Danielle and Roy have been tied to their Colorado land since the 1920s, when Danielle’s grandparents first arrived in a covered wagon to settle their homestead. Her grandmother, born in 1900, was a young woman when her family loaded her birthday piano and traveled West to the site. That same piano will soon be a centerpiece in the new home the couple is building, a cherished family heirloom that will meld the past with the present.
Land and Legacy
The land itself holds a special place in Danielle and Roy’s hearts. When Danielle’s grandmother passed away without a will, the family pitched in to keep the property together, preserving over 400-acres. Even while raising their own children in the city, they ensured they spent summers and holidays on the homestead.
Napkin Design to Construction Loan
As they approach retirement, Danielle and Roy are bringing their vision for the property to life. Roy spent nearly 15 years planning the home, even carving a clay model of the unique butterfly roof to ensure it would blend with the surrounding mountains. “We still have the napkins that Roy used to draw out his original plans and we plan to frame them in the house,” Danielle said.
Those napkins and clay models were shared with the architect as the foundation of their vision. The home is designed to be self-sufficient and sustainable, with features that capture rainwater and harvest natural light to reduce their reliance on utilities.
“Things came together so easily with Rural 1st and they were there every step of the way. You couldn’t ask for more when you’re going through something like this.”
Their journey wasn’t without challenges and Danielle and Roy credit Rural 1st with providing the support and trust they needed. “Things came together so easily with Rural 1st,” Danielle said. “They were there every step of the way. You couldn’t ask for more when you’re going through something like this.”
After a rocky start with another lender, Rural 1st’s transparency and seamless process helped ease their anxieties, allowing them to focus on what truly mattered: building a place for their family to call home for generations to come.
A Kitchen Fit for Everyone
Their passion for family is evident in every detail of their new home, especially the kitchen. Designed with a massive island, the kitchen is intended to be the heart of the home. “Relationships are built over food and in the kitchen. People remember those things, so having a large enough kitchen where everyone can hang around and reminisce together was important to us,” Roy said.
As for the expansive property, they envision their children and grandchildren working the land alongside them, raising horses and cows and enjoying the simple beauty of their rural life.
Danielle and Roy plan for their new house to be a forever home, where their kids will always have a place to return to and a legacy that will be passed down for generations to come.
Interested in financing a rural legacy of your own? Connect with a Rural 1st loan officer today to learn more.
