Hope you friends are not too tired of me ... I am going to need a lot of help!

Sochi - I don't know. There are all sorts of complexities. We have a right of way over another neighbors' property to access a sand beach, and that has to be codified and approved by regulators. In addition (are you ready) an heir to one of the original owners (not the current sellers) has a right of first refusal. So now that we are under contract, they get a shot. We are ready to close ASAP, other than all that nonsense! You have your lakehouse project, too, no?

KSWL - Thank you! I have learned so much from GW and from our last project. And I am totally serious about making this "The house the Gardenweb built". I will even throw a party, promise.

Fun - it is exciting! I hope I can fall asleep tonight, I have to cook!

I hope you can sleep!

I don't remember how much you were going to renovate-- I seem to remember some large scale build out? I hope that you'll be able to use it this spring/summer? What a wonderful retreat!

Funky - we have been so patient on this one! Partly investigating the complexities and investigating the market and our reno options/costs, partly getting the price down (we got it 25% below list). But we will either do a gut reno and addition or a tear down. It will be over a year before we have a house to go to, I'd imagine.

We have a summer home on Cape Cod, and our property came with all kinds of rights of way to water, easements, view restrictions (some protecting us, some protecting neighbors). It's a bit of a thorny mess to work through when you purchase this kind of property. On the water = years and years of history to untangle.

It will be great fun following your progress.

Looking forward to hearing more!

Beth, yes, leave it to KSWL to give such a classical spin! I'm imagining you all now in diaphanous robes ...

Thanks, Annie.

Marina, yes, exactly! There wasn't one piece of property where the realtor didn't have to take out the survey, take a deep breath, and run through the particular set of quirks! The right of first refusal running to an heir of a the prior seller, though ... well that's was a new one on me. Let's hope that is put to bed soon now that we have a contract.

FYI, a link to the post I put on the building forum.

The most important question, of course, is - when would you like us all to come for the housewarming? ;-D

Sunny, summer 2014 work for you? LATE summer? lol

I recommend a glass of hot milk with a good shot of bourbon at bedtime tonight.

When we purchased our little lake house the property owners on each side of us had the right of first refusal or they could assign someone, so we were really freaked out that we wouldn't get our little house. They had to match the price we offered.

It all worked out. I hope yours does too. An heir to the original owner?? Wow! How fascinating. Let's hope no one wants it.

Another fun project for us to do, oh, I mean for YOU to do. Thanks for taking us along on the journey!!!

Happy Thanksgiving
Bee

So exciting -- and yes indeed the neighbourhood will be so lucky to have you and yours in their future! :)

Cyn, I didn't see Anything wrong w your post? thanks!.

SueB. I'm sure you can guess. Plus it will be on the invite for the summer 2014 gw party. : )

Thank you so much trail, teA and Bee!!, Lori, rafor, suja, outside, tinker!!! and fly!

Redlvr..... they could ASSIGN it? wow, that would make me crazy too. We have only one person to worry about.

Bronwynsmom, lol , it is forlorn.....

Happy Thxgiving all!

PS I do know the location and it is awesome.

I hope the right of first refusal situation has a time limit so that you're not on tenterhooks wondering whether you will be able to proceed.

BUT congratulations - have you picked colour schemes yet?

BL Fenton, Ten years ago, a Ms. X bought the property from Ms. Y. As part of the negotiations, Ms. Y and certain of her heirs had the right of first refusal on any future contract of sale between Ms. X and another party. It expires next year. My DH, an attorney, personally thinks the way it is written it is moot, but that's a whole 'nother story!
On to color schemes. I have some pretty good ideas, but I am open! The exterior will be white cedar shake allowed to turn light grey ... that is 100% given. I think the only color will be aqua exterior doors (I want to reuse the 1925 ones). In the interior I want to use a combo of painted wood floors and grey and white checkerboard linoleum. I also want to do a wall of old maps of the various places we have travelled to (we travel a lot). I will try to get some aqua through those, too. So, for now, aqua, grey, white, the usual suspects I guess! ANy suggestions?! I googled beach decor and it's all the same.

Chris,
Thanks. And thanks for sharing and helping me formulate educated assumptions about building, too!

Maire, Thanks!

Irish, it really is a special place! Thank you.

Flower, yes, I already posted my preliminary floorplan and an image of the exterior style I am going for on the building forum. Just like here, the people are great.