Alchemist Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Barring any unforeseen circumstances (such as that the house totally fails the home inspection) - we have just signed a contract to purchase a small farm (just under 15 acres), with a barn. Nowhere NEAR the size of Smalahundur's new place, but probably as much as I want to deal with as long as my day job exists. Yes, it's the same one that we fell in love with in early November that I mentioned on an earlier thread. (Mark actually sleuthed it out on Zillow). Part of it is a ~ 200+ year old farmhouse, with two new additions. It does have a three-stall barn, as well as three improved springs, water and electric in the barn, several hydrants in pastures, a walk-in storage loft above the garage... We did have to pay more than we wanted, but I'm sure the sellers feel as if they settled for less than they thought the place was worth. That's real estate. I will almost certainly have to phase in fencing over several years (relying on the existing five-strand plus electronet in the meanwhile), because we've just spent down our savings. Closing date is April 16. Now we just need to sell our existing house.... it's slated to go on the market Feb. 17. Lots to do between now and then! Color me euphoric... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 I don't have a cutesy way of expressing my excitement for you! But I am so excited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxi Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Wow...congratulations..how exciting....and here's hoping that there are no insurmountable hitches before you get the keys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 OMG! How exciting! I hope all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Congrats! Fingers crossed that your house sells quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Congratulations! I'm jealous, but very happy for you. Fingers and paws crossed here, too, that everything goes according to plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Boots Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 How exciting! Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufftie Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 wonderful news. may it be everything you dreamed of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etlai Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 we have just signed a contract to purchase a small farm (just under 15 acres), with a barn. Nowhere NEAR the size of Smalahundur's new place I'm not sure there are but maybe 10 souls in the world able to compete with Smalahundur. Big congrats! You mention that you don't want more land while you still work a day job.. are there tracts nearby up for purchase when the time comes? Regardless, congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne Joy Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Wonderful! Your life will never be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Congrats, and I agree you life will never be the same. I am jealous that your soon to be new house is all done and there is usable electric in the barn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smalahundur Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Ah, Mark, don't be... we've invested 20 years' worth of work into our current house in this last year! And I totally LOVE your place. Your views are to die for. And you'll have an aspect of your pride of ownership that we won't be able to claim. (But you and Rene are younger than David and I - we don't have the courage to take on this sort of labor of love). Next time (new house) I'll try to keep up with things better. Of course there will be a lot more to keep up with... I am jealous that your soon to be new house is all done and there is usable electric in the barn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 There is a smaller lot adjacent to this property that doesn't seem to have any access (driveway, etc.) to the "outside world". Not sure what the deal is. It's partly in pasture and partly wooded, and I wonder what's keeping it from reverting solely to woods, as I don't see any signs of animals. But I think I need to make sure I can keep up with what I'm already committed to before I look for anything additional. This property will allow me a modest flock for working my dogs and selling lambs (hopefully to a market willing to pay a premium for locally-raised lambs). The surrounding area is largely agricultural (my favorite organic farm, the one from which I've been buying my vegetables from a CSA for years, is literally just around the corner). I'm guessing if I did want additional pasture for grazing, it'd be easier to locate once I was living in an agricultural area than it is while I'm living in suburbia. The limiting factor may end up being shelter for animals in bad weather. You mention that you don't want more land while you still work a day job.. are there tracts nearby up for purchase when the time comes? Regardless, congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald McCaig Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 There's more than one way to be born again. Congratulations. Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresaserrano Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thanks, all! Oh, and Donald - Priscilla has links to photos if you're curious. I can't post them here because they're not my photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Congratulations - how very exciting!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thanks, all! Oh, and Donald - Priscilla has links to photos if you're curious. I can't post them here because they're not my photos I bet you would be allowed to post the link to Zillow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hoping to take my own photos when we go there for the inspection. Of course the Zillow photos look better, because they were taken in late spring, but there's something about using someone else's photos... besides, the realtor's photos show almost NOTHING of the important parts - the pastures, the barn, and so forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted February 6, 2015 Report Share Posted February 6, 2015 Congratulations! I agree with Donald--so excited for you! J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted February 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2015 Thanks, Julie! Doubt I'll manage enough sheep for a trial - but it'd be fun to host a clinic sometime (maybe a judging clinic???). And friends with dogs are always welcome... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon's girl Posted February 6, 2015 Report Share Posted February 6, 2015 OMGoodness!! I don't know how I missed seeing this thread. Congratulations!! I'm so excited for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted February 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Gideon's Girl - where's the "like" button? Definition of insanity: buy a new (used) car (I totaled my last one at a particularly inopportune time - first time for everything!) + buy a house during the same week. Which just happens to be the first week of the semester. Which just happens to coincide with the peak of "graduate student admissions insanity" period. Oh, and did I mention major political issues in my department? or health issues with my aging parents? This too shall pass.... Thank goodness for shots of bourbon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon's girl Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Hmm, maybe I need to try the bourbon... I'm helping care for my aunt with dementia. That will make you crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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