Any wannabe house designers or draftsmen BP members?

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Any wannabe house designers or draftsmen BP members?

Rich Weese
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes

Are there any house designers or wannabes here on BP? I'm getting ready to start a couple more homes in my subdivision in South Texas. I have a plan I really like for one of the lots but I want to build on one of my other lots that has an extra utility easement down the side, which limits the width.

Here is what I want. I need a four bedroom, two bath, two car garage (minimum 20' wide) with entry from the front in approximately 1400 to 1600 ft.². The key is the width of the house may be no more than 46.5 feet wide. The depth of the house has no concern. I would like the kitchen, Nook, and family room with views to the rear. A covered patio would be a nice extra.

If I select your design to build, I will pay you $500. You do not need to do foundation, framing, electrical, or roof drawings. Simply a one sheet floor plan with individual dimensions will suffice.

You don't have to be a draftsman or architect and hopefully someone will enjoy this practice. It might be something you will use for yourself somewhere down the line!

Imagine the braggings rights, having designed a house for Rich Weese, tic.

Rich

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Uwe S.
Property Manager · Dublin, OH · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 291 votes
14y

Karen M.,
thanks for the insight. My design was not for Germany but with german edgy :).
Biggest problem was for me the garage and the closets, in Germany we don't have a garage in front of the house mostly on left or right side and not connected with house. I'm unfamiliar with closets, in Germany we use real cupboards for it.
So we have big differences in design but was an good experience for me.

-Uwe

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Sorry Charles. You're too late to the party. I've been whittling these down for a few weeks and we're down to final 2. I appreciate your interest. Rich

    0Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    I haven't forgotten this. I've started my 7 week RV trip and continuing on to Yellowstone today. If nothing else, I'll try to get the final 2 plans scanned and posted later tonite or tomorrow. Thanks to all who entered. Rich

    1Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Have fun! I wanna be you :)

    0Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Hey world traveler... have you made a decision on the plan yet? I've been waiting to see the final plans posted, just to see what the others were. Hope you're having a great time on your vacation!

    0Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    I've not had time yet! Kids wanted to do a 4 wheel "trail ride". SEVEN hours to top of the mountains outside Yellowstone. Gorgeous, but exhausting. I'm pretty close on the final . Rich

    1Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Sounds like a lot of fun! We used to have quads and ride, plus Michael used to ride freestyle shows, doing all the crazy jumps and stuff when he was in his teens. One of his friends still uses our house on 20 acres in Redding for practicing as he rides all over the world. So, we understand the draw of the kids riding! Stay safe, and have fun :)

    0Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    I have a winner! I wanted to scan and post all the final 3 and see which would receive the most votes from fellow BP members. One of the 3 has not given permission for me to post his without knowing if he won or not! I'm working on him and hope to have all 3 by tomorrow to post-with someones' help! (Steve Babiak?) Rich

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    14y

    Rich,

    I suggest uploading the scans to the BiggerPockets File Place; here are links:

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/25/topics/64756-bp-update-6-1-the-biggerpockets-file-vault-is-now-live-

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/25/topics/65654-biggerpocket-fileplace-getting-your-reviews-of-files

    Once they are uploaded, we can discuss how to create a link to the file place so that users can browse the submissions.

    0Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/venomousviper/file/3-floor-plans--all-finalists

    I want to thank Steve Babiak for his help in posting this. I hope it works!

    These are the 3 finalists from all plans submitted. For fun, I'm asking any BP members that are interested, to vote on # 1, 2, or 3. This littel exercise is over and I will build 1 of the 3. Thanks to all for their input. It was good practice for many-now go design and build your own! Rich

    0Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Rich Weese The biggest part of the challenge was for designers to keep the width of the house to 46.5 feet AND you needed 4 Bdrms! I didn't think it could be done.

    0Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    I give up on trying to post the link. This is to authorize ANYONE to fix the link .... Thanks. Rich

    0Reply
  • Dave M.
    Residential Landlord · Chicago, IL · Member since 2012 · 356 posts · 81 votes
    14y

    The link was working - looks like you made an edit and it stopped working - I've re-posted it below for ya...

    0Reply
  • Dave M.
    Residential Landlord · Chicago, IL · Member since 2012 · 356 posts · 81 votes
    14y

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/venomousviper/file/3-floor-plans--all-finalists

    1Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Thanks Dave- I guess each person has to download it- I wanted it to just pop up. Rich

    2Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    14y

    Rich,

    You're welcome!

    The FilePlace does not allow for things to just pop up; the "download" button must be used to get the file.

    The link that isn't working is missing a ']' character after the first occurrence of "url".

    0Reply
  • Dave M.
    Residential Landlord · Chicago, IL · Member since 2012 · 356 posts · 81 votes
    14y

    Rich Weese - Steve Babiak is right, if you either quote or edit your original comment with the link you can just add the - ] - symbol right after the first instance of [url in your post. Funny thing is you got it exactly right initially, then for some reason changed it so it wouldn't work!

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    14y

    i vote for the one at the bottom..i'll assume that's #3

    2Reply
  • Andy B.
    Real Estate Attorney · Dallas, TX · Member since 2011 · 124 posts · 29 votes
    14y

    I mixed them up after I printed them -- but I like the one that has the hand written 1540 sq.ft. best with my second choice being the one designed by Michael.

    0Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Maybe a new thread name would have brought in more people to vote, I know it's been a headache for you to get these on as it is. :) On the 1545 (middle one) are there any windows in the bedrooms? I know the master doesn't have any, wasn't sure on the others.

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    14y

    My order of preference is #3, then #1, then #2. I would still suggest tweaks (like where is the furnace).

    0Reply
  • Marc Freislinger
    Flipper · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 973 posts · 679 votes
    14y

    My vote would be 3, 1, 2. Around here, not having a window in a bedroom would be a code violation, as well as a tough sell. #2 looks like it has 3 bedrooms with no windows.

    0Reply
  • Brian LevredgePro Member
    Investor · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 903 votes
    14y

    I'd like to see 1 put into a program so the lines are cleaner. I think it is the best floor plan although you could put the W/D into the utility room and then convert that space to a entry closet or something different. I like that the living areas/kitchen are in the center with the bedrooms on the periphery. I think it's got a nice flow to it.

    3 is a very good design as well. My only critique would be that the house is essentially cut in half with bedrooms on one side and the living areas/kitchen on the other.

    2 would be my third choice.

    0Reply
  • Kama Ward
    Investor · Asheville, NC · Member since 2012 · 184 posts · 76 votes
    14y

    1# is the best by far!
    reasons:
    a. best entry- you see the 'big and pretty' space as soon as you open the front door- possibly through to the back yard
    b. separate master from other bedrooms
    c. widest great room- appears more spacious
    d. mstr, 2, & 3 bedroom are flexible as where to put window
    e. bd 4 has three different places to put the door, depending how you want to emphasis it as bed or office/den
    f. bath 2 is most easily accessible to main living area

    *worst thing is master entry through dining- no way- entry must be through nook- so juggle around the laundry and wic

    2# is not acceptable

    3# is ok but not as good as 1#- entry to hall, master next to other bed, great room skinnier, bd 2 & 3 only one side window choice

    Speaking as a 'housewife' instead of an investor- I would buy 1# 10 times out of 10- even if it had the master entry through the dining.

    0Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Thanks for the replies so far. Keep your thoughts coming. I guess it is no longer a secret that # 2 was submitted by my German friend Uwe. The laws are different there about bedroom windows. # 1 and # 3 were the finalists, and winner was already notified. Some of the changes mentioned are great and will be changed prior to const. One ot these will be built this year in my subdivision. Thanks again. Rich

    1Reply
  • Uwe S.
    Property Manager · Dublin, OH · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 291 votes
    14y

    Haha, yes thats correct #2 is of mine :). My first US design so please don't kick me now from BP ;).
    After I know now all laws and other things like laundry location, I would re-design this plan. so if there anyone who wants a floorplan for nothing, send me an email.

    -Uwe

    1Reply
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