Building a Home in Hawaii Pt. 2

In case you missed it, I talked about the process of selecting, placing an offer and closing on the property that I am building my home on here: 

Building a Home in Hawaii Pt. 1

Since then things have been moving rather slowly... but there is progress nonetheless. In this post I'll discuss what the next steps to work on are, and what sort of challenges I've experienced so far.  

Topography Hang Up

So I experienced my first hang up in this home building process... and it delayed my progress a bit.

Before anything that be done, a topography survey needs to be performed. I had someone ready to go, and thought I was ahead of the curve! When we had finally closed on the property, I tried to get in touch with him to schedule, but was unsuccessful. 

After a couple weeks and several attempts to make contact, I was finally able to get in touch and was given a schedule date from the surveyor. A week after the planned schedule date, I tried reaching out to see how things were progressing, and was again unable to get in contact. 

I thought... hmm.. maybe he's busy, we all get busy here and there, so gave him another week. After more failed attempts at getting in touch, I had decided I need to find another surveyor. I was finally able to find another company that could perform the work, and am scheduled to finally receive it by the end of the month! 

It is a minor inconvenience, but it costed some time, effort and progress.

Now that it's been put back on track, (fingers crossed) I'll get my survey at the end of this month! 

What is a Topography Survey? 

A Topography Survey is a type of surveying that needs to be done to document the elevations, and natural and manmade features on a plot of land. 

It helps the designer find out what the existing conditions of the property are. 

The land that I purchased is relatively flat, which was part of what attracted me to it. However, it's unique in that there are multiple easements. 

An easement is basically a right that another party has over your land. There are drainage, ranch access, and an equestrian trail easement on my property. 

Kohala Ranch has a several feet change in elevation from top to bottom. That means that during heavy rains, there are places where there is potential for lots of rain water to flow. 

The topography survey will help identify these areas, and help make sure that the structures built are in the right places, away from any potential flooding. It will also help make sure that the way the property is built and utilized observes the various easements of the property! 

I'm not exactly sure what an equestrian trail easement is for... but it sounds cool, and makes me want a pet horse! lol

Preliminary Discussions with MLO

My banker and I have been in discussions about this upcoming project, and we are going to soon engage another bank representative, the Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO). 

This is the person that is going to help me with the "Construction-to-Permanent" loan. 

There are some criteria for a build like this, and it's something that I've been planning. I'm still trying to more thoroughly understand this loan product... but from what I understand so far from my early discussions....

• Loan to Value must not exceed 70% -- Per my banker, but this is yet to be confirmed. 
• Construction Costs + Land Costs must not exceed 90% of the loan amount. 
• There are "interest only" payments during the construction process.
• The loan will be amortized over 30 years like a mortgage at the end of it all. 
• A bond is required.
  
  

Before I can start any construction, approved plans are going to be required. We are doing our preliminary work on this part... but we are a ways away. Still, I like to understand the various components of what goes behind a project, so that I can make sure to keep it in mind when planning! 

Amazing Builds! 

There's so much amazing construction on Kohala Ranch, and I'm looking forward to seeing how I can take the great ideas that people have already had brought to life there, and incorporate my own creativity and vision for this project! 

Here are a few of homes that are on the ranch: 

Design Ideas

It's still very early on.... but I am trying to build something "evergreen", and more widely appealing to potential buyers should I ever decide to sell this.

I don't want to build something to "niche".... although a giant halfpipe in the backyard would be fun (and probably not allowed here)! 

The actual design and lay out of the home I am building is still up in the air. I'm still trying to find the exact style and inspiration for this, and it's my first time trying it out. 

There are a few things that I hope to achieve with the property, and have a general idea of what I am trying to do: 

• Metal roofing! Kohala Ranch allows for standing seam type roofs... and it's my favorite type of roof, its also energy efficient! 
• Ground Mounted PV system... The best azimuth for PV is also... where the best views are. I'm planning to place the solar modules below the pool area, so that not only my guests and I, but also the panels can both soak up the sun! 
• Salt Water Pool... From what I hear... its better for your skin than chlorinated water and its the go-to choice here. 
• Two Master Suites on both ends, and common areas with open ocean facing patio space at the center... I want to make sure that I can bring guests and there's space to enjoy time with family and friends! 
• A Three Car Garage... there was a weird design guideline for the association, so it's something that I am building into the plans. I don't plan to have three cars there... but maybe I can use some of the space for a gym! 

There's still so much to be figured out... but as I research and learn more, I hope to gain more inspiration and design ideas for this home build. 

I'd love to hear if any of you have cool ideas for me to look into! I'm sure a lot of the people reading this is a lot better at visual creative type things than I am!