Going to look at a house UPDATE W/ PICS

[silkiechicken]

I also say it depends on location. Is it somewhere you want to be? .15 acres of just grass and rocks, wedged between existing buildings out of town will go for 100k around here no problem. If I were to buy a place like that, I'd look into building code stuff and just plan on dozing the current house and putting up a new one if "too many" things have to be done to restore it. Without a good foundation and house support, there's no point in covering it up in new materials just to have it rot from the inside. To me... the house will probably do better as a fixer upper to be used as a barn. Not sure how the moisture is where you are, but if a building is out here like that, it would be mold heaven in no time.

I'd also look into fire service, hospital distances, potential development in the area that could strip your rights to animals, and environmental things that might be hiding 2-3 inches under the soil or in the woods that could cause problems. If someone used the far back corner of the woods as a dump site sometime in the past, it could cost thousands to fix.

But hey, doesn't hurt to go look!

 

[Fudgie]

I agree with most of the postings here. It will take a lot of work but My husband and i do the work ourselves and take our time. As long as it is liveable, you can do one room at a time and fix it up as you go.

Also to the poster about using it for hay, you are correct, however, don't discount the improvements that can be done by running about 20 cattle(or goats or whatever eats stuff) on that 10 acres. They will clear that grove of trees quicker than you can blink. My husband had to learn that the hard way, he would not listen to me. And our pasture is so cool with the canopy of trees covering the woods. It is clear below and grass grows on the woods flooring.

After you get the basic brush cleared out by animals you can slowly start clearing out trees to make room for the hay field. It does not have to be done all at once. For someone needing a pasture for their horse, or a few cows. that sounds ideal!

If your kids are 9-17 they can help out with building and it will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment in helping build THEIR house with you and dad!

Also, you don't have to get the most expensive items to fix up the house. Talk to the lumber yards etc. Sometimes they have roofing materials that are out of style but good as new that they will sell at a discount. Same for vinyl siding or aluminum siding, guttering, carpet, linoleum, etc. They don't offer it but they will if asked. They want it gone as bad as you want to buy it.

It all depends on how much you are willing to work and attain the goals you all decide on. Good luck and I LOVE the little house. Lots of character.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
The house is in the middle of well, no where. On the page the house is on, using the link above, click the "map area" and you will see what is around it.

I believ the hospitals and all are maybe a 30 minute drive. Will ask about that. There is a pond on the property. You will see that with the satelite map. There are 3 other houses on the road, not a long road, but this house is at the end of it.

My hubby just told me that if I see any sign of NO at all in him, he said that we will end the conversation with the realtor, and tell him that we are not interested.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
If we did purchase this house, we would redo one room at a time. I know about clearing, I have 3 goats already in my backyard.

And yes the kids would help and yes it would be a learning experience for them. And I am one of these people that aren't afraid to ask for anything. Right now at our current house our chicken coop is a 10x12 and it has 2 runs attached that is 16x24 each, we also have half the backyard fenced in which is about 1/2 acre and with all that we have about $500 wrapped up in it all. How? because I asked for discounts and cull lumber and fencing.

I am a very savvy person when it comes to getting something, that's why i said maybe I can talk the owners into giving it to me.

You never know until you ask.

 

[Bec]

Quote:
Me too!!! There is one up the road a bit from me and it sat all alone in this HUGE field up on a hill. No one had lived in it for as long as I can remember. When I saw the new neighborhood sign go up, I knew it was doomed! BUT actually, they kept it there, fixed it up and built onto it!! I was so happy!!! I always loved that house, even though it was nothing nice to look at. I just knew it had to have lots of history!

If we had the money and the time, I would definitely look into fixing one up!!

Good! I hate it when folks tear old houses and barns down. Its fun to go look at 'em and see how folks used to live, ya know? Theres one down here and it has one little room with a fireplace. Thats it. Can you imagine livin with a whole family in one room?! Oh man, that'd be rough!

No way! BUT if it were just me that would be pretty cool!!!

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Went to see the house and I loved it. My hubby even seen the potential that the little house house had. Our kids also liked it, after we told them what each room could look like. We really liked when we were walking the property and noticed Apple trees, Pecan trees, Plum trees, Peach trees and Pear trees. WOW! I would be canning up a storm.

It had a large field that hubby said would be the garden. It is grown over a bit and that would have to be brush-hogged. It had 3 out buildings but only 2 could be used. One of the buildings is actually set up as a coop with an attached run but no fencing on it. The other building would actually have to go. I opened the door and it was filed with insulation.

It also has a small fenced in area where we could house the goats temporarily. All of the rooms but 1 is about 14 X 14. The overall soundness of the house is great for the age. The outside wood covering is in (what I think) great condition, for the age. The roof is a tin roof, which would have to be cool sealed, but is in good condition (no holes).

There are 4 huge....HUGE trees that shade the house, so we could actually get by with a window unit or 2 in the summer and get a wood heater for the winter. Well I have given all the info I can for now. I am in the process of uploading pics to post here, so keep checking back to see the pics.

 

[ibpboo]

This sounds exciting!! I'm so happy every one liked it!! A chicken building already, yahooooooooooo!!
I still have to look at the link, but maybe I will just wait for your pics to come.

Oh, I wish you good luck, even I am excited!!

 

[mjdtexan]

Thats $3900 an acre. If thats around market value or below it get it ifin you like it

 

[vfem]

In times like these if you can afford it, go for it.... it will be worth 100x more in a great economy. Just be prepared for work.

My husband and I bought a fixer upper and moved in May 30th. $113k for a 14 year old house, with just an acre.... but it had a few updates, but the people ran out of money to finish and were going into foreclosure. It was just the market was unfair to them... and they over spent. BUT we're so worn out I wanna scream. One little job after the other to get through a 20 page list. Yet we managed to do the coop for fun, and just for us.


Again, if you LOVE it, you will LOVE to work on it. Don't lose a good deal for something that will make you happy.

 

[tpflabs]

Quote:
Oh man, wish I could find that around here, I just looked up a piece that I would LOVE to have, it is sitting at $22,000 an acre..
as my grandfather use to say- they are not making any more land.. buy it.. !!