down to the next generation. I so desperately want to take this class, though every time I check into the prospect of doing this ourselves (with limited help) I am discouraged by everyone and everything in our path. There's gotta be a way! Hope to hear from someone in CA who's made this happen. :O Good to hear from ya Scoutman! Oh yeah, and Shark..loving your website!

[Scoutman]

Take the class anyway logsurfer. Never know what may happen in the future. And you never know when the next class will be. Where at in NorCal? I was stationed in H3!!. L. freaking A. 94-97. I must get back there occasionally tho. My daughter and grandkids are still there. And trying to escape. Told them I would build them a home anywhere if they would only leave there.

[logsurfer]

I suppose your right in regards to the class...the Lady surfer is ready and willing..that's a +. We are near the coast of Santa Cruz. Searching tirelessly in the mountains for land. Realtor s tell me that it could be around 2 year process to get permits and such. I guess being over 40 scares me that the time is nearly past to start such a dream. Have you taken the class? Plan to? I hope to make the June class...see what the lady says

[Scoutman]

I'm taking the class in May. And looking at 10 acres across the street from where I live now. Don't give me that "over 40" crap!! I'll be 55 this year and I WILL build my dream! I wish I was your age when I found this site!!

[logsurfer]

Sweet! HA! Point Taken Scout...Thumbs High!

[Scoutman]

I'm running into my own problems here in GA but I will make it work.......somehow. Even if I have to build and get fined.

[LogSurfer2]

"The lady" here.....we did toy with the idea of building (without permits) but this area is crazy scary if you get caught building w/o permits!!! One property we saw had two houses built without permits and whoever buys the land (listed VERY cheap at $99,000 for our area) will need to get & pay for a permit to demolish and may not be able to build again, even with permits!!! I swear, paying government to tell you what to do is really pissing me off these days! I guess the one silver lining we have right now is the deflated market....prices are vastly better than they were 3-4 years ago. Praying the good Lord has the perfect, affordable piece of dirt to build our dream when the time is right....till then we'll just keep trying until it happens.... ;-)

[Scoutman]

Nice to meet you lady logsurfer. I know the prices are alot better than they were a few years ago. Good luck in your search. Go ahead and take the class. Can't go wrong there.

[mellowmoose]

I'm also over 40... a few years, and plan to build myself. And I'm a woman, so no whining!!

[Scoutman]

Great attitude mellowmoose!! Where?

[logsurfer]

Nice! Props to you Mellowmoose...The lady surfer keeps reminding me that I am not to old to start such dreams....whining over! Now Alaska sounds like a truly ideal environment for such a project...less hassles with Big Brother up there MM?

[rreidnauer]

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness . . . . provided you're willing to pay for it . . . . they'll accept your first born.

[Scoutman]

How about the last born.. Willing to give it another "shot".

[pinewood]

logsurfer stop the old man talk! I am older than you and Scoutman. Attended class in February. As excited about this as I was waiting to turn 21.

~Dane~

[Scoutman]

love the attitude. and the gumption. I'll get this done.......or die trying.

[lilbluehonda]

If your trying to build in the Santa Cruz Mountain's I can see why ,where are looking to build further North is a whole lot EZr ,Butte county got devastated by fires a few years ago now lands cheap and permits are not to much of a problem

[Shark]

HA! Thanks Shark...indeed it gets steep. There's permits for everything I could possibly imagine. Soils-EPA- building/planning-fire marshal- salamanders mosquito's...the list goes on~ What a can't comprehend is having to hire a General Contractor just to get a loan for anything...DYI does not fit their understanding...frustrating to say the least...keep chopping away. Did you get a loan out in IN?

Only a lot loan for the land, we could afford one or the other, not both at the same time. I didn't want to be a slave to the deadlines of a traditional construction loan, so we just got the bank help for the property. Everything else was "pay as you go".....Dave Ramsey plan, beans & rice, rice & beans, cable...canceled. high speed internet....canceled. eating out.....nopers.
It was a long couple years but it has paid off.

We were lucky though, we only needed a septic & building permit, couple of inspections & a few hundred $$ later & good to go.

[lilbluehonda]

Take the class anyway logsurfer. Never know what may happen in the future. And you never know when the next class will be. Where at in NorCal? I was stationed in H3!!. L. freaking A. 94-97. I must get back there occasionally tho. My daughter and grandkids are still there. And trying to escape. Told them I would build them a home anywhere if they would only leave there.
Northern and Southern California might as well be two different countries not to be compared ,I don't care what anyone thinks Northern California is one of the best places in the world to live if it's not here you don't need it that is one of the reasons it cost more to live here

[Scoutman]

o k

[logsurfer]

Indeed we 'were-are' looking in the SC mountains..slowly stretching out to gilroy...or even scarier San Benito County...middle of nowhere dry country *Sketchy* perhaps :O Butte sounds sweet, but a tad far for a commute...Where you from?

[logsurfer]

Few hundred $$$ aaahhhh> your killing me! LOL That sounds like the ideal 'plan' you had going there...Jealous to say the least! Just got an e-mail back so looks as though we will go for the Sept.-Oct.? Class. Ready and Willing!

[logsurfer]

So true! Just taxing and Permitting me to an early death! LOL

[logsurfer]

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness . . . . provided you're willing to pay for it . . . . they'll accept your first born.

Holy smokes Rod, those model pics are insane...are you doing your own septic?

[panderson03]

hey SURFERS, move to our county in Minnesota.

our permit experience was much like Shark describes (septic ~$130; building ~$130; grade and fill ~$130; electric .. haven't gotten that far yet so don't know...its a state thing though, not a county one).

HAVE to have licensed guy doing septic (...ok). building permit is good for 6 months, can renew for FREE indefinitely as long as we continue to make adequate progress (as defined by us). county inspector dude needed to inspect potential footer location before we even dug, then came out to inspect after footers had been poured.....no more building inspections required. grade and fill we also can continue renewing indefinitely (for free) until we're through moving dirt (which will hopefully be this spring:)
unfortunately there's pretty much no SURFING in our neck of the woods. lots of lovely lakes though.... come join us:)

[Shark]

Of course there are trade offs. It is indiana...land of the fat lazy folks (not all, but alot), no mountains, limited lakes.

[loghousenut]

Whats wrong with fat, lazy folks???

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/walllogs9-09022.jpg

[Shark]

Haha, I KNOW you guys are not lazy. :)

[FishingAddict]

Hey Minneota! You sound like you are in my county there where I hope to build someday -- near International Falls is my site. The fees are not to bad - but they are on everything. Cheaper to build on Wisconsin side or even better the UP area in MI. Cheap land too. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay to much of that white stuff if you know what I mean for my tastes. :(

So I gather you started - member for 2 years if I understand this deal?
I have 8 hour drive to get to the site I want to build on - seems many think this is not such a good idea when I read things here. Might take me 99 years if it a day a week of serious work. .... not good.
You got your own logs (my site doesn't) on property? That'd be perfect world. Mines not - but got water all around me. Thats the good part

[logsurfer]

hey SURFERS, move to our county in Minnesota.

our permit experience was much like Shark describes (septic ~$130; building ~$130; grade and fill ~$130; electric .. haven't gotten that far yet so don't know...its a state thing though, not a county one).

HAVE to have licensed guy doing septic (...ok). building permit is good for 6 months, can renew for FREE indefinitely as long as we continue to make adequate progress (as defined by us). county inspector dude needed to inspect potential footer location before we even dug, then came out to inspect after footers had been poured.....no more building inspections required. grade and fill we also can continue renewing indefinitely (for free) until we're through moving dirt (which will hopefully be this spring:)
unfortunately there's pretty much no SURFING in our neck of the woods. lots of lovely lakes though.... come join us:)

Your tempting me :) Those are some incredible #"S!! WOW! Man, that's just not even FAIR! :D You got it made in the shade my man...good on you

[logsurfer]

Whats wrong with fat, lazy folks???

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/walllogs9-09022.jpg

HA! Is that a tattoo!? Wicked.:D Them's true Loggers

[rreidnauer]

Holy smokes Rod, those model pics are insane...are you doing your own septic?

Thanks, I hope to if the gov't lets me, at least the excavation and plumbing portion. The sand and tanks placement I might be sub out.

[logsurfer]

Thanks, I hope to if the gov't lets me, at least the excavation and plumbing portion. The sand and tanks placement I might be sub out.

Understood~ I am hoping that I might just be able to do that myself as well....Again-if the G-men will allow it. For the life of me I can't see why we shouldn't be able to..I mean, it would only make sense to make sure it's done right...I can throw the labor at it and READ instructions well enough :D

[ChainsawGrandpa]

$100,000 for a permit?? That's way more than the finished price of the whole house around these parts.

Around here they want a few hundred $$ for the house permit. The process is even easier for the out buildings;
"Stay away from water, stay away from the property lines, and stay away from our office!

G'pa

[logsurfer]

$100,000 for a permit?? That's way more than the finished price of the whole house around these parts.

Around here they want a few hundred $$ for the house permit. The process is even easier for the out buildings;
"Stay away from water, stay away from the property lines, and stay away from our office!

G'pa

Yep, that's the $ factor the building dept. is telling us. "By the time you finish everything and before you even put shovel to dirt it may very well take about 2 years and 100K (or more?) for all the permits you will need." Though I am not sure if they were talking about including the Well as well as septic as part of that $ figure?? It has nearly POPPED my happy log dream Bubble! :O

[logsurfer]

Well actually the building fees are separate from the Planning fees which are then separate from the Fire Marshall fees which is separate from the Electrical and Plumbing and Mechanical fees...then tack on the misc. fees like site review- EPA-save the gosh darn lizard and bug fees if your going to cut down more than 20 trees or move dirt near the stream where the yella belly hornytoads...Shall I go on....Flippin ENDLESSSSSS! Lord help me...deep breathes~

[Shark]

Hey, we must keep Cali beautiful...at any cost....until it slowly sinks into the ocean. Then we'll have to have a chat with the EPA.

[RPM]

Logsurfer....I was in California for 42 years. When you live in California, you think that's the only place to live. You tolerate all the foolishness and governmeent control, high taxes, high crime rate, traffic, long lines everywhere you go, and did i say traffic? you find yourself planning your life around TRAFFIC! Is that insane or what?? Then you go outside California and realize there are other great places to live (better places to live)......I know, I know, you have saltwater on the brain, so it will be hard for you to move away from the ocean.......but do you really want to continue to live in all that nonsense?? Yes, there are GREAT places in California, but the government is strangling everyone, it's become so expensive to live there. Just the property taxes alone in California are insane, THEN, add the sales tax! I wish you the best and I know its hard to leave because of employment, family, etc, etc, etc,. For us, it was the best move and I don't miss CA, and my kids don't either! If you can't build now, then maybe you could plan long term for somewhere out of CA someday, maybe retirement???. Well, that's my two cents (again). Best of luck to you!

[logsurfer]

Logsurfer....I was in California for 42 years. When you live in California, you think that's the only place to live. You tolerate all the foolishness and governmeent control, high taxes, high crime rate, traffic, long lines everywhere you go, and did i say traffic? you find yourself planning your life around TRAFFIC! Is that insane or what?? Then you go outside California and realize there are other great places to live (better places to live)......I know, I know, you have saltwater on the brain, so it will be hard for you to move away from the ocean.......but do you really want to continue to live in all that nonsense?? Yes, there are GREAT places in California, but the government is strangling everyone, it's become so expensive to live there. Just the property taxes alone in California are insane, THEN, add the sales tax! I wish you the best and I know its hard to leave because of employment, family, etc, etc, etc,. For us, it was the best move and I don't miss CA, and my kids don't either! If you can't build now, then maybe you could plan long term for somewhere out of CA someday, maybe retirement???. Well, that's my two cents (again). Best of luck to you!

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement RPM...CA is clearly becoming a great place to have been from! I just got back from my sisters place in Lincoln City OR and a good friends place in Takilma (Cave Junction) I WAS downright sweet! No state taxes AND they pump your gas, gotta love that! Missing the Ocean would indeed be rough...but I hear you Loud and Clear! I just wish I could 'finish' one then get the heck out of dodge and make my way up North a few clicks...but yes, employment-family...those prospects are frightening to say the least. We plan on hitting up the class in Sept.-Oct. Perhaps you are right, it may just come down to building in 'retirement'...but I have fears that I will slowly lose such gusto for this dream of ours...*shaking head* it's disheartening. Have you built in Roseburg already? Again, thanks for the pep talk! :)

[logsurfer]

Hey, we must keep Cali beautiful...at any cost....until it slowly sinks into the ocean. Then we'll have to have a chat with the EPA.

HA! Indeed we would! :D

[panderson03]

Hey Minneota! You sound like you are in my county there where I hope to build someday -- near International Falls is my site. The fees are not to bad - but they are on everything. Cheaper to build on Wisconsin side or even better the UP area in MI. Cheap land too. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay to much of that white stuff if you know what I mean for my tastes. :(

So I gather you started - member for 2 years if I understand this deal?
I have 8 hour drive to get to the site I want to build on - seems many think this is not such a good idea when I read things here. Might take me 99 years if it a day a week of serious work. .... not good.
You got your own logs (my site doesn't) on property? That'd be perfect world. Mines not - but got water all around me. Thats the good part

Hey there fishing ADDICT. we're building a couple hours south of International Falls. you guys are lucky; its SO BEAUTIFUL up there!!!!

yup, we found this site in April 2009 and took the class in May 2009, been planning and scheming ever since!! funny, we found this site while looking for info on kit homes. BOY were we lucky to have stumbled on to LHBA!!

yeah an 8 hour drive will make things a little more complicated but we have folks currently building with a similar drive. its not impossible, just a little more tricky:)

nope, we don't have enough of the right trees on our property to use our own so we ended up paying for them. paid $80 for red pine 40foot logs with 8-12" small ends. the nice part about NOT using your own trees is you still have a beautifully wooded lot when you're done:)

water all around sounds like heaven:) we have only 120ft of water front. sounds like you all have a beautiful place.
well come to our forums!

[loghousenut]

Deflated???

Take the class. Unless San Jose and a mortgage are the answer, it's time to make the change. There's nothing wrong with the suburb life unless you want something else for your family. Think you're too old? How old are you gonna be when you're 50 if you don't take the class this year? I'll trade my age and possessions for your age and possessions whenever you're ready. Please let me keep my Wife and Son.

There are as many ways to make the lifestyle change as there are people to make it. Take the class and get the basics. My family is building legally, with the full blessing of the County, and we have found a way to pay every cent the County requires. We aren't rich but when this house is done it'll be ours with no banknote unless we want one. There are folks all over the States (heck, all over the WORLD) who are doing the exact same thing right now.

If the price of permits has you down, please be assured that in most of the nation, building permits cost less than a fairly reliable used car. In the big scheme it's not a big deal unless you are hooked on the Marin County thing. The fact that you are reading and writing on this forum indicates that you like what you see and want your piece of the dream. What you see here can't be found down at the local "sign on the dotted line and we'll deliver your log house" store.

This method of building will not change your life... That's your job. The job of LHBA is to teach a system of building that is strong, long lasting, doable, and really cool. You'll learn a dozen shortcuts that will save you many times your schooling costs. You'll gain access to the members side of this forum where you will learn more and share what you've learned with the next generation. Most of us use what we learned in class to escape (or stay escaped) from the rat race and live the lifestyle that we want to. If you want instant, buy a condo and pay as you go... for 30 years. My family is paying as we go without the 30 year contract and when we are done it'll ALL be ours.

Take the class and then figure out where your family will build. It can happen most anyplace except downtown San Jose. There are LHBA homes in California, Montana, Arkansas, Arizona.... Heck there's even a few around Houston and I wouldn't live there even if my colon was being held hostage by mosquitoes (hahahaa).



After you've taken the class you can stop in and see how it's done just across the Oregon border.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/The%20slideshows/Rooffinally036-1.jpg


That's not tatoos on his leg, it's his fiberglass leg.... Now THAT's a LOGGER!



http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/walllogs9-09022.jpg

[logsurfer]

First off LHN....I deeply appreciate your thoughtful motivating inspiring words...Lady Surfer and I have been following your posts for some time now. We passed through Grants Pass a couple weeks back wishing we could swing by...WE certainly will after we take the class this Sept-Oct...they tell us there's going to be one *fingers crossed* I do want to apologize to all you folks...I certainly don't mean to Whine and be the oh whoa is my type. It's just that this all seems so daunting having to deal with a Loan of such magnitude and all. I love OR and I would love to move there, as of now I just don't see how. We would like to head up to the mountains around here or farther away in the hills and such. Can't wait to become a 'Member' and have some talk and Face time with all you crazy cool folks. We both want this pretty darn bad..Lord willing, we can/will somehow find a way...I will admit however that I am Scared to Death of taking on such challenge...but I realize this will be the biggest most rewarding thing I could do for my Family!
I thought that was a 'fake' leg-just didn't want to state that till I was sure :) He sure picked a fine one indeed~ Bless you for the encouragement my man,we can't wait till were on the 'other side'-chasing said dream

[logsurfer]

First off LHN....I deeply appreciate your thoughtful motivating inspiring words...Lady Surfer and I have been following your posts for some time now. We passed through Grants Pass a couple weeks back wishing we could swing by...WE certainly will after we take the class this Sept-Oct...they tell us there's going to be one *fingers crossed* I do want to apologize to all you folks...I certainly don't mean to Whine and be the oh whoa is my type. It's just that this all seems so daunting having to deal with a Loan of such magnitude and all. I love OR and I would love to move there, as of now I just don't see how. We would like to head up to the mountains around here or farther away in the hills and such. Can't wait to become a 'Member' and have some talk and Face time with all you crazy cool folks. We both want this pretty darn bad..Lord willing, we can/will somehow find a way...I will admit however that I am Scared to Death of taking on such challenge...but I realize this will be the biggest most rewarding thing I could do for my Family!
I thought that was a 'fake' leg-just didn't want to state that till I was sure :) He sure picked a fine one indeed~ Bless you for the encouragement my man,we can't wait till were on the 'other side'-chasing said dream

PS Your amazing house makes me weep and salivate....drool :D

[rocklock]

I want to preface these remarks with the fact that I was raised in Fresno. I left in 1970 (graduated from FSC 1970) because I could read the wall. It was clear - at least to me. Nough said...

Its true that we talk about logs and building, but the real crux or focus or central idea is becoming financially solvent by eliminating a mortgage. You do this by turning your biggest debt into a family project that becomes doable and the most creative project conceivable. All of this stuff feeds into becoming sustainable, working hard, becoming prepared for any bad stuff that may (some believe will) happen.

I have worked my entire life. I wished I had discovered this idea long before seven years ago (age 60). I was looking for something to do after I retired. I looked for someplace to retire. I toured almost every western state from Washington to New Mexico. I finally found the place that most things came together. I then found the classes and my son and I took the class. I then found the land... 90 feet from some land my wife's family owned. There were big problems.... But with time and diligence we have overcame each of the problems so far. We still have problems but there seem to be solutions.

Now for a bunch of Clichés... You get out what you put in.

So, deflated or not, figure out what your next step is. You are at least two steps ahead of me when I was 60.

[Dan Spencer]

Hi Scoutman
My wife and I have taken the class last Jan . We are both 55 years young. We are planning our first log cabin in Texas at Lake Livingston . Half acre overlooking the Lake. I must say , if your going to build a cabin , then start with the class. My very first hour of the class changed my whole veiw of how and what to build. There is so much insight that you will need . As far as Cal. , ?????????????

Dan

[logsurfer]

I want to preface these remarks with the fact that I was raised in Fresno. I left in 1970 (graduated from FSC 1970) because I could read the wall. It was clear - at least to me. Nough said...

Its true that we talk about logs and building, but the real crux or focus or central idea is becoming financially solvent by eliminating a mortgage. You do this by turning your biggest debt into a family project that becomes doable and the most creative project conceivable. All of this stuff feeds into becoming sustainable, working hard, becoming prepared for any bad stuff that may (some believe will) happen.

I have worked my entire life. I wished I had discovered this idea long before seven years ago (age 60). I was looking for something to do after I retired. I looked for someplace to retire. I toured almost every western state from Washington to New Mexico. I finally found the place that most things came together. I then found the classes and my son and I took the class. I then found the land... 90 feet from some land my wife's family owned. There were big problems.... But with time and diligence we have overcame each of the problems so far. We still have problems but there seem to be solutions.

Now for a bunch of Clichés... You get out what you put in.

So, deflated or not, figure out what your next step is. You are at least two steps ahead of me when I was 60.

Pardon if I missed it but what 2 steps would that be?
Much appreciated to say the least>feeling more inflated for the day thusfar! Your words are eloquent and your reasoning sound. The strange part is that if you must get a loan at least here you have to have a General Contractor signed on...There's the catch for me.Why?!? YOU can't do that-you Have to pay someone with a title to do it for you~ slowly chopping the figurative limb I'm perched on.
I guess the positive spin on the possibility of such a project...in these here parts....is who else could get the house of their dreams for 200K or under! That's insane but may very well be the case...*shivers* :D

Thank you so much Rocklock for the kind and uplifting words- reading much of your posts on here as well ...inspiring
Big Smiles

[logsurfer]

I want to preface these remarks with the fact that I was raised in Fresno. I left in 1970 (graduated from FSC 1970) because I could read the wall. It was clear - at least to me. Nough said...

Its true that we talk about logs and building, but the real crux or focus or central idea is becoming financially solvent by eliminating a mortgage. You do this by turning your biggest debt into a family project that becomes doable and the most creative project conceivable. All of this stuff feeds into becoming sustainable, working hard, becoming prepared for any bad stuff that may (some believe will) happen.

I have worked my entire life. I wished I had discovered this idea long before seven years ago (age 60). I was looking for something to do after I retired. I looked for someplace to retire. I toured almost every western state from Washington to New Mexico. I finally found the place that most things came together. I then found the classes and my son and I took the class. I then found the land... 90 feet from some land my wife's family owned. There were big problems.... But with time and diligence we have overcame each of the problems so far. We still have problems but there seem to be solutions.

Now for a bunch of Clichés... You get out what you put in.

So, deflated or not, figure out what your next step is. You are at least two steps ahead of me when I was 60.

Pardon if I missed it but what 2 steps would that be?
Much appreciated to say the least>feeling more inflated for the day thusfar! Your words are eloquent and your reasoning sound. The strange part is that if you must get a loan at least here you have to have a General Contractor signed on...There's the catch for me.Why?!? YOU can't do that-you Have to pay someone with a title to do it for you~ slowly chopping the figurative limb I'm perched on.
I guess the positive spin on the possibility of such a project...in these here parts....is who else could get the house of their dreams for 200K or under! That's insane but may very well be the case...*shivers* :D

Thank you so much Rocklock for the kind and uplifting words- reading much of your posts on here as well ...inspiring
Big Smiles

[Scoutman]

Hey Dan. Personally not worried about the 55 thing. But I don't like to hear "youngsters" in their 40s worrying about their age! LOL

[rocklock]

First step for me was to realize that a mortgage was not necessary to build a great home.
Step two, I had never thought about building a log home let alone a tightly pinned butt and pass style home.

In Hawaii there is a pidgin saying If can, can. If no can, no can. The beauty of this simple fact, some time things can't happen just the way you want. I would suggest that you can buy land in any of the many places that would love for energetic, enabled people to seek their dream. If you are in a place that has enough people (or far too many), and building is restricted in obviously debilitating ways, then If no can, no can. Find a place that can....

OBTW, I know that Fresno is more or less the halfway point in California, and San Jose is North, but to me Northern California is a land with a little less people than where your at. If I were you I would find the little blue honda and get some of that paradise. I mean Rag Dump Road may not sound like much, but it looks great to me. Chico ain't that far...

[loghousenut]

Hi Scoutman
My wife and I have taken the class last Jan . We are both 55 years young. We are planning our first log cabin in Texas at Lake Livingston . Half acre overlooking the Lake. I must say , if your going to build a cabin , then start with the class. My very first hour of the class changed my whole veiw of how and what to build. There is so much insight that you will need . As far as Cal. , ?????????????

Dan

Dan, Please be advised that all references to anybody building in your part of the Country was purely (mostly purely) in jest. I have the utmost respect for you hardy souls who can tolerate the climate and humidity. The hottest and the coldest that I have ever been in my life was at two different times of the year on two different drilling rigs a few hour south of your location. Lake Livingston must certainly be a great spot for a house or cabin... Hopefully a better location than an hour out in Galveston Bay from Kemah.

I will admit that I miss a certain "well grounded and down to earth" quality of the citizens of your State. I have often wished that the State that I call home were not partially filled with a bunch of lily-livered... OK so I wish there were more Texans in Oregon.

[logsurfer]

First step for me was to realize that a mortgage was not necessary to build a great home.
Step two, I had never thought about building a log home let alone a tightly pinned butt and pass style home.

In Hawaii there is a pidgin saying If can, can. If no can, no can. The beauty of this simple fact, some time things can't happen just the way you want. I would suggest that you can buy land in any of the many places that would love for energetic, enabled people to seek their dream. If you are in a place that has enough people (or far too many), and building is restricted in obviously debilitating ways, then If no can, no can. Find a place that can....

OBTW, I know that Fresno is more or less the halfway point in California, and San Jose is North, but to me Northern California is a land with a little less people than where your at. If I were you I would find the little blue honda and get some of that paradise. I mean Rag Dump Road may not sound like much, but it looks great to me. Chico ain't that far...

When your right-your right. That's the beauty of that Pidgin *straightforward simple to the point* and oh so true enough. UNDERSTOOD. Other than the commute which would be rough, lilbluehonda has found himself a fine spot indeed...it's surely appears ideal for such an undertaking. North by Northeast. Might just have to swing that idea by the lady surfer. Look out lil blue! :D
Thank you soooo very much D for shedding your insight on my issues...you all are fine folks. Thank you for the clarification as well... Research-Research-Research...a tad overwhelming at times and I haven't even picked up a shovel
BTW your house is sweeeet! Loving that garage of sorts underneath...that's ideal! Haven't looked at all yet-but will!

[Log Home Pioneer]

Ill be building in California when I get situated. Trinity, Mendocino, may even consider Shasta county. Thats real nor cal. To me your not in nor cal unless your at least above Santa Rosa.... Trinity is the cheapest county to build in for sure. One of the least populated too :)

[logsurfer]

Ill be building in California when I get situated. Trinity, Mendocino, may even consider Shasta county. Thats real nor cal. To me your not in nor cal unless your at least above Santa Rosa.... Trinity is the cheapest county to build in for sure. One of the least populated too :)

Well then, we'll have to keep in touch for sure! Was passing through Mendocino on the way to OR a few weeks back...practically running off the road ogling all the mighty fine logs just stacked high in the lumber mills....poor guys-just waiting their turn to be hacked to bits...so your looking for land right now? When are you taking the class? What's the whole permit/Gov scene round there?

[lilbluehonda]

So many people think they know all about California and how populated it is here' a list of some Northern Ca. county's
Sierra County 3,263
Modoc 9449
Trinity 13000
Plumas 20,000
Lassen 34,000


And by the way my nearest neighbor is 8 miles away

[logsurfer]

Ill be building in California when I get situated. Trinity, Mendocino, may even consider Shasta county. Thats real nor cal. To me your not in nor cal unless your at least above Santa Rosa.... Trinity is the cheapest county to build in for sure. One of the least populated too :)

I wish I could go up there...just to far a commute right now....That does sound ideal though~