Sunday, June 21, 2015

House Project files (pt.1)

In 2005, I bought a house & lot (attached, corner lot) from a low-cost housing project located in Mactan Island, Cebu. The purchase was a product of (me) wanting to invest in real property. I was single at that time and had savings enough for a downpayment. The balance was mortgaged to Pag-Ibig. Five years after purchase, I was debt-free.

The house before 'The Project'. There was already an extension built at the back and surrounding fence had been installed (covered with vines). The poor thing has not seen a human stepped inside in a long time. 


2015: The house is in the brink of deterioration and badly needs improvement since it's been uninhabited for eight years. Both T and I were out of the country so it never occurred to us the immediate need to renovate it. There were plans of renovation and to have it rented but things have changed. We have decided to make it as our primary abode while Amber is growing. A place to encapsulate her childhood memories. Anything can change but so far this is definitely the closest to reality. If plans change like migration or whatever, we'll try to figure it out when it happens. For the time being, a home for us is the priority.

The quality of course is not good but what is there to expect from low-cost housing. However, it can be improved by contracting a third party to do the engineering, procurement and construction. Good thing, the contractor is a friend of T's. Currently, construction is in-progress. T is the assigned Project Manager but I always have some input at everything. The renovation excluding the kitchen details and cabinets (my favorite part) is expected to cost more than half million (almost the same as the pre-selling price of the unit in 2005).

Renovation formally began in late May. We got rid of the French windows because those are soo passe. In place will be plain tinted glass windows because they look modern and easier to clean.

The door on the second floor does not lead to nowhere. It will lead to the terrace (explains the exorbitant renovation costs!). The original layout of the house is actually very small which led to a decision to have it extended for the kitchen area. The extension was constructed five years ago to which we never got to finish due to priorities.

Interior. The house is now full of holes, LOL. We really took the natural light seriously.

The doorway at the left leads to a recess that leads to the bathroom and the middle door leads to the master's bedroom (located above the kitchen).

It's funny because before my heart was never into it, putting too much effort on the renovation or make it as an official residential mailing address. The primary reason was Amber. A dwelling place for her. For us. 

As the construction progresses, the more I am getting excited. I even created a Pinterest board to draw some inspiration, have been itching to visit Ikea to shop for interiors at this very early stage, and I constantly expedite PM for updates with photos! That's how demanding and excited I am. About the cost, I have long accepted it because quality matters most to me. I could care less about the exterior (we both want just simply white painted all over and huge glass windows for natural light) but the interior should be amazing (defined as all white with a splash of neutrals here and there, and modern lighting fixtures). 

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