Howdy Catfish, awesome that the mail has already made it there
That was fast.
Well, it really does not get cold here, probably only gets to -2 once or twice a year, and only as low as 4~6 for a week or two. Mostly the winter here is 7+.
The land I was looking at did not have a house yet. I included that image as an example of what I want to build. I am now back to the stage of looking for land... it will probably take a while.
I agree, the building aspect is a lot of work but also fun and gratifying. I have done some of this before. I will have a contractor pour the foundation and build the frame and roof, then I will hang the windows, doors, add trim, walls, and sheetrock, etc. as I have time.