Creating an Entrance

EddieWalker · Nov 28, 2004

i finally finished the blocks.

Originally i wanted the end colums to be just a little taller than the sign, but after looking at it, I realized I needed more height.

I think I got it just about right.

Next step is to fill the gaps in the white block with white mortor and put the rock on the columns.

Eddie Walker

bmac · Nov 28, 2004

Eddie,

Nice work. Looks like you are on the homestretch now.

I must have missed it somewhere in this discussion, but what is the sign going to say? "Southfork"? "Eddie's Place"?, "Eddie's Big Sign"?

BTW, no charge for my suggestions.

cwave · Nov 29, 2004

How about TBN RV Park - Member's stay free - Including TV Cable - High speed Internet - Pool - Rec center - 30 amp - 50 amp - Lake to fish. Camp Store - /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Bird · Nov 29, 2004

That sign's looking great, Eddie. I'll have to admit to a bit of curiosity about your project. Are you an experienced RVer yourself? I've seen my share of both good and bad RV parks, and everything in between; some extremely successful and others the exact opposite. And unfortunately, it takes a substantial investment of both time and money to develop a good one. What RV clientele are you shooting for? family vacations? weekenders? full-timers? transient? resident? RV club rallys?

Golfgar4 · Jan 6, 2005

So how's the sign coming Eddie? We're anxious to see the finished product. Take a good picture of it and post it. I'll copy the pic and print it out and put it in my RV notebook to remind me to look for it when we start traveling later this summer. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

EddieWalker · Jan 6, 2005

I was just thinking about doing some more work on it as a matter of fact. It's too muddy for running the tractors, so I'll be trying to finish it off in the near future.

It sure would be nice to say I'd be done with the park by summer, but there's just no way to tell when my land and house sell. I'm stuck until that happens first.

KiotiJohn · Jan 7, 2005

( It sure would be nice to say I'd be done with the park by summer, but there's just no way to tell when my land and house sell. I'm stuck until that happens first. )
Now, Eddie, you're killing me! First, you start building a great container barn, lose your wife, build a "container" apartment, and now you're selling it all? Did I miss the post where you explained about selling everything? My heart is breaking if you're selling the container barn and apartment. I found it quite exotic and desirable. John

EddieWalker · Jan 7, 2005

Thanks for the concern.

In order to build the park, I needed access to all the utilities and hwy frontage. I had to buy three different properties to get everything I wanted. Kind of a real estate nightmare that somehow worked out. Now I have over 300 acres of land. It's more than I need and too much debt for me to carry to make the next step in the development.

I've cut off the back 200 acres to sell. I've sold it twice on my own last year, but both times it fell apart. First time was a development group that couldn't get together on who was in charge and what they wanted to do. Too many chefs. The second time the buyer didn't show up on the day of signing. I threatened to sue him for half the survey, which he paid, but otherwise I'm back to square one.

Survey of 300 acres cost $9,500.

I've been buying a selling realestate in this area for the last couple years with the same realtor. I listed it with him a few months ago for $350,000. We had some interest at first, but it died down during the holidays. So far this week, I've had three serious inquiries into the place. It's priced to sell quick, as I'm not into making a profit on it, just want to free up my credit to build the park.

The house is a spec I built. It's a brand new 3/2 1,866 sq ft of living area in a nearby town. I've had four buyers who couldn't qualify. This week I lowered the price $5 grand and increased the buyers commision to 4 points.

I'm keeping the 100 acres and barn that I live in. This is all part of the plan to build the park.

I work on getting the land ready and doing a few projects on my own until things really get started. I can clear roads, pastures, building pads and dig a few ponds for the cost of diesel. Once the funding is in place, then I'm paying labor to do these things.

Eddie

KiotiJohn · Jan 7, 2005

( I'm keeping the 100 acres and barn that I live in. This is all part of the plan to build the park. )
I don't exactly know why, maybe having gone through the project with you vicariously through TBN, but I'm glad you're keeping it. Good luck on the sales. John

EddieWalker · Jan 13, 2005

On New Years day, my girlfriend and I are riding the four wheelers around, finding a trailer hidden in the trees, and generally goofing off. Around 2 pm or so, we hear some gunshots. This isn't an uncommon event were I live, so I didn't investigate. I did remark that they sounded kind of close, but left it at that.

That night I noticed the lights didn't come on at my entrance. They are on sensors and come on automatically.

Somebody shot out all four lights with a .22 on a busy State Highway. From the bullet pattern, they shot the first two from across the highway, then angled over to shoot out the other two.

I bought them from Home Depot here in Tyler. I went to the special services department and explained what happened and asked to order ten pieces of glass for the lights. The lights cost $59 each new.

She spent considerable time calling people to find out how to order the glass. Home Depot owns the light company, but nobody knew how to get the glass. After awhile and several managers and reps, it was decided to give me two brand new lights for two of my shot up ones.

I took the good glass out of the two I returned and now have enough to rebuild the other two.

Home Depot really came through for me. No charge and a satisfied customer!!!!!!!!!