Pros/Cons of a rock house? Pics pg 3 dial up friendly

[adoptedbyachicken]

I would try and determine as much as possible what has been done with the human waste on the property in the past. Where did those buckets go to be dumped? If for no other reason than to know where to continue if it seems safe, but also where in relation to the current well, or any irrigation or livestock watering that you might plan for the future.

It will take more heat to warm that house up, but it will stay warm. I would consider the normal wind chill in the area very much in regards to your heating costs. Without wind chill it could be great.

Our house is on geo-thermal and the basement requires nothing in summer and very little heat in winter. It's just because the ground temperature is steady, and the basement is fully in on 3 sides, one short end open to the outside as that end the land goes down towards the meadow. From your pictures I can't tell if the house has a full in ground basement or if that could be on a crawl space. If it is that prevents all the effect of the steady ground temperature and would be a real downside to me.

I think you need to seriously consider a full disclosure inspection and think through this, with foundation issues and lack of plumbing I'm not sure I'd bite. Also my concern is for the safety of the electrical. How old is the wiring it has and what service is in it?

But it sure looks fantastic. I admit to the temptation just on looks alone!

ETA Look into a composting toilet too, there is no reason to not have an indoor toilet in any building if you have power.

 

[pioneergirl]

Again, not being inside yet, I have no idea about the electric. And again, not yet talking to the daughter of the previous owner, I don't know what the foundation or anything else is like. I'm going off of what a neighbor has said, and she was in the house probably 4 times. I'm told by my FIL and the neighbor that there is a basement that had a wood burning furnace in it. FIL used to give the owner a truckload of corn cobs every year that he would use to start a fire in the furnace. There is currently an LP tank outside, and the neighbor said its been converted to LP. The well is right outside the back door, and would definitely require a water test.

I'm giving the daughter a week to return my call, then I will call again. FIL said he was told she only wants $10,000 for it (this still needs to be confirmed)and just by looking at it I'd say it sits on an acre, give or take. I can have any livestock I choose to have there. The north side of the house is the right side if you look at the picture of the front view. There is a fence row that has the elderberries (both kinds, I found out....good kind and bad) and other vines and trees as a small windbreak. The large trees are on the south side. More trees in the back yard which would help with the wind (in the winter here it blows hard out of the NW).

All this being said, we (DH and myself) are going to try to negotiate a rent to own deal, with the option of backing out should things prove to me a fruitless effort. DH is knowledgeable of electric and has cleaned out more wells than he cares to count. I grew up with a father who was a master plumber, and we've got enough friends to help with labor and other things. No, this doesn't replace a professional but if its bad enough torequire one then we'll sack the whole deal.

 

[Farmfresh]

That looks like it is a cement block house, not stone.

We have a number of homes like this around us. They are STONE blocks. Cut and milled in a time when stone masonary was an art.

Our basement is made of milled stone blocks like these, but without the fancy facings. Our basement walls are 18 inches thick and nearly waterproof even after almost 90 years.

 

[Farmfresh]

I am ALL about this purchase.

Buy one with good bones and then redo the guts. It is FAR easier to start with nothing and then add things, like bathrooms and even septics (composting toilet anyone?) than it is to buy one that you have to tear out all of the mess first and then deal with the old problems. Ask me I lived it.

 

[pioneergirl]

Our whole thought, for the last year and a half, has been to find land with good soil and good water, then build a house (I was wanting cob). We would, during that process, have been living probably in a tent or other make-shift shelter until it was complete. We would be using an outhouse, or 'honey bucket' as well, blah blah blah. So, that all being said, this is like a fast forward of the process. The shelter is there, the well is there (even if I can't save it, I know I can drill again close by), I know the soil is excellent. So, given all of that, whatever needs to be done on the inside will be all "us". If this proves to be a false deal, then we're back to square one....building a house, doing our own water/plumbing. I'd said if we were to go cob, we'd have gravity fed water supply from a solar heated tank. Electric would be through solar batteries, lanterns, etc. Yeah, its all big thoughts and dreams right now, but with this place, it brings us a few steps closer. I would have no problem living with lanterns and the coleman cookstove while working on this place....or even after its done.

I am not a pesimist, I'm a realist, and I continually tell myself not to get too excited. This whole deal may fall through. DH understands this as well and is still looking for land in other places.

 

[FarmerChick]

key is never fall "too in love" with a place lol


edited to say Tony floored me with "lets sell the whole darn farm and move to the shore" and live like kings

I said, YES, but we must save like 50 acres for Nicole for inheritance lol
the rest I make millions and live great lol


will it happen, who knows, cause Tony sure loves this land haha
but I think he realizes that life is short and the opportunity to live wonderful is in his face
hmmmmm....decisions decisions


options thru life change like crazy ya know

Nicole starts Kinder in a few days here is a big change in our schedules and lives lol

 

[Dace]

PG I think the house has alot of potential. Keep us posted and I anxiously watching to hear what the daughter has to say!

 

[mamagoose]

Looks promising! I wish I could find something like that in OH.(Or convince my hubby to do it. He's still really attached to his t.v. and cable, and micowave. Training still in process ) Looks like quite a bit of work but I'd say as long as the foundation is good then go for it!! Good Luck!