UPDATE: the mountain farmlet edition

I have received word from the realtor that the owner and son are proceeding with estimates and repairs to the 174-5 year old house.  They have called in the plumber, and termite inspector, and are waiting for the estimate from the electrician to proceed.

When I last reported to you about the Mountain Farmlet, you will recall that we were asking for them to repair, or discount the price by 15K for repairs on the following:

  • foundation
  • electrical
  • plumbing
  • and roof 

Things seem to be moving in a very positive direction!  This makes me very hopeful, that we will be able to close the deal and take ownership of this antique home.

I know you think we have lost our minds, but this is a once in a lifetime event.  Yes, it is an old house, but after the repairs we feel that she still has a few good years left in her.  The house will never be perfect, it wasn’t when it was first built!  But, it is precisely those imperfections quirks that make it such a charming old estate.

We really are looking forward to living there on the mountain.

~*~*~*~

Again, thank you to everyone for your goodwill and prayers for us.  They encourage us.

~*~

The New Farmlet from the back

When, and realistically if, she becomes ours, then she will become

The Mountain Farmlet

What else?  😉

~*~

36 thoughts on “UPDATE: the mountain farmlet edition

  1. Promenade Claire says:

    Wishing you well! I know what you mean about old buildings and their imperfections, that’s what makes them special and to bring a new lease of life to them is equally special. Our house was built around 1830 ish and when we moved here need a LOT of TLC..
    So my fingers are crossed, which obviously makes typing hard! I can see why you fell in love with the mountain farmlet, and I hope you will be showing us around soon

    • Lynda says:

      Claire, we have been a throw away society here in the states. I am really looking forward to saving the Mountain Farmlet’s home from the bulldozer. I have always been in awe of how really old homes are still being happily lived in and kept up in Europe. Here, it is as if everyone is allergic to old things. I also recently heard, that the homes being built now will only last for about 30 or 40 years! Isn’t that a crime? I say, “It is!”

  2. Deb Weyrich-Cody says:

    Oh, just shoot me! Been looking at your photos again…
    Inadequate roof pitch(es) & eavestroughing > improper drainage > foundation decay, under structure rot & insect infestation):

    • Deb Weyrich-Cody says:

      But, again, IF all the preventatives/corrections are put in place, any further trouble is averted. Just be sure to keep your eyes open to “the whole picture” (’cause it’d surely be a shame to invest in only half a fix, yes?)
      And (your ace in the hole here?) I’m guessing that Momma has come down firmly on your side.

      • Lynda says:

        Actually, I think it was both of them. They really had no idea what was going on until the home inspector came and took all the pictures! The plumbing was the first thing the son took to task because his mom is still living in the house until the beginning of June. (That was our choice to give her time to pack and sort for her estate sale.) 😉

    • Lynda says:

      Deb, this is the south. We have termites. Lots of them. Everyone has to deal with them because they come part and parcel with the humidity here. The foundation is being rebuilt, the bug damaged parts removed. The house is to be tented to kill any live insects and there will be annual inspections. The roof pitch on the tin roof is quite common here. The problem with the roof was over the new addition. Apparently, when we had the tornado storms two years back, the wind picked up the tin and pulled a section of it back. The owners, patched it themselves and then put bricks on it to hold it all down. 😉 The hired roofer is going to make the necessary repairs. What is “eavestroughing” ??? 😀

  3. Playamart - Zeebra Designs says:

    i don’t think you’ve lost your mind/minds at all! old homes have souls, as do their gardens and outbuildings! it’s great to put sweat equity into something and look back at the end of each day and see that you’ve made progress!

    good luck!

  4. victoriaaphotography says:

    Sounds very positive indeed Lynda.

    I think it’s a crime when beautiful old houses and buildings are pulled down to make way for more modern structures. I love the history and quaint idiosyncrasies of old houses. They have so many stories to tell.

    I used to work for an old school that was built in 1858 and I loved walking along the corridors and up the old bluestone stairs where the tread had worn down, imagining the school children walking up those stairs in the late 1800s. Fortunately, the oldest buildings are registered with the Heritage and National Trust and can’t be changed or pulled down. The Buildings also have to be kept in good repair and woodwork painted every 3 years.

  5. Littlesundog says:

    I love “The Mountain Farmlet”. It looks very beautiful in the photo, and I love that it has a little pond for the geese and plenty of acres for all that you want to experience! I’ll keep sending positive vibes… it’s such a thrill, right?

    • Lynda says:

      It certainly is a thrill, Lori! We drove through the area today and down into a little town called Red Bay. It is right on the border of Mississippi and about 20 miles from the Mountain Farmlet.

      The property is very long and bounded by the road on one side and the creek on the other. Just for fun we clocked the distance and were surprised to find that it is a half mile long! LOL!

  6. Pam Nunn says:

    Ah, Lynda, I’m taking a break from packing to read your blog! Please be patient with your 80-something seller, if she’s lived there her whole life, she has A LOT of packing to do. We’ve only lived here for 26 years, and it’s incredible how many boxes I’ve packed (and packed, and packed…). So very happy for your two and your new home! It sounds like the seller is willing to work with you to get all the problems fixed. Yay! 🙂

    • Lynda says:

      Oh, Pam, I’m sorry I gave you the idea we were impatient with the seller! It was our idea to let her take as much time as she needed to get her things sorted and have plenty of time for her estate sale. Because we are paying cash we could have closed in a week, but we aren’t in a big hurry. We have lots to do getting this place ready to rent, and then we also have painting and patching to do there (and you know all about that!) So we may not be in until the end of summer or later. And yes, it does seem that the seller’s son is motivated to get things fixed, and for that, we are grateful! 😀

    • Lynda says:

      LOVE IT, LINDA! Were you channeling us yesterday? This is very like what it was like where we were up in the mountains where the new Farmlet is! (Lovin’ that cracked windshield too. LOL!) Actually, we were listening to Bill Monroe and Doc Watson. Love that old time rhythm on the banjo and mandolin! 😉

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