The "Bachelorette Pad"

The concept was simple: create a multi-generational living situation that would include Mom, me, and my remaining minor child, who was a high school senior studying remotely due to Covid. My townhouse didn't have enough space for all of us, and Mom's condo didn't either. 

We (I) had a few requirements:

• Single story or two-story with a lift chair.
• Four bedrooms - one for me, one for Mom, one for my HS senior, and one (or an equivalent space) that I could use for my office.
• 2-1/2 baths preferred - both Mom and I have hair regimes that consume time and space. This sounds vain, but I'm being real with you here.
• A safe shower - Mom's condo had only tub/shower combos, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to step in and out safely.
• A fenced yard, or one that could be fenced - we have two dogs, and although I walk them daily, we need to be able to let them outside more frequently without being out in the weather. Mom wasn't - and isn't - able to walk them safely, even though they are fairly small.
• Not a lot of maintenance required - I've got painting experience, a drill driver and basic tools, but not the knowhow to tackle more than decorative projects.

Our timing was well into the months (years) of the Covid housing boom. Everybody seemed to be competing to move to spaces buffered from immediate contact with other people. Real estate inventory, especially in our desired school district, was almost nonexistent. And prices of building materials were rising by the day.

After looking at a few homes that were badly in need of updating or repair, one that had a blatant safety hazard right inside the front door, and one that was literally sliding slowly down a hill, we decided to build. And to stay in our budget we had to go  outside our first choice location. Fortunately, the school year would be far enough along with a building project that we wouldn't disrupt graduation from our "home" high school.

It wasn't my first go-around with this particular builder, they had a good reputation, and building meant that I could customize (within reason) to meet our needs. We signed the contract to lock in the lowest price for the project, and were off to the races.