The building process is not for the faint of heart, but for many, it is the answer! That’s why you may have noticed a lot of new homes being built everywhere, including around the Lake. There are several reasons for this, such:
- Lack of suitable inventory
- The love of a brand-new home
- Great land
- The desire for a particular style/design
It can be frustrating waiting for the perfect house to become available, which is why many choose to build. Or you may have had property just waiting for the right time to build.
That’s my story. My husband and I had always purchased existing homes, including our home in Greenville, where we lived for about ten years. We also had lakefront property at Keowee and would spend most of our weekends playing off the dock and cruising the lake.
The “ah ha” moment came in 2003 when we realized we spent our free time driving back and forth to the lake, our “happy place." We figured it was time to live where we love and reverse the commute, and we decided to build a home on our property.
Our first challenge was the slope on our lot, which was sizable. This was new territory for us then, and finding a builder experienced in building on a hill was step one. Fortunately, there are quite a few great builders at the lake. As we explored our options and learned about building on a slope, we learned that most things are possible with a budget.
One of the builders had us visit some lake houses they’ve built on slopes. This was a “wow” moment for me. I remember visiting one home during a light right, and as I stood on the driveway in flats dress shoes, I began sliding down the drive. Luckily, I could quickly jump into the grass to stop myself. I thought, wow, this is not a slope but a cliff! What I didn’t understand back then was the payoff – If you build close to the water, you get great views and gentle lake access, but you’ll likely have a steep driveway. If you place the home closer to the street, you'll have an easier driveway and a steeper slope to the water.
Better informed, we chose our builder and began discussing timing, house plans, communication, and caveats. My uncle was one of the original lake area builders and lived around the corner from our property. As a condition, we asked that he actively participate in the build process, and I am so glad we did! The building process was a hectic time, and not only for construction. We had young kids, demanding jobs, and various activities. Sometimes tasks such as picking out shingles and door hardware seem challenging, but I am the first to admit, so worth it! When the last blue tape is removed and you see your plans and selections come to life, there’s nothing like it.
Flash forward eighteen years, now empty nesters, and it was time to downsize. We bought a smaller, existing waterfront home and began a different kind of build -- updating it to make it our own.
Today, I am fortunate to help people find their dream home at the lake, whether a new build or re-envisioning an existing home in this incredible place. Helping my clients connect with great local contractors is what I do. That is Sandy Peirce "& Company." Let me know if I can help you.
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