Additional Pool & House Renderings, A Couple of Changes

Day 232
Total Spent So Far: $59,140.16
30 Yard Dumpsters Filled: 3.5

We had a few adjustments made to the renderings of the plans for the pool and balconies.  We also got a few additional views rendered out to see how the upstairs back patio flowed.

We adjusted the outdoor kitchen downstairs to ensure we had room for a sink, fridge, and grill.

Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor Kitchen

We adjusted the scuba room storage placement on the back of the house so that it didn’t cover one of the few windows in the small studio apartment. (To make sure there was still good ventilation there.)

Alleyway for Entrance and Window on Studio Apartment
Alleyway for Entrance and Window on Studio Apartment
Scuba Room / Solar Panel Power-wall Room
Scuba Room / Solar Panel Power-wall Room with New Covered Parking

We discussed a secret path (barely visible from the top view) through the jungle that would lead up to the upstairs back patio up the side of the hill to connect the back patio to the pool patio.

Top Down Overview
Top Down Overview
Jungle Path Close Up
Jungle Path Close Up

We added in the sliding panoramic doors on the South side of the house/balcony.  Now both the South Wall and East Wall of the house open completely up to the balconies upstairs.

Slider Wall with Panoramic Doors on South Side of House
Slider Wall with Panoramic Doors on South Side of House
View of South Balcony
View of South Balcony

Finally we took a look at what the entrance to the balcony looks like from the back patio, and the placement of where they would connect.

Entrance to Balcony from Back Patio
Entrance to Balcony from Back Patio
Back Patio View
Back Patio View

We also discussed a few other things not shown in the renderings, such as making the fireplace outside gas driven since we have winds up here for both safety and smoke aversion.

2D Plans
2D Plans

I think we’re now ready to start getting quotes and bids from contractors on making this happen!  Hopefully our designer captured our vision within our budget!

I started on the Nursery last week, prepping it for paint.  I have to paint this weekend.  Tile hopefully starting the next.  Only 5 more weeks until Liam is born!

Another update soon when the nursery is finished!

Financing and Design

I made calls for about 2 hours today looking for financing information and only got ahold of one person who has 100% of the information I needed. Banco Popular wins for the day out of lenders. The people at Bank of St. Croix were very nice too, but only had info on Construction Loans. Someone is supposed to call me back about Land Loans. First Bank VI and Scotiabank both have to return my calls still as no one could get me to anyone with any information. Welcome to the Island life! These are the only four banks that offer land and construction loans from what I’ve found down in St. Croix.  Hopefully if I have info from all four, I’ll be able to make the best choice between loan products. I need to get prequalified before we start real conversations with land owners. We have our eye on 8 properties at the moment.

In other news, I spoke with Carlos Reyes, a designer and draftsman who was referred to me on the VImovingcenter.com site.  This is my third call with him, and I really like him. He seems to be very free with information and knows where the good deals are VS the sub contractors who are out to get as much as they can from a “mainlander.” He was helpful in a few budgetary items today as well. He also seems like he’s going to be the best value wise for us to use. We’re planning to meet in person when we go down around the end of our next trip.  I’ve got some hand drawings of features I want in the house going, and a Pinterest Board Shaleece and I have been working on, but we have to wait until we get the lot to start layout out the actual house.  Follow our Caribbean Home Pinterest Board and dream with us!

Update: First Bank VI called back first thing this morning (8/22/17) and they are no longer doing Land and Construction loans.  Just waiting on Scotiabank and Bank of St. Croix to finalize a decision after receiving the rest of their information.