DerbyDad03 wrote:
(snip)
"and if I ever get rich enough to build"

Don't you mean "and if I ever get rich enough to build and upgrade
beyond the basic doors without sacrificing any other upgrades"?

I've got lots of friends that built. Once they saw what they got for
the base price, from carpeting to lighting to other "necessities",
that's where they put their upgrade money.

They would have loved to have upgraded the doors throughout, but a
door is a door, while there were so many other things that *really*
needed upgrading both for function and for show.

At some point, most people have to make choices or they'll price
themselves right out of the build.

Hey, it's MY daydream, and I'll spec it out how I want it! :^)
And for damn sure, it won't be a McHouse from a McBuilder. I have access
to 50 years of my father's house plans (if he isn't around any more to
design me a custom), and I inherited enough of his skills to modify them
as needed. None of this 'base price and upgrades' stuff- I'd rather buy
a pre-owned of higher quality, if I can't afford a custom build.

But more realistically, short of my twice-a-month lotto ticket coming up
a winner, the only 'build' I'll ever be able to afford is a pole barn
with a hidden apartment in one end of it. And being by myself, that
would probably be enough. The 1.375 houses I own aren't gonna go up in
value any more- I'll be lucky if I get my money back out of them. And
since us 'lifer' Feds aren't eligible for SS unless we work out in the
world for ten years after we retire, my pennies will all be quite thin.
So, the odds are high my next house has already been built, somewhere.
Not sure where, yet, but somewhere.

I do need to get off my ass and start getting this place presentable
enough to sell, though, so it isn't an anchor once I get eligible to
leave. Damn glad they built that casino up the road from here, even
though I'll never see the inside of it. My place is the perfect price
point and commuting distance for a starter house for some youngster
working there that gets hitched. Unlike the beige McMansions of many
gables, starter houses are still selling around here. I made sure to buy
in a low-crime area with decent schools, on a street with no heavy
traffic. A very kid-friendly neighborhood.

--
aem sends...