Acreage - Page 2

JMD · #11 04-07-2009, 03:04 AM

IAFarmer after rereading your post I see you have boys,if you remodel this old house there will be lots of dust and most likley lead paint dust this is very dangerous for your boys,lead effects kid's and pets more than adults. At the very least have a lead inspector check were the lead is. Many state now make you remove all lead paint before you sell and many more are headed in that direction, once they pass that law you have to hire a lead abatement contractor to remove, and if that sounds like lots of money you are correct. I hope this helps you with your problem. 42 yrs swinging a hammer. And I still say RUN. JMD

#12 04-07-2009, 03:22 AM

One last thought-

If the strucure is wasted as you describe will walls and roof line bowing then I'll guess nights and weekends with help of friends and sons this will take you a minimum of 16 months to complete. One thing always leads to another and there is always more to it than the wanting eye can see. I suggest you find a private lender who will foot the capital for the repairs while you get a mortgage on the property this is of coarse concidering that you can handle two payments and then once you sell your existing home and move into the remodeled home you can refinance and pay off the private investor, be careful though and have an attorney draw up the agreement.

I've done this myself and with my family envolved I'd never do it again, it's a challenge but going about it this way at least you're not living in the mess you're creating.

Scott

cadurning · #13 04-07-2009, 09:54 AM

If the land is worth the money, buy it and have the house demolished. Then build the house of your dreams or have another house moved onto the property. Around here there are several houses for sale for $1. All you have to do is move it. I'll bet you can find a structurally sound house that's in the way of a parking lot.

If you need to live on the property during the transition, I'll bet you can rent a mobile home for the short time that it takes to get a house erected. Then have the mobile removed. Voila!! Dream house & dream acrage.

IAfarmer · #14 04-07-2009, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I decided against it for many of the reasons you stated here. I'm a mechanic, not a carpenter.

My wife is getting over it and doing well. Emotions can get in teh way sometimes.

I really appreciate all you added. Great place we have here!!!

Dr_mac · #15 04-19-2009, 10:19 PM

Buy the property with the consideration the house is just a pile of lumber.
Tear down the house save waht you can and start over with a floor plan the wife wants. As it will not matter what you want as far as the house goes . what you want is a nice large barn and a nice small HEATED shop.

Been there done that .

Dr mac

elevenpoint · #16 04-20-2009, 11:07 PM

I have rarely had a project like these be worth it in the end including my own fixer upper that I could not live without

Mountain Heritage · #17 01-20-2011, 12:40 PM

Do we get to see pictures of the property you now own? Bet it looks great.

Stitch · #18 01-20-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAfarmer

I want to throw something out to you guys.

Been looking at an acreage with a house that was built in 1885. I currently live on a lot that us just under an acre, with lots of trees and really is nice, but doesn't have a lot of Cub room, or garden space.

The house is bowing inward at the top floor. I would need to install a new kitchen, and there is tons of patchwork to do on crumbling walls.

Structural engineer says the foundation is fine, but needs some improvement downstairs due to a foundation wall being pushed out to expand a crawl space. In adequate structuring was put in place to hold up the floor.

What might I be getting myself into? Gut says run, wise old man from home says run, but wife is in tears over this. The land is excellent, and would be great for me, the boys, and my tractor lust.

What would you do (though I know you haven't seen it).

Where's the place at? I could come down and give you an estimate on what it would take to do what you want done. I don't expect you to give me the work (although that'd be cool), but I'll help you out. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

And for the record, the house I'm building is 2000 square feet, has vaulted ceilings, a family room with reclaimed barn boards on the walls and corner jacuzzi tub. It's costing me around $40,000 total (heating and cooling included, but all labor done by me). A little money can go a long way if you put the work in.