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Maybe you should just design and build your own house. That way you would have what you want. Difference in price might not be that great. Is something to think about.

I actually have considered looking for land and doing that. The house I'm in had a hallway kitchen and we added a 12 x 24 hunk on the back that became the kitchen and dining room. The rest of the place we totally gutted and built a new house in the shell. I don't think I have another one in me. I'm even considering the unthinkable, land with a new modular on it.

Those houses are designed and built, by and for, those that never cook nor believe in eating in the kitchen. I can remember when I was growing up some of the houses we lived in you could have fit an army and then some into the kitchens. Back then the kitchen was the second most important room in the house, only the bathroom had more importance.
Ahhh the memories!

look into a straw bale structure. that is the only house i would ever build. there are some amazing things out there for building. email me if you want ideas or have questions.

The modulars aren't too bad but it's still difficult for me to wrap my mind around living in one.

There are quality modulars on the market but you have to go looking for them. The most expensive one that I heard of cost $350,000. And that ain't a tent by no stretch of the mind.

The thoughts of working with a builder is not a pleasure in life I want to go though. Buy it already built or f--k it. Yes, ALL builders will do things that do not satisfy.

Two different families that are friends of ours walked through hell, wrapped in toilet paper, soaked in gasoline, when they contracted with two different builders to build a new home. One is currently sueing the builder over the roof.

No matter whom you chose, problems will come up. But what do they have to do to satisfy you?

I knew some people who lived in a backyard shed. Well, it was a backyard shed with corrugated iron walls. They insulated and lined it inside, built on to it, sticking with the iron sheeting external wall idea. It was about 16 squares with 3 bedrooms. It looked like a shack from the outside but was very nice and snug inside.

Besa blocks filled with concrete and reinforced with steel rods have excellent thermal properties and won't fall down in an earthquake or get blown away by a Katrina.

A friend of mine built a mud brick octagon. Pressed his own bricks and everything. That was a unique structure. He later added a bathroom and two bedrooms off 3 of the eight sides. Only problem was it was about 45 minutes to the nearest civilization (town).

I don't envy you, Michi.

Because my house blocks any development to my rear, I will sooner or later have to move and go through what you are going through. It's not finding the perfect house that bothers me, its the going through all the clutter that I've amassed over the years. And each year that my area goes undeveloped, is one more year that I grow older and less inclined to process the clutter.

If I could just spend the rest of my days here, I would be OK with it. I have a new five lane highway in front of my house which puts me within minutes of civilization, and I have 40 undeveloped acres behind me for a great view. The best of both worlds. Now if only I didn't have all the clutter.

Even buying already built has it's problems. My son bought a house he is now living in that had a bowl for a living room floor. Ya could lay a marble on the perimeter and it would slowly roll to the low spot. Upon close inspection under the floor the dickheads who built the house hadn't supported a join of the floor joists with a pier. OK......dig a hole under the join about 3 feet deep and 2 foot wide. Fill with concrete. Let set. It's off to the rental hire shop and borrow a 20 tonne house jack for the day. Find a telephone pole sized piece of treated pine and cut to length. Jack up the floor and install support. Cracked some gyprock inside but the floor is now level. This was all done while lying on my stomach.

Another brand new unfinished house I once looked at the electrician cut corners. He used short lengths of mains wire in the ceiling simply twisted together and wrapped with plastic tape. That house has probably burnt down by now. That was about 20 years ago.

Another builder I recently worked with was building a bedroom off the side of a house. When we were installing the particle board floor he nailed the first row of board down, pinching it so the tongue of the second row couldn't be fitted into the groove of the first. Solution?....cut the tongue off. The owners won't know. (not for 2 or 3 years when the floor starts squeeking)

He 'built' a deck off the back of a house once. He spanned 12' with 2 by 4's for joists at 2' centers. I told him his structure was fucked and needed at least another bearer, better yet two in the middle. Naugh......"she's a stupid bitch and won't know anyway". Well.....she did know as there wasn't a swimming pool she could spring board into. I hope he lost his license over that one.

Just be careful of all structures. New, old, whatever. I don't trust builders.

I must have missed something.....why are you moving? Did the Feds find you? hehehe