It's official! we now have a place in the country!

Today we closed on our place in the country. It was a foreclosure that was in the middle of a remodel/addition, so there is a lot of work to be done on it (finish siding, finishing up some of the plumbing, electrical, hvac, etc.) but for the most part it is stuff I can do myself with the help of some knowledgeable friends. It is a 4 bed, 3 bath house with around 2200 square feet.

The house sits on 4 acres which is mostly cleared. It is bordered on the west by a creek, on the north by fencing and has paved road frontage on the south. There is a pond (stocked with bass) and a slab already poured and posts already set for a 30x30 workshop.

The real kicker... we paid $40,000 for it.

So the adventure begins. I'm gonna need alot of advice. If you thought the show "Green Acres" was funny, stay tuned. Pictures forthcoming.

Knuckledragger

that is wonderful! it is quite a fiasco around my place. The green acres song is the typical song we sing while working on a project that isn't going as planned. (as if any of them do!)

keep us updated on the plans, work and projects!

I am so happy for you , your wife, and your children..this is so exciting..sure it is going to be a difficult haul getting things done..but look, you are just going into building weather..how great is that !!

you still have time to get a lot done while the sun shines..so you go for it..

the kids will be out there in wonderland..and you'll be fishing for bass for supper in no time flat..

talk about great blessings for you..

I just started a blog with a couple of pictures. It can be found at:
http://charishomestead.blogspot.com/
for anyone who is interested.

In the blog, I have included a diagram of the land.  For anyone who is willing, I would really appreciate suggestions on ways to incorporate permaculture design as we start laying things out.  You can leave your comments on the blog or on this post, whichever you prefer.  But all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

In His Grip,
Jim

Hey Jim, that is really incredible! Good for you guys. Wow.

I am just about finished with the fixin and the loading of our old motorhome and my two young boys and I are hitting the road driving from the Phoenix area North for round...what is this? Round 3 or 4?? Anyway this time as far north as Montana/Idaho to find a place to relocate our farm and I am just going to let Grace as you put it prevail.

We say our prayers every day, and we always mention the stream with trout and the pond with bass and crappie. So we are going to head out without a single property in mind and leave it up to Grace to put us in the right place at the right time.

When we find an area we find beautiful we will start to talk with the locals. We might visit the feed stores and other farm supply outlets and see if there is anyone that is selling their place, is getting up there in years and needs help with their place, Maybe someone wants help and is willing to sell a piece of land. Or maybe something like what you found? Maybe we will post a flyer on a bulletin board or run a local ad? Maybe we will find someone with some finances that wants a farm but doesn't know how to get started? I don't know but I am certain it will work out.

I have seen some amazing properties for sale in Tennessee. For really good prices also. I saw some amazing waterfalls and caves and ponds and just that whole area looks absolutely beautiful. I am much more of a Western US, High Desert or Rocky Mountain kinda person but you never know!

Have Fun!

Marty

good luck with that Marty..there are a lot of them really cheap around here..look on craigslist in the area you are seeking..

Hi Brenda, Thanks for the tip...that is a great idea! If anyone else has ideas like that please let me know...maybe I will start a new thread on that subject.

I found my place on the barter section of craigslist.  I guess the people had given up on selling it and were trying to trade it! I just happened to check out that section out of boredom mostly and there it was. craigs list is the way to go in my opinion!

Jim sorry we hijacked your post here.

just wanted to say we sold my in laws house on craigslist after using 2 real estate agencies that didn't bother to show the house once in 2 years..

i took it up on myself to sell it on craigslist and sold it pretty fast..the lady that bought it said she saw my listing several times but didn't look at it and then she noticed my determination to sell and went and looked at it on there..lots of photos and long descriptions...and the house sold itself once buyers were actually looking into it

I just want to thank everyone for the input.  Brenda, I especially appreciate your e-mails.  I would have answered sooner, but in the past few days I've worked as a firefighter, a police officer, and a new homestead owner.  I've been swamped.

I will post more later, but progress is being made and I greatly appreciate everyone's advice.

Thanks,
Jim

hey someone with two houses and two jobs should be spenging more time dilly dallying at computer forums don't you think?
Duh you have a family..enjoy them..so how did the fishing go last weekend?

The fishing went great!  I caught a 2 pound bass on the second cast with my Dad standing right beside me.  He says he will be visiting often.

Jim

sounds like you'll be enoying fish dinners from your pond for a long time.

that is very exciting..was your son there..did he get a thrill or what ?

are there fish in the creek too?

I just added to my blog at www.charishomestead.blogspot.com for any who are interested.  Also, since I am woefully negligent in the field of blog maintenance, my 11 year old daughter has started a blog about our new place at www.mygreenacresadventure.blogspot.com.  Hopefully, she will keep folks updated better than I have.

In His Grip,
Jim

really enjoyed your update on your blog..YOur daughter's blog is really great too..she has a good head on her shoulders...i can't post comments on the blogs for some reason..tell her I thought it was great.