Replies

1. 
   girlbuilder | Sep 22, 2006 03:43am | #1

   Hey! I spent every summer in the Ozarks when I was a kid, haven't been back there in years. I hear its real built up, tell me it ain't so.

1. 
   CAGIV | Sep 22, 2006 06:51am | #2

   I've heard construction is booming down there right now, I also went there as a kid for several summer vacations.

   Hey cloud, I can't help with the appraiser, just wondering if this project is on the lake front or not?

1. 
   CloudHidden | Sep 22, 2006 06:53am | #3

   It's one or two lots removed. Sees lake through trees .

1. 
   CAGIV | Sep 22, 2006 06:59am | #4

   I need to get back down there sometime...

   I assume you go on site visits for your designs? 

   How is it down there, still decent, or is too commercialized?

1. 
   CloudHidden | Sep 22, 2006 02:57pm | #5

   I try to avoid site visits. Wanna be here with my daughter and wife rather than travel all over the country. Different business model. Don't provide construction management and don't charge for it. Try to work with builders I've used before and trust to do a proper job. Not for everyone, but it works for us. They get how I design and I get how they build.

2. 
   CAGIV | Sep 22, 2006 05:34pm | #6

   Isn't it a little hard designing the structure with out ever seeing the site though?

3. 
   CloudHidden | Sep 22, 2006 05:47pm | #7

   When necessary, I'll travel for that reason. Hit CO recently for that reason. But most of the time, a combination of panoramic photos, topo maps, surveys, google maps, soils reports, etc is more than sufficient. I'll create my own topo CAD models from the data so I can calculate cut and fill requirements, berm levels, etc. The versatility of the structures helps, too. The basic structure can be bermed 3' or 8' without any change in engineering, for example, so precision in grade levels doesn't matter as much as it might with other structures.

4. 
   Mooney | Sep 22, 2006 07:32pm | #8

   I dont want to be a negative to your quest , but I agree with comparibles being a problem.

   Its not just a house thats accepted to have the same comparibles. That would be like comparing an underground house to a typical house built people were used to buying and a MLS system full of matching comparibles.

   From the many pics you have posted I think this ;

   They are very nice properties . They are also a heavy statement looking at a dome . More so than split levels.

   People are afraid or should I say consumers, of getting out side the box. They want that first 5 houses started in an addtion before they invest . Often times the last 5 lots take years to sell if the public didnt like what they viewed .

   With out any track record in town of a dome being sold , I wouldnt appraise it either. The whole system is built against it because of the opinion being backed by comparibles.

   Tim Memphest 2006

   November 18th

5. 
   CloudHidden | Sep 22, 2006 08:22pm | #9

   I agree it's systemic. That's the challenge with doing new stuff. All we can do is keep on keeping on. Either that, or give up and never try anything new.fwiw, my bank had no problem getting an appraiser to use conventional comps when they wanted my Home Equity business. Plus, since I posted this, we've found two appraisers through the internet who'll do it, and one through another means, so the owner should be in fine shape.

6. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 23, 2006 03:35am | #10

   In a separate post I am sending you a list of 3 names. Let me know if you don't get it.A friend of mine son is an RE agent in Columbia and gave these names.

7. 
   CloudHidden | Sep 23, 2006 04:21am | #12

   Much appreciated. One of them is a name I emailed with this afternoon. Client has names and will be in touch with someone. Thank you and your friend.

8. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 23, 2006 03:38am | #11

   I think that it depends on where you are.I have not been down in few years.I can remember where I was, but they where like the 30 or 40 mile marker. Not too bad.But the closer you got to the dam the worst the water (waves) was.