Finding a Farm House

[podzie]

How do you fellas think would be a way to locate an old house to be moved onto a rural property?

We have a small place in Austin County, Texas and spend a few days there each week. Up until now, we've been staying in a Travel Trailer that I just parked up under the barn shed.

The kids are getting older now and kinda need their independance, and it's true the camper does get a little tight.

Anyway, it seems that when you're not looking, the old farm houses are everywhere, but when you are, you can't find one for sale.

Anybody know of any pubication of listings?

Thanks guys!

 

[schmism]

in my area many arnt listed with any agency...

your best bet is to spend hrs driveing the back roads and talking with people in the little hole in the wall "resterants" .

 

[EddieWalker]

I've seen houses for sale that the owner wants moved in the newspaper classifieds and the free classifieds papers. They come and go all the time, but most are not worth the cost of moving them.

If you are doing this for a cheap house, you might want to rethink this. The only real advantage to moving a house is sentimental reasons. Financialy, you can build new for less when you consider what it takes to move it, prep the land for it and then get it rebuilt.

Eddie

 

[HappyCPE]

Eddie is right - if you are doing this to save $ forget it. If you have a soft spot for antique houses, though, you might want to consider contacting house movers. They hear of buildings and could hook you up. I worked with a mover on Long Island who actually supplemented his income by moving houses to his yard in lieu of demolishing them; at any given time he had 5-10 buildings he would sell you for 10-25 grand a pop. Also contact some of the local historical societies. They actively seek out old properties and can help make owners connect with you. Of course a hard-core preservationist would be appalled at the prospect of moving a building but the pragmatic folks would be happy to help.

 

[3RRL]

Seems to me the best way is like you said...
Anyway, it seems that when you're not looking, the old farm houses are everywhere, but when you are, you can't find one for sale.

Just stop looking and they'll start popping up again. I see lots of them just driving around the countryside. But non of them that are specifically for moving the house off. There were several homes moved to lots on the way up to my property. Only one of them has been finished and it looks pretty good. All the others are being worked on and it seems it's taking forever to "restore" them.

I think Eddie is right. You could look at the pre-fabbed homes too. Rustic but with modern amenities.

 

[MikeD74T]

Place a house wanted ad in a local paper with your specifications. Sometimes people want to move & just need motivation. Contact the bigger developers in the area. They ofter buy large parcels & remove the existing buildings & build all new ones. I got a 50x100 barn for free that way. MikeD74T

 

[EddieWalker]

TexasBid has one that just showed up today. http://www.texasbid.com/auction/ItemDetail.aspx?itemid=6969

It says "(BISD100) Home to be moved or for salvage for Boerne ISD" and looks like an older, turn of the century home with allot of character. The current bid as of this morning, 7:30am, Firday the 13th, is $18,350 with 62 bids. There is 14 days to go on the auction.

The house is located at 308 Live Oak St., Boerne, TX, 78006

Eddie

 

[mikim]

Check out a place on 290 going into Giddings - they build little houses for weekend places .... no idea of $$ or anything -- just saw them driving by. I think they build then move to the site.

 

[JazzDad]

Kendall county to Austin county would be an expensive move, what with the routes they sometimes have to navigate; avoiding bridges (can't fit under, too much weight to go over), raising or removing power lines, police escorts, etc. You will want to find a house as close to your place as possible.

 

[podzie]

Now that you say that, I do remember seeing that business on the way to Austin from Brenham.

Original idea of the farm was to just build out a 20x40 living quarter in the barn. I just drove through Bellville not long ago and saw a local Realty Company had moved an old farm house into town to use it as an office on Main Street and Man, I tell you, it really is beautiful.

You guys are probably right, it just probably won't be a good financial thing to do. I just can't help but dream about sipping coffee on an old porch and watching my kids wrestle in the grass.

Thanks for all the input!