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- #31
pioneergirl
Wannabe Pioneer
Oh the plans I have just for the outside!!! Color, flowers, herbs, soooo much stuff!! Again I say, I talk like I've got it bought 
Pros/Cons of a rock house? Pics pg 3 dial up friendly
- Thread starter pioneergirl
- Start date
bibliophile birds
Lovin' The Homestead
wow, PG, that place is beautiful! it's almost exactly the kind of place i have in mind to build, but i'm leaning towards haybale construction...
TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
Wow, that's prety cool looking.
g
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dragonlaurel
Improvising a more SS life
I like it. Here's a couple things to think about-
Lots of people used to close off spare rooms in the winter to save fuel. Some off the old houses were designed to do that.
Which side are most of those windows? If they are on the North, that side would get colder.
You could make a small lean-to style greenhouse if you are changing the back porch. It could extend your growing season and provide some extra warmth for the house.
Lots of people used to close off spare rooms in the winter to save fuel. Some off the old houses were designed to do that.
Which side are most of those windows? If they are on the North, that side would get colder.
You could make a small lean-to style greenhouse if you are changing the back porch. It could extend your growing season and provide some extra warmth for the house.
Shiloh Acres
Lovin' The Homestead
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Haha-- "used to"? I still close off half my house in the winter usually. Most of last winter I spent in the bedroom and only heated that room. That was a snowbound cabin in the moutains. Long about February when I was SURE I had plenty of firewood to finish out the winter, half that cabin became downright toasty. 
Seriously though, old quilts hung from frames on the ceiling do wonders to seal off windows and open doorways. Though sometimes for windows I needed to prevent moisture too.
I love the pics though. It really has potential from the outside. I'd be anxious to see the inside too. Nice find.
Seriously though, old quilts hung from frames on the ceiling do wonders to seal off windows and open doorways. Though sometimes for windows I needed to prevent moisture too.
I love the pics though. It really has potential from the outside. I'd be anxious to see the inside too. Nice find.
- Thread starter
- #36
pioneergirl
Wannabe Pioneer
Thanx everyone for the ideas! I talked to one person last night who had been in it when the man that used to live there would call her for help. Here is what she said:
No plumbing...no running water/toilet, possibly a sink for washing your face. Kitchen sink was all she ever saw.
Well outside never went dry. He would bring it in by the bucket to do dishes and wash. His sewage would be in a sealed bucket that he would dump somewhere(not sure where) then he would wash out the bucket and start over.
Floors are possibly rotted through.
Furnace heat, window A/C.
Foundation is 'iffy" but needs checked by a pro to be sure.
So, I guess if you want to really get "back to basics" this is the place to be. I don't mind the well, nor having to build an outhouse, but I wonder how much money I'll need to put into the floor/ceiling/insulation/windows.
This morning I'm going to try to contact the owner (daughter of the man that died) and see what she says.
No plumbing...no running water/toilet, possibly a sink for washing your face. Kitchen sink was all she ever saw.
Well outside never went dry. He would bring it in by the bucket to do dishes and wash. His sewage would be in a sealed bucket that he would dump somewhere(not sure where) then he would wash out the bucket and start over.
Floors are possibly rotted through.
Furnace heat, window A/C.
Foundation is 'iffy" but needs checked by a pro to be sure.
So, I guess if you want to really get "back to basics" this is the place to be. I don't mind the well, nor having to build an outhouse, but I wonder how much money I'll need to put into the floor/ceiling/insulation/windows.
This morning I'm going to try to contact the owner (daughter of the man that died) and see what she says.
Dace
Revolution in Progress
Well....it's a project for sure!
May be worth it for the right price. Keep us posted, I am very curious!
May be worth it for the right price. Keep us posted, I am very curious!
No sewer or septic? don't get stuck with a white elephant
You may want to verify the ability to actually move into a place like that as the occupancy permit may be rescinded by the county, many things are not scrutinized until after a change of ownership. Water, heat, and septic are usually the requirement before being allowed to live in a house. When I bought this place nothing was checked but then again I did not take out a conventional mortgage and only a signature loan using the land as collateral.
When I was looking for older houses I came across many without septic and said right in the listing that it could not be occupied without one being installed first - $10,000 or more depending on soil conditions and local codes. I also stayed away from any property that had a shared well or a septic drain field that crossed property boundaries. Many subdivided older farms did just that and had a stipulation in the deed that the "share" would be dissolved on ownership transfer.
You may want to verify the ability to actually move into a place like that as the occupancy permit may be rescinded by the county, many things are not scrutinized until after a change of ownership. Water, heat, and septic are usually the requirement before being allowed to live in a house. When I bought this place nothing was checked but then again I did not take out a conventional mortgage and only a signature loan using the land as collateral.
When I was looking for older houses I came across many without septic and said right in the listing that it could not be occupied without one being installed first - $10,000 or more depending on soil conditions and local codes. I also stayed away from any property that had a shared well or a septic drain field that crossed property boundaries. Many subdivided older farms did just that and had a stipulation in the deed that the "share" would be dissolved on ownership transfer.
SKR8PN
Late For Supper
XPC hit the nail on the head! Check very carefully the codes as to not only occupancy, but that a septic would be approved at all. Some counties have changed and updated the rules for installing a new septic system. That's why I try to take VERY good care of mine.
