Buying A Farm! (UPDATE: Deal Fell Through)

Leigh Family Farm · March 07, 2019, 02:21:31 PM

We have been searching for a property for the last few years. Finally one came on the market that met 95% of our needs, so we threw out an offer. Surprisingly the sellers didn't laugh at us when we underbid by $100k! After some heavy negotiations, as of last night, we went under contract for a 10.17 acre farm that is half open half woods. The house is 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1820s stone farmhouse with a large 5 bay garage.

We are super excited. There is some work that needs to be done on the house. The roof is over 20 years old and on its last legs. The septic is too small, needs replacement. The heating furnace is good but old/inefficient (i.e. costly). The glass sliders and windows should be replaced but that might wait since they function for now. We will convert the two small bedrooms (10x10s) into a large master bedroom suite.

The garage is actually an old bank barn foundation that the previous owners converted. Unfortunately the roof was shallow pitched an recent caved in. I will have to address that before insurance will grant me a permanent policy. I will be asking for some advice on how to tackle that project.

I will post pictures shortly.

8) 8) 8) 8) Gonna be a farmer/homesteader/sawyer/crazy guy!!!

Wudman · March 07, 2019, 03:53:39 PM

Congrats!! Nothing better than having a little dirt to cultivate and a place to sit the mill.

Wudman

lxskllr · March 07, 2019, 05:00:20 PM

Dude, that sounds awesome! I love old stone houses. Seems like there's always something to fix, but the character makes it worth it imo. Congratulations!

AZ_builder · March 07, 2019, 05:05:37 PM

It feels really good to be a land owner, feels even better when it's paid off! Congratulations on your new place.

thecfarm · March 07, 2019, 05:09:18 PM

Lucky you. Yes pictures!

Ricker · March 07, 2019, 07:06:56 PM

Nice. The stone house revival show on the dyi channel is one if my favorites, look forward to seeing pic of your place.

Southside · March 07, 2019, 08:01:32 PM

I am really sorry to hear this. A farm and a sawmill - two of the worst addictions a man can face, and at the same time no less.... :D Seriously - congratulations, let the ~~work~~ eh fun begin!!

Peter Drouin · March 07, 2019, 08:41:50 PM

Good luck. 8)

samandothers · March 08, 2019, 11:52:09 AM

Congratulations! Exciting time! Looking forward to your pictures.

Leigh Family Farm · March 08, 2019, 01:18:23 PM

Quote from: Southside logger on March 07, 2019, 08:01:32 PM
I am really sorry to hear this. A farm and a sawmill - two of the worst addictions a man can face, and at the same time no less.... :D Seriously - congratulations, let the ~~work~~ eh fun begin!!

I know. and I like guns...

Pictures will be up on Tuesday-ish. Thats when I am doing a full walk through with the inspectors (home & well).

Leigh Family Farm · March 12, 2019, 10:41:43 PM

As promised here are some pictures of the property.

Kitchen

Two pastures, fenced in. Thats the neighbor's house in the distance.

Inside one of the garages

This is what most of the woods look like. How can I clear this out?

One of the bedrooms. And main staircase below. Its about 4 feet wide!

Video tour of property coming soon!

Southside · March 12, 2019, 10:46:14 PM

Well it looks like the kitchen is already painted to match a Wood-Mizer, so at least there won't be any color coordination conflict there!! :D As far as the woods go - that is prime material for a forestry mulcher, even a skid steer mounted unit would do wonders in there in short order and create you some additional pasture area.

I like the sun porch!!

AZ_builder · March 12, 2019, 11:03:34 PM

Awesome looking place!

samandothers · March 13, 2019, 12:27:01 AM

Very nice, I too like the sun porch. The vines look similar to some we have in Va. Radiator heat, plumbed to an outside boiler? ;D

thecfarm · March 13, 2019, 05:51:50 AM

Two fireplaces? One on each end of the house?

Leigh Family Farm · March 13, 2019, 06:20:00 AM

Yea there is a fireplace on either end of the house. Supposedly both work but I need to confirm that first.

Leigh Family Farm · March 13, 2019, 06:23:38 AM

Walking tour of the farm - YouTube

A short video tour of the property. Any suggestions on the garage roof? I will post more pictures later.

btulloh · March 13, 2019, 08:53:46 AM

Nice place. Someone's done a lot of work on that house. Looks good.

What's the heating plant like? An OWB might be a good thing if you're so inclined.

X2 on the forestry mulcher. That's the perfect tool to clean up some of the woods.

Thanks for the tour.

Leigh Family Farm · March 13, 2019, 09:11:43 AM

@btulloh - the heating system is an oil furnace that heats water filled radiators throughout the main farmhouse with one thermostat. The kitchen is on a single electric wall radiator with its own thermostat. I will look into an OWB in the future. For now, I am ok will a furnace just not happy with the limited zones and electric in the kitchen. When I have the furnace inspected and a work estimate given, I will ask about adding the kitchen to the system.

thank you for the suggestions of the forestry mulcher. I will probably hire that out to someone or see if I can rent one for a week or so. They are too expensive to buy just for a few acres of clearing.

btulloh · March 13, 2019, 09:19:59 AM

I'd probably hire out the forestry mulcher. Running one of those in tight quarters takes some practice. I hired a guy with skid steer to do a few acres for me and it was the best money I ever spent.

WV Sawmiller · March 13, 2019, 09:24:11 AM

Thanks for the tour. Congrats on the farm. I can't believe it when I see flat land and no rocks everywhere but I guess there are actually places like that. :D

If I understood correctly the walls on the garage are reasonably sound and the uprights looked like they are intact and usable. If it was me I'd repair/rebuild it especially since it looks like you will have access to plenty of lumber for framing and such. Good luck.

Southside · March 13, 2019, 11:40:55 AM

Just curious - what's with the cooling towers next door?

Ruffgear · March 13, 2019, 12:51:32 PM

I would tear the old garage down and start over. Anything you lose in materials you will save in labor. And you will have a building built to your needs

SwampDonkey · March 13, 2019, 05:12:55 PM

Congrats on your new piece of heaven. Looks nice and flat and easy to work on. ;D

I would remove the old garage, 4 hr job or less, tops. Hauled off and smoothed up for a new one.

lxskllr · March 13, 2019, 05:39:47 PM

Great place! I'd do the woods cleanup with a chainsaw, cause that's what I've been doing, cleaning woods with a chainsaw. Get the vines first, then you can go in with a machine. You've got forever, and you'll eventually want a skid steer, cause who doesn't want a skid steer? Since you'll have already taken the vines down, you can backdrag the stickers and little stuff to get rid of it.