"HK" wrote in message
. ..
Eisboch wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
news
Interesting times - interesting times.


Heh .... I just checked the old farmhouse that my mother lives in.
It's the old house at the end of our driveway.
According to Zillow, it's one of our best, most stable investments. It's
value has fluctuated, but overall has maintained an upward trend.

It was built in 1800! John Adams Sr. was President, having replaced
George Washington. Adams was succeeded a year after the house was built
by Thomas Jefferson.

Eisboch


Not to quibble, but the 2nd POTUS was John Adams, not John Adams, Senior.
His son, John Quincy Adams, who also served as POTUS, had a slightly
different name, so neither was a "senior" or a "junior" to each other.


I stand corrected. Actually, I meant only to establish him as the "first"
John Adams president, and not the "second", being John Quincy.



BTW, property values in all the areas covered by Zillow have not declined.


I don't know about changes in the historical data because I wouldn't know
what it was. Obviously, values in places that have not had unrealistic
increases in the past few years have remained somewhat stable.

I know one thing. We sold the house we had in Florida about 15 minutes
before the bottom dropped out on values in that area.
Talk about lucky timing. If it had not sold when it did, we would probably
still own it.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..
Eisboch wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
news
Interesting times - interesting times.

Heh .... I just checked the old farmhouse that my mother lives in.
It's the old house at the end of our driveway.
According to Zillow, it's one of our best, most stable investments. It's
value has fluctuated, but overall has maintained an upward trend.

It was built in 1800! John Adams Sr. was President, having replaced
George Washington. Adams was succeeded a year after the house was built
by Thomas Jefferson.

Eisboch

Not to quibble, but the 2nd POTUS was John Adams, not John Adams, Senior.
His son, John Quincy Adams, who also served as POTUS, had a slightly
different name, so neither was a "senior" or a "junior" to each other.


I stand corrected. Actually, I meant only to establish him as the "first"
John Adams president, and not the "second", being John Quincy.



BTW, property values in all the areas covered by Zillow have not declined.


I don't know about changes in the historical data because I wouldn't know
what it was. Obviously, values in places that have not had unrealistic
increases in the past few years have remained somewhat stable.

I know one thing. We sold the house we had in Florida about 15 minutes
before the bottom dropped out on values in that area.
Talk about lucky timing. If it had not sold when it did, we would probably
still own it.

Eisboch



I know the feeling. Apparently you lucked out with the sale of your
boats, too.


How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of that
old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.

"HK" wrote in message
. ..



How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of that
old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.




No marker. It's not on any historical records, other than local knowledge
and town records. A couple of times the town historical committee has made
noises about registering it, as have other town officials. I've ignored all
interest and inquiries.

Even so, a couple of years ago I had our land surveyed with potential
interest in putting up another barn. I jokingly mentioned to the surveyor
(who is a local native and well versed in town politics) that it would be
easier to move my mother out, demolish the old farmhouse and build a barn on
it's lot.

He told me I'd have a major fight with the town on my hands if I tried to
get the permits to do so. They would immediately declare it a historical
building and I'd have to go through all kinds of grief to get the permits.

The "barn" section of the house doesn't have a single nail in it's basic
construction. All wood beams with wooden pegs.
The entranceway room of the house was the original Duxbury Post Office.
When we bought it, the room still had a customer counter, behind which was a
floor to ceiling, pigeon hole shelving unit. Every town resident had a mail
slot.

A few years ago I met one of the decedents of the family that built the
house. It had stayed in his family until the "farm" was sold in 1996 and
the land was subdivided. There's a huge, silver maple tree behind the house
with a trunk that is about 4-5 feet in diameter. He told me that the tree
was planted by his great, great, grandfather when the house was completed in
1800.


Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..


How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of that
old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.




No marker. It's not on any historical records, other than local knowledge
and town records. A couple of times the town historical committee has made
noises about registering it, as have other town officials. I've ignored all
interest and inquiries.

Even so, a couple of years ago I had our land surveyed with potential
interest in putting up another barn. I jokingly mentioned to the surveyor
(who is a local native and well versed in town politics) that it would be
easier to move my mother out, demolish the old farmhouse and build a barn on
it's lot.

He told me I'd have a major fight with the town on my hands if I tried to
get the permits to do so. They would immediately declare it a historical
building and I'd have to go through all kinds of grief to get the permits.

The "barn" section of the house doesn't have a single nail in it's basic
construction. All wood beams with wooden pegs.
The entranceway room of the house was the original Duxbury Post Office.
When we bought it, the room still had a customer counter, behind which was a
floor to ceiling, pigeon hole shelving unit. Every town resident had a mail
slot.

A few years ago I met one of the decedents of the family that built the
house. It had stayed in his family until the "farm" was sold in 1996 and
the land was subdivided. There's a huge, silver maple tree behind the house
with a trunk that is about 4-5 feet in diameter. He told me that the tree
was planted by his great, great, grandfather when the house was completed in
1800.


Eisboch





What a great story..thanks.
That tree is almost as old as tom.

"HK" wrote in message
...


What a great story..thanks.
That tree is almost as old as tom.


Hmmmm..... come to think of it, the great, great grandfather bought the
sapling from a guy named Tom.

Eisboch

"HK" wrote in message
. ..


I know the feeling. Apparently you lucked out with the sale of your boats,
too.


Anything will sell if you price it attractively. It took well over a year
to sell the Navigator and I reduced the price a couple of times.


How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of that
old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.




I wouldn't call owning the old house a "treat". We bought and renovated
parts of the interior mainly for a place for my wheelchair bound mother to
live after my father passed away. She does ok and is basically independent,
but needs watching and occasional help with stuff.

The barn section is unique, but obviously old and musty.

I am not into "historical" buildings and will gladly sell it when the day
comes that my mother finally has to move to assisted living. Surprisingly
there are people into these old buildings and we have a waiting list of
interested potential buyers.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..


I know the feeling. Apparently you lucked out with the sale of your boats,
too.


Anything will sell if you price it attractively. It took well over a year
to sell the Navigator and I reduced the price a couple of times.


How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of that
old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.




I wouldn't call owning the old house a "treat". We bought and renovated
parts of the interior mainly for a place for my wheelchair bound mother to
live after my father passed away. She does ok and is basically independent,
but needs watching and occasional help with stuff.

The barn section is unique, but obviously old and musty.

I am not into "historical" buildings and will gladly sell it when the day
comes that my mother finally has to move to assisted living. Surprisingly
there are people into these old buildings and we have a waiting list of
interested potential buyers.

Eisboch




According to local lore, my old tobacco barn was built either during or
right after the Civil War. It has some of the original planks in it, but
I don't which ones they are! Lots of plants have been replaced over the
years. I think the descendants of the original raccoon family that moved
in there 150 years ago are among the current occupants.

"HK" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..


I know the feeling. Apparently you lucked out with the sale of your
boats, too.


Anything will sell if you price it attractively. It took well over a
year to sell the Navigator and I reduced the price a couple of times.


How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of that
old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.




I wouldn't call owning the old house a "treat". We bought and renovated
parts of the interior mainly for a place for my wheelchair bound mother
to live after my father passed away. She does ok and is basically
independent, but needs watching and occasional help with stuff.

The barn section is unique, but obviously old and musty.

I am not into "historical" buildings and will gladly sell it when the day
comes that my mother finally has to move to assisted living.
Surprisingly there are people into these old buildings and we have a
waiting list of interested potential buyers.

Eisboch


According to local lore, my old tobacco barn was built either during or
right after the Civil War. It has some of the original planks in it, but I
don't which ones they are! Lots of plants have been replaced over the
years. I think the descendants of the original raccoon family that moved
in there 150 years ago are among the current occupants.

My mothers house is a 1908 Georgian. Those who want old houses can have
them. Has 1908 tube and post wiring, 1908 plumbing mostly and a few leaks
and dryrot from the last 100 years.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...

"HK" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..


I know the feeling. Apparently you lucked out with the sale of your
boats, too.


Anything will sell if you price it attractively. It took well over a
year to sell the Navigator and I reduced the price a couple of times.


How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of
that old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.




I wouldn't call owning the old house a "treat". We bought and
renovated parts of the interior mainly for a place for my wheelchair
bound mother to live after my father passed away. She does ok and is
basically independent, but needs watching and occasional help with
stuff.

The barn section is unique, but obviously old and musty.

I am not into "historical" buildings and will gladly sell it when the
day comes that my mother finally has to move to assisted living.
Surprisingly there are people into these old buildings and we have a
waiting list of interested potential buyers.

Eisboch


According to local lore, my old tobacco barn was built either during or
right after the Civil War. It has some of the original planks in it, but
I don't which ones they are! Lots of plants have been replaced over the
years. I think the descendants of the original raccoon family that moved
in there 150 years ago are among the current occupants.

My mothers house is a 1908 Georgian. Those who want old houses can have
them. Has 1908 tube and post wiring, 1908 plumbing mostly and a few leaks
and dryrot from the last 100 years.

The general idea is to upgrade them a bit each year.
My house was built during WW2 when the city was overrun by military people.
Since 1985...
tore out the orig 60 amp service panel with fuses and installed a new 200
amp panel with breakers and had a new meter box and large mast/head for
outside
also replaced most of the old wiring with new code type.
tossed the old grate style oil furnace (which had been upgraded from coal in
1959) and installed electric heating on three levels
tore down the old coal bin in the basement and constructed a room that my
oldest son used as a bedroom while in highschool/community college
installed clothes washer/dryer setup in basement
started to transform attic into a 'playroom' for the boys. Removed old
collar beams and raised then to give 7' clearance for an 8' x 24 foot area.
Another four feet on each side limited by roof slope. Installed tongue &
groove 6" wide boards for floor, plus constructed a narrow stairway to the
attic from a small 2nd floor bedroom.
Replaced all the windows with new vinyl, installed insulation to all outside
walls, added a 12' x 18' addition, re-modelled kitchen & bathroom tore down
old garage & constructed shed...then added to that shed etc etc. I'm
tired just thinking about it all.... oh yeah,.we re-roofed the house too.

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...

"HK" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..


I know the feeling. Apparently you lucked out with the sale of your
boats, too.


Anything will sell if you price it attractively. It took well over a
year to sell the Navigator and I reduced the price a couple of times.


How about a photo of the historical marker that must be in front of
that old house? :) Must be quite a treat to have a house that old.




I wouldn't call owning the old house a "treat". We bought and
renovated parts of the interior mainly for a place for my wheelchair
bound mother to live after my father passed away. She does ok and is
basically independent, but needs watching and occasional help with
stuff.

The barn section is unique, but obviously old and musty.

I am not into "historical" buildings and will gladly sell it when the
day comes that my mother finally has to move to assisted living.
Surprisingly there are people into these old buildings and we have a
waiting list of interested potential buyers.

Eisboch


According to local lore, my old tobacco barn was built either during or
right after the Civil War. It has some of the original planks in it, but
I don't which ones they are! Lots of plants have been replaced over the
years. I think the descendants of the original raccoon family that moved
in there 150 years ago are among the current occupants.

My mothers house is a 1908 Georgian. Those who want old houses can have
them. Has 1908 tube and post wiring, 1908 plumbing mostly and a few
leaks and dryrot from the last 100 years.

The general idea is to upgrade them a bit each year.
My house was built during WW2 when the city was overrun by military
people.
Since 1985...
tore out the orig 60 amp service panel with fuses and installed a new 200
amp panel with breakers and had a new meter box and large mast/head for
outside
also replaced most of the old wiring with new code type.
tossed the old grate style oil furnace (which had been upgraded from coal
in 1959) and installed electric heating on three levels
tore down the old coal bin in the basement and constructed a room that my
oldest son used as a bedroom while in highschool/community college
installed clothes washer/dryer setup in basement
started to transform attic into a 'playroom' for the boys. Removed old
collar beams and raised then to give 7' clearance for an 8' x 24 foot
area.
Another four feet on each side limited by roof slope. Installed tongue &
groove 6" wide boards for floor, plus constructed a narrow stairway to the
attic from a small 2nd floor bedroom.
Replaced all the windows with new vinyl, installed insulation to all
outside walls, added a 12' x 18' addition, re-modelled kitchen & bathroom
tore down old garage & constructed shed...then added to that shed etc
etc. I'm tired just thinking about it all.... oh yeah,.we re-roofed the
house too.


There is a large difference between a WW2 small home and a 1908 Georgian. 2
stories, plus basement and attic with servants quarters, sun porches. About
3300; sq not including sun porches, basement and attic. Just getting to the
stuff to change is a major job. Plus you have to keep the same style stuff.
Wooden gutters, etc. This is in a neighborhood where homes start at $2mm+.
Locaton, location, location. Since my stepfather died in 1969 there have
been at least 2 new roofs. The problem is a flat deck off the second story
that wants to leak at times. So I brother and I have had to replace a
couple of bedroom ceilings. Since she is 93 years old, we now just maintain
the home. Next buyer is going to put $4-500k in a remodel. So not worth
putting a lot of money in now.