Today's walk through.

Today (02/05/2014) I went to my house in the afternoon. I asked the project manager if I could go in, and he said "sure". The second floor still had not been framed, but the firewall between the units had been installed. Also, the HVAC duct materials were in the home. But the big news, they framed the garage in today.

I also stopped by the single family model, where the blueprints for the house are located, and stopped by the model (which is also a Mozart w/ garage) to gather some ideas.

The blueprints show the house is being built to spec as far as the 24" on center interior wall between the recreation room and study. I'll kindly ask if they can add some extra meat to the wall for mounting cabinets and the TV.

I also have been grappling with a small issue: Where to put the litter box? With a German Shepherd, I don't want him to be causing the cat grief when she uses the litter box. Currently, I live in a townhouse where the basement bathroom was just roughed in, and is used as storage. I installed a doggie door in the door, and keep the cat box in there. It keeps the smell down, and keeps the dog out. I have come up with a possible solution:

This looks like a promising location for a "kitty door" for a litter box.

This is how the finished space in the model looks.

I noticed the way the house is framed, that space under the stairs is hollow. A small dog door can fit there. Inside that space under the stairs is not utilized. I verified in the model that this space is accessible. So I am considering putting the litter box into that space. The key is how to prevent the odors from going into the ventilation system.

I also tried to locate a sample of my kitchen cabinets and granite, but they did not have either at the model. The salesperson that was there (she is new to the community), let me see the updated appliance guide. I have the Deluxe I Freestanding 4GE appliance package in white. This includes:
GE 30" freestanding convection range, model #JGB690DEFWW
GE Dishwasher with front controls, model #GDF520PGDWW
GE 1.9 Cu Ft. Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven, model #JVM7195DFWW
I also have the "A" refrigerator in white, model #GTH18GCDWW

I was happy to find out that my refrigerator comes with an ice maker and glass shelfs. My friend that I am giving the fridge to, it ends up, this is the exact model he bought for his bar fridge (this will be his garage fridge).

Photos from today:

I have garage framing.

I am so glad I don't have a Strauss with garage. There is about 6' between the house and the garage.

My front door.

View from the back door into my garage.

View out the right living room window. I will have a view of open space conservation, instead of other houses.

View out the left living room window.

The dormer, window painted black. I am hoping that the project manager can get permission from the higher ups to instead do a spray on or sheet opaquing, so the dormers can be lit at night.

My view out my bedroom window towards the garage.

The upstairs has not been framed yet, but that should be coming in the next couple days.