Owner-specific modifications:
Built home above grade (rather than with daylight basement), which gave the now-second-floor a 180-degree view
"A long-time dream" and a "lack of choice to buy in the area" prompted Packwood,
Wash., resident Janice Eddington to build plan H-9461-A. Plus, she needed to
create a dwelling that could accommodate her three grown children and five
grandchildren.
This retired vocational school teacher located her first building project on
a site overlooking one of the most beautiful rivers in the state. "[I] wanted to
take advantage of a wonderful view of the Cowlitz River, with mountain views
from the second-story living level," she says.
Many new home-builders would be daunted in the face of such a monumental task
as building a home. Not Janice. She was 67 at the time of building, but jumped
right in with both sleeves rolled up. "As a single lady, I feel proud to have
done the home-building project completely on my own," she says. "I found the
property, secured the financing and hired the contractor and builder. I did a
lot of the jobs: all clean-up, painting the interior and priming the exterior. I
was the 'go-fer' and landscaper. I think I 'did good!'"
We think so, too, and were surprised to hear that, although building plan
H-9461-A was the most rewarding project she'd ever accomplished, she might not
simply rest on her laurels. "I'll live in my charming home until I could build
again or health concerns would require a move. I would like to build again at
the coast."
And where might she find her next home plan?
"I'm looking at [Home Plans LLC] plans," she says.
Designed for flexibility, this home can be built on a narrow or sloping lot,
with either two bedrooms or three. In the plan's two-bedroom version, the
upper-floor loft hosts a spacious master suite with a 12-ft. sloped ceiling, a
huge walk-in closet and a private bath. In the plan's three-bedroom version, two
bedrooms share the upper floor.
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