Lindsay and Daniel Sheron faced the daunting challenge of homeownership in an expensive Los Angeles market. With median home prices around $1 million, first-time buyers often struggle to find affordable options.
After years of renting — including a $900,000 Craftsman house in Portland and a small bungalow in Eagle Rock — the couple, both 36, hit a breaking point during their house hunt in Northeast Los Angeles. Realizing they could not afford to live in their desired neighborhood, Lindsay said, “If that’s what $900,000 gets you in Los Angeles, why don’t we look at land and see about designing and building our own house?”
Determined to create something of their own, the couple explored the possibilities of purchasing land rather than buying an existing home. Using Zillow, they identified and eventually bought a 4,300-square-foot hillside lot in Mount Washington for $212,000 in 2021. The property, featuring beautiful views of the San Gabriel Mountains, was crucially equipped with access to utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and also had a sewer manhole.
Their entire savings tied up in the land, the Sherons embraced a hands-on, cost-saving approach to construction. Lindsay, an architect, took the lead on design while they both served as general contractors, coordinating major trades like concrete, framing, and flooring. Despite her experience in architecture, Lindsay had never built a home before and found herself navigating unfamiliar territory such as securing a construction loan and interpreting municipal building codes.
Securing permits took seven months and required assistance from an expediter due to strict development regulations. Every aspect of construction presented potential hurdles, making the process straightforward only in theory. “Every step of approval is not straightforward,” Lindsay admitted, emphasizing the challenges of managing inspections without professional help.
Daniel, a musician with little construction experience, leaned heavily on Lindsay’s expertise. “Because she has a background in construction administration on huge commercial projects, she had the answers when a concrete contractor had questions about what PSI concrete to pour,” he remarked.
From the outset, integrating nature into their project was a priority for Lindsay. Inspired by renowned architects, she designed a three-bedroom house that harmonized with the ‘cul-de-sac’ and the landscape. As she explained, “I designed the house to descend into the hill rather than being perched on top of the street.” This choice aimed to reduce the sense of intrusion on neighbors and enhance the indoor-outdoor connection.
The couple took on extensive hands-on work, including constructing interior trim and undertaking waterproofing measures for all doors and windows. They also dealt with challenges presented by Tropical Storm Hilary in August 2023, where they manually covered their framing with tarps. “That was stressful,” Lindsay recalled, highlighting the demands of managing their own construction site without a dedicated crew.
In addition to construction challenges, they faced unexpected fees. By the end of the project, they had paid the city more than $80,000, which included fees designed to deter home development despite potential discounts meant for ADUs (accessory dwelling units). Reflecting on alternate decisions, Lindsay noted that knowing about the ADU fee structure could have influenced her strategy significantly.
When it was time to obtain their Certificate of Occupancy last December, the couple encountered another financial surprise in the form of a parks and recreation mitigation fee, which Daniel described as a necessary financial burden at an inopportune time. “We were tapped out at that point,” he said, thus resorting to using a credit card to cover the $8,000 fee.
Three years later, after navigating the labyrinth of construction and permitting challenges, they completed a house reflective of their endurance and personal touches. The home features a carport influenced by designs from the historic Poppy Peak neighborhood in Pasadena, leading into an open, light-filled central space with sweeping views that connect multiple levels.
Inside, the layout eschews traditional hallways, which Lindsay described as allowing for a connected circulation space. “We say this is a house with no hallways,” she said, emphasizing efficient space planning. The living areas are designed to be warm and inviting, with oak floors and exposed Douglas fir beams adding character.
The kitchen stands out with its custom green cabinets and a playful orange metal hood that injects personality. Throughout the space, Lindsay prioritized natural elements such as Western hemlock planks on walls and ceilings, aiming to create warmth and a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors. The exterior, clad in charred wood siding, was initially met with skepticism since many assumed they would opt for traditional stucco.
Towards the project’s conclusion, the couple faced a new challenge; they could no longer afford their rent and moved in with a friend for four months while they finalized the installation of floors and drywall. The experience of “squatting” in their own unfinished home was filled with tension, with Daniel entertaining himself by listening to music while completing nighttime carpentry. “I’d fill the house with the dulcet tones of Les Baxter,” he recalled with a smile.
Looking back, both Lindsay and Daniel expressed that the biggest challenge was the burden of responsibility resting solely on them. Lindsay explained that it was difficult to break away from managing the day-to-day tasks. “So many times I wished we could make a to-do list and give it to someone,” she said. Daniel echoed her sentiment, emphasizing their unique collaboration strengthened their partnership.
Interestingly, the project taught the couple to appreciate each other’s strengths. Lindsay valued Daniel’s commitment during the build, as he was able to be more hands-on while she balanced working full time. Their differences made the collaboration more enriching, allowing both to contribute to the vision of their home.
Longtime friend Nicolas Sohl, who recalls walking the boundary lines with the couple, highlighted how their relationship shone through their collaborative efforts in building their home. “Their love for each other is evident in the attention to detail in the home they chose to build together,” he noted.
Ultimately, their original goal was to keep construction costs under $1 million. By the end of the project, they borrowed slightly more but managed to build their home approximately 45% cheaper than similar homes in their area, where current listings range around $2 million.
As they stepped into the New Year, the couple made a momentous decision to set aside their tools and host a gathering with 30 friends. The flowing champagne and open layout allowed for a celebratory atmosphere, where friends danced throughout the living spaces.
Such moments become even more valuable after three years of perseverance through challenges as general contractors in their own project. “Our friends say we seem way more at ease now,” Lindsay concluded, looking forward to the satisfying completion of their journey.
image source from：latimes
