Yesterday I went to look at a house.I knew it needed a lot of work, so I knew that it likely wasn’t in my price range with the amount of work that needed to be done on it. What I didn’t realize was just how much work it needed. Here’s a link to my flickr set of pictures of the house. Go take a look and then come on back to hear what I’d do with it if it were mine.

This house was likely built between 1870 and 1890, judging from the various architectural details. Over time, people who owned the house "remuddled" and added various additions onto the house, some of them better than others. Luckily, most of the front half of the house retains the general character of the time period in which it was built, including the original woodwork and trim.

Unluckily, the entire back half of the house is a complete disaster and would probably have to be torn down entirely. If it was my house, I would most likely start by completely trimming the bushes and other plant life back, then bringing in pest control to rid the house of all the bugs and "wildlife" that have been inhabiting the house for years. The summer kitchen which is now attached to the house is completely overridden with termites. The only thing I could see fit to do with that is to tear it all down and just save the stone from the double sided fireplace in it. What a shame.

I’d also take the weird wall in the front of the house and turn that into a big window, possibly stained glass. I think that would not take away too much from the character of the house, and make it a lot prettier as far as curb appeal.

The entire house appears to need to be rewired as far as electrical. I saw some REALLY old school electrical outlets in the front of the house that in no way could handle the kind of electronics I have. So, there’s that expense. And I have no idea about the plumbing, since in the one bathroom I tried to turn on the water and there was none. The MLS said the water in the house was "other" as compared to "city" or "well", which makes me suspect the water comes from a sulphur well, since sulphur springs are very common in that area.

The roof appears to be fairly new, and tin (?!), but if you look closely, it appears to have just been layered over the top of at least 2 other roofing materials. Which is worrisome. And the foundation- well, there doesn’t appear to be a real foundation. As best I could tell, the house sits on rocks. My dad says the house most likely would have to be jacked up on stilts and a foundation laid underneath somehow. Ron from Shaktronics wonders the same thing I do, though- the house has been sitting there without falling down for 130ish years, surely it doesn’t need a foundation?!

And it has one bathroom that needs a lot of work. And no kitchen. So, yes, this house is unaffordable for me. It’s unlivable, which means I’d have to pay mortgages in 2 places, since the MLS says there is not allowed to be a trailer on the site.

So why does this house pull so much at my heart? I can’t tell you how much I want it. The amazing porch, the beautiful woodwork, the transoms, the woodwork, the amazing front door. It has all the aspects of a house I want someday, but it will cost more than I can swing. Kathy says it best over at Shak & Jill: "The house was an absolute and complete mess.  But I could almost hear
the history of laughter, running, crying, children, gardens, hunting,
cooking." Yes. I want that history. But alas, it cannot be mine. Unless, of course, someone wants to fund my endeavor, heh heh.

For more of what I would do with this house, check my Flickr comments on each picture.

Crossposted at both Shak in Style and Shakhammer.