Friday, April 21, 2017

Real Estate Tycoons!

From Bella Terra Motorcoach Resort, Foley, Alabama           Today we became real property owners. It's been nearly 7 years since we held that title. But it's time now and we have feel absolutely no remorse at our decision last week to move forward with buying the lot at Bella Terra.


Lot 35-464 Portafino Loop
And so... this afternoon, in the resort office, we met with the closing agent from Crane Title Company to exchange money for our 4,500 square foot of coastal Alabama real estate.

Wayne writes our check to pay for the new lot as Jessica shares in our happy day. 
In a matter of minutes our lives began to transition as we ceremoniously placed a silver colored push-pin into the artist's rendered drawing of our lot within Bella Terra.

Left to Right: Jessica, Courtney, Wayne, Me, Katie and Jenny

Our idea on paper... 1st draft.
Next step is to nail down a design so construction can commence. I've created a rough drawing of the landscape, concrete pad design and structures we have in mind and we've submitted it to the architectural design company.


Construction is schedule to be complete in about 90 - 120 days. Bella Terra management will oversee the work.

Wayne and Billy, Bella Terra's Construction Supervisor
We will remain here most of the time during construction. This is the developer site from where we'll watch construction for the next few months. Yes, it's going to get hot. Real hot.

The site we call home while construction is ongoing. 
Now to remain calm and patient.... virtues I admit I just don't possess.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Bella Terra: Our Cure For The Seven Year Itch

From Bella Terra RV Resort, Foley, Alabama      In about 100 days, Wayne and I will mark the conclusion of our seventh year as full-time RV travelers. As a result, we developed the seven year itch.... the typical span of time it takes to need a little something new infused into our lives.




To remedy our malady we decided to buy an RV lot at Bella Terra of Gulf Shores. The property is actually in Foley, Alabama -- a short hop from the maddening crowds of the Gulf Shores beach. It's a nice resort, 147 sites surrounding a beautiful (though man-made) lake. Our site is a large 50' x 90' unimproved plot situated alongside a tall stand of woodlands recently designated a preserve -- meaning it will stay a tall stand of woodland, for our lifetime, at least.




Denise. As sweet as she looks.

We spent several days with Bella Terra Realtor, Denise Peoples, made a lot choice, signed our purchase agreement today and will close next week. Construction of our RV pad, a new "tiny" house, known in RV circles as a Casita (Spanish for small house), gazebo, covered outdoor kitchen and fireplace will commence immediately thereafter. Completion is expected within 120 days -- by mid-August and in time for football and the beginning of our eighth year. None of the improvements will replace our life in the coach. It will simply add living space to the lifestyle we know and love.  I'll share more, including pictures, as time goes by.

In the interim, we will split out time between Auburn, (seeing to Lexie and Ozzie at the vet school) Traverse City, Michigan and here at Bella Terra.

We are happy and our itch is being scratched.