In general, large back yards with space enough for a swimming pool, large gardens with space enough to plant a small vineyard or orchard, and large houses with space enough to accommodate guests that comprise a large family are scarce in Israel. Those from North America and Europe used to living in a large one family house, with a large garden, large backyard, and even a pool, are hard pressed to find housing with the creature comforts they were accustomed to.
Unique to this town, we will have the opportunity to build houses that are congruent with the homes we are comfortable with; larger houses on larger building lots than the norm in Israel.
Although land is plentiful in the Shomron, communities are built like ant colonies. Regardless of the amount of building lots purchased by an individual in a Yishuv, the Israeli Ministry of Housing generally requires that houses be built only on each half dunam (500 square meters). Even where there are thousands of dunam available for construction, the houses in previously built yishuvim are built close together. Only in regions where the land is at a premium because it is being fully utilized for agriculture does utilizing space parsimoniously make some sense. In the Shomron where land is plentiful, large homes on larger lots should create a uniquely beautiful community. By building on private land that was bought from private Arabs, we will have big building lots and will build large houses.
The reason it is cheaper than standard Israeli construction is that rooms in American style houses are larger, especially the bedrooms, and as a result there are less rooms per net/sq. ft. as there is fewer interior walls. For the houses that are larger than 500 sq meters, it will be proportionately more, and for the houses that are smaller, it will be proportionately less. Also the fancy architectural detail like the marble mantels, marble pools, fountains, and arches are extra and up to the individual home owner.
The contractor is Bar-On who is doing some projects in Hertiliya and Nvei Menachem. They build big projects like 5 star hotels and malls. If we build at least 50 houses, they would deliver a 500 meter house for $300,000, except luxury items like jacuzzis, sub-zero refrigerators with panels that match the cabinets, etc. For Olim, the extras would be imported using the oleh rights, but the builder would install it. If you want Kohler bathroom fixtures and solid wood (no pressboard sides or backs) kitchens, you would bring it in the lift with the other things you would want in the house including chandaliers, wallpaper, carpeting, etc, and they would install it. They agreed to include the installation as part of the $300,000.
This contractor would like us to select the three models that will be most desired, and begin this project building the three styles, with some modifications so that each house is unique.Also, they want us to give them all the specs up front, including details like color of floor tiles, as their calcualtions include going in and doing it without going back and forth with time consuming deliberations. If they know up front, they order the materials in bulk and it comes out cheaper for them.
While we are all waiting to see what plays out in Washington, we can begin forming the group. I am still working on finding out if we can get insurance that will protect us from another renegotiation that makes this Palestine. If I can't get insurance, I want to develop the options where the builder and other investor-developer assume the risks and the home buyer makes monthly payments equivalent to a mortgage on $300,000. These payments are either a rent to own scenario, installment sale, or each house is obtained by the developer being the general partner and the buyer the limited partner. Each house would be a separate corporation and the general partner would sign a bank mortgage and the limited partner would make monthly payments, the bank mortgage monthy payments, and thereby buy out the general partner at the end of the term. If the house is lost, it is the general partner and the bank that takes the loss until they get damages from the government.
Dramatic 2-story Tower Foyer, Family, and Living. Brain room upstairs with Bonus over garage. 3Br/ 3Ba upstairs. Master downstairs w/Study. Island Kitchen. 2 Fireplaces, graceful curved stairway, pool bath, 3 car side load. 5,643 SF. 91'w x 82'8"d. Block first; frame second
Designed by John Henry Design International, Inc. 7491 Conroy Windermere Rd., Orlando, Florida 32835
French Classic on two floors. Media Room next to Family connected to stair tower. Two story Foyer w/ Grand Stair. 5 secondary Bedrooms.
This 4,749 SF two story Gothic romance has a circular stair in Foyer w/ Master, Library, Family and Island Kitchen w/Mudroom downstairs. 3 bedrooms 21/2 ba upstairs with Game room. Pdr/ Pool bath. Angular plan fits a 95'w x 83'4" pad with 3 car side load garage. Block first floor, frame second.
