04-16-2009, 12:21 PM
Accessibility was one of our thoughts, too. This may not seem like a biggie, but many of the people we met in our first year here were coming to terms with the fact that the dream house they built a decade, or so, ago would have to be sold for the fact that they could no longer manage the stairs, upkeep, etc. These are people that had built their dream at about the same age that we were going into the process, and now were having to part with the dream.... one thing we took away from watching this, it is not an easy decision to leave your dream.
We changed our "dream" drastically to more practical terms...
Oh, and rats! be aware that they are here & can do many amazing & almost undetectable things to your house structure... Termites, salt, VOG, moisture, cockroaches (they are just creepy... don't really effect the building) & rats have changed our views on all building materials, and structure plans.
Also really know your lot. Our lot has blue sky much of the time from the makai & Hilo side (east & north), and clouds much of the time from the mauka & Puna side (however, when clear, the mauka view of Mauna Kea is wonderful). Our lanais & windows almost all are mauka & Puna views (west & south - normal in building), We added a few to gain the sunny side of the lot... but the structure of the house was not set up for the average sunny side time... but has great views on those rare clear mauka days.... We bought an older house during a clear month....
We changed our "dream" drastically to more practical terms...
Oh, and rats! be aware that they are here & can do many amazing & almost undetectable things to your house structure... Termites, salt, VOG, moisture, cockroaches (they are just creepy... don't really effect the building) & rats have changed our views on all building materials, and structure plans.
Also really know your lot. Our lot has blue sky much of the time from the makai & Hilo side (east & north), and clouds much of the time from the mauka & Puna side (however, when clear, the mauka view of Mauna Kea is wonderful). Our lanais & windows almost all are mauka & Puna views (west & south - normal in building), We added a few to gain the sunny side of the lot... but the structure of the house was not set up for the average sunny side time... but has great views on those rare clear mauka days.... We bought an older house during a clear month....