Thread: A Chance to "do," not just "talk"

While, strictly speaking, not relevant to this forum, I thought I'd share with you guys my latest project.

I just bought a house. With land. For less than $2000.

As you might guess, you can't expect much. I was surprised to find the roof present, all walls standing, and only one pane of glass broken. Water heater and appliances gone, but the bath fixtures are present and the plumbing appears intact. Bath floor is sverly rotted, and the electrical service has been gutted (PoCo cut power at the pole). I assume termites are present. It never had any sort of HVAC - common around here.

As I figure it, I can have the place 'habitable' and reasonably secure before winter, for perhaps another $6K

Even if the electrical service had been present, I would have replaced it. The meter was on the north wall, with a cotton-wrapped cable (no overcurrent protection) going around the corner to the west wall, where it fed a fairly recent breaker panel. No main breaker there.

The new service is going to be interesting .... I'll use an 'all in one' panel, something that I don't think this town has ever seen. Square D# SD1020M100S, for those who don't know what I mean. For that matter, I doubt they've ever seen strut or 2" masts (with additional bracing, no less!)

2BR, 1 bath, 1000 sq ft, and a side yard just big enough for a shipping container and my car.

It will be a step up from my accustomed 400 sq. ft, 30-amp service, 2-circuit accomodations.

At least I won't have to worry 'is it new, or just a repair?' Not only is this job a complete gut .... most of the gutting has alredy been done.

One might say that this was one sale that did not need the services of an HI; everything is bad!

As for the neighborhood .... while not a garden spot, it's a lot better than most places I've lived. Here the kids actually play outside!

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Originally Posted by John Steinke

While, strictly speaking, not relevant to this forum, I thought I'd share with you guys my latest project.

I just bought a house. With land. For less than $2000.

As you might guess, you can't expect much. I was surprised to find the roof present, all walls standing, and only one pane of glass broken. Water heater and appliances gone, but the bath fixtures are present and the plumbing appears intact. Bath floor is sverly rotted, and the electrical service has been gutted (PoCo cut power at the pole). I assume termites are present. It never had any sort of HVAC - common around here.

As I figure it, I can have the place 'habitable' and reasonably secure before winter, for perhaps another $6K

Even if the electrical service had been present, I would have replaced it. The meter was on the north wall, with a cotton-wrapped cable (no overcurrent protection) going around the corner to the west wall, where it fed a fairly recent breaker panel. No main breaker there.

The new service is going to be interesting .... I'll use an 'all in one' panel, something that I don't think this town has ever seen. Square D# SD1020M100S, for those who don't know what I mean. For that matter, I doubt they've ever seen strut or 2" masts (with additional bracing, no less!)

2BR, 1 bath, 1000 sq ft, and a side yard just big enough for a shipping container and my car.

It will be a step up from my accustomed 400 sq. ft, 30-amp service, 2-circuit accommodations.

At least I won't have to worry 'is it new, or just a repair?' Not only is this job a complete gut .... most of the gutting has already been done.

One might say that this was one sale that did not need the services of an HI; everything is bad!

As for the neighborhood .... while not a garden spot, it's a lot better than most places I've lived. Here the kids actually play outside!

That's great. I hope all works out for you. That is one thing I have respected about you. You do not mind speaking your mind.

I thought I was going to get a home and land for a ridiculous low amount but the folks were to in love with the property. They still wanted 50,000 for it for a home twice the size that needed a tear down and a new home on it. Where it is at the sizable piece of land would have been about 35,000 if that. This land in the middle of no ware should be 20,000 or less but some fool will buy it for twice that holding prices up.

I thought I would be doing them a favor by offering them 20 where it would have cost a bit to level and hall off the home and ready the land for another home.

While I know this was a bit out of your budget, John, but someone just bought a 12,500 square mansion in Ocala, which was last sold for $4.6 million, on (as I recall) 20 acres, all for the measly price of a little less than $500,000.

In using a "all in one" will the PoCo accept it? A Co Op in Arkansas (who shall remain nameless) will not even accept a Ufer* nor had they even heard of one, all that they would allow was a ground rod.This is in a area that all one needs a septic permit when building a house,otherwise set your forms & start building.......

BTW congrats on your new home.


*They did accept a 200A all in one* (SQ D HOMO line).

As I wait for my check to clear ...

The idea of buying a house, cash on the barrel, no mortgage, etc .... well, it's really confused the heck out of everyone. It's amazing just how much of the paperwork and personnel aren't really needed, after all!

That I've persisted though the Hellish local summer seems to have opened a lot of doors for me. That I'm actually BUYING while the general population movement is away from this town is another thing in my favor. I might even be able to get a construction loan.

The PoCo, at this point, seems cooperative enough; indeed, I think it's been awhile since they had someone walk through their doors who knew what PGC's were (parallel groove connectors). Their main concern, naturally, is for the installation to be safe and sturdy; they're (rightfully) wanting to examine the site before agreeing to hook me up. Looks like there will be no trouble using an "All-in-one," though the local supply house was a bit confused.

My biggest challenge just might be getting one of those shipping containers delivered. We're a bit off the edge of the map here.

Right now, though, the first order of business is to verify the exact lot lines, and get title insurance lined up. Paperwork first.

Paperwork - shipping container - secure house - alarm house - job box - start work. That's the sequence. With winter just around the corner, it's not likely that I'll be able to move in before Easter.