Many
of you have been dreaming for many years of living
in a log home. Is it time to do something about
it?
The reasons for prolonging log home dreams are
as varied as the lives of those who are doing
the dreaming. Let's look at some of those reasons:
Financial Constraints - One
of the most common reasons to put off a log
home purchase is financial. The problem might
be high-priority family obligations, college
expenses, excessive debt, job instability, lack
of savings, or concern about financial future.
Job Constraints - Jobs can
impose requirements that make it difficult to
relocate. For example, if you travel in your
job, you may need to be located near an airport,
which might be a problem in your dream home
location.
Family Constraints - A desire
or need to be located near family can often
hamper plans to move to your dream home in the
mountains. Children may still be in school and
can't uprooted right now.
Health Constrains - Sometimes,
a need to be close to health care facilities
dictates where one lives. A dream home on an
isolated mountain-top simply wouldn't be practical
in this situation.
Lack of Commitment - In many
cases, log home dreamers are simply not quite
committed enough to take the next step. Some
like the idea of being a perpetual dreamer and
will never actually build. Others have higher
priority interests that override any serious
planning for a new home. Still others have difficulty
making decisions of such significance. After
all, moving to a log home is a change in lifestyle
for many people.
What To Do
There's nothing we can say here that will somehow
magically remove your constraints and get you
quickly on your way to building your dream log
home. However, we can suggest some things that
may help.
First, just a reminder that it's a certainty
that your life situation will change — guaranteed
— and that many of the reasons you now have
for not building your log home can easily go away
later — either because you made them change,
or just because.
Finances can improve, families change and move
around, kids get out of school, jobs come and
go, priorities often change. Therefore, if you
know you really want to live in a log home, prepare
yourself and be ready when the time is right.
It doesn't hurt to put your dreams on hold for
a little while until you can make everything fall
into place, but if you want to make your dreams
come true sooner rather than later, it's often
amazing what can be done once you set your mind
to it.
Make a plan and timetable. Write it down. Share
it with your family and friends. If your plan
is written down and talked about, it will become
more real and you'll have a greater sense of commitment.
Change your plan when the situation requires it
— but don't abandon it
Take a realistic look at your finances. If your
dreams are important, what financial adjustments
can you make? Reducing debt? Increasing savings?
Using equity in your current home? Finding sources
of additional income? What sacrifices are you
willing to make?
Consider this. You have to live somewhere
- why not in your dream log home? Unless you are
looking at a second home or vacation home, you
have to spend money on a place to live anyway.
Convert that equity in your 20 year-old home into
a beautiful new log home. It's possible that you
can live your dream for the same money you now
spend.
If job, family, or health are current constraints,
examine possible solutions that could get you
closer to making your dream home a reality. Write
down your ideas without trying to analyze them
right away. Be creative. Let your mind work freely.
It's entirely possible that you'll reveal solutions
that you would not have otherwise thought about.
Finally, decide how important it is to you to
live in your dream log home. Be realistic and
honest with yourself. If know you are a hopeless
dreamer, then keep dreaming and enjoy. But if
you really know that you want to live
your dream, make it happen. Do whatever it takes.
Many
of you have been dreaming for many years of living
in a log home. Is it time to do something about
it?