Older farm home for a first house (foundations, room, price)

[topher5150]

The wife and I would like to buy a house one of these days, she wants something city, and I want something more country, I've been finding these older farm houses in semi-urban areas that come with 1/2 an acre or more, and a nice size garage or barn for less than $100k. These houses are a little older and need some repair, and some upgrading, which shouldn't be a problem I don't mind getting my hands dirty. Do you think this would be a good compromise, would this type of property be a good first house?

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by topher5150

The wife and I would like to buy a house one of these days, she wants something city, and I want something more country, I've been finding these older farm houses in semi-urban areas that come with 1/2 an acre or more, and a nice size garage or barn for less than $100k. These houses are a little older and need some repair, and some upgrading, which shouldn't be a problem I don't mind getting my hands dirty. Do you think this would be a good compromise, would this type of property be a good first house?

What makes them a farm house?

A house on 1/2 acre isn't a farm house here.

[Charles]

If you have kids, and most of the lots are huge (more than two acres), then you may want to reconsider. Kids want playmates and too low a density neighborhood might make it tough for them to goof off with a bunch of neighborhood kids.

[BECLAZONE]

I would snap them up at that price, but what do I know, I'm in the UK, you pay £200k for a half acre patch of dirt here, and no house!

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Charles

If you have kids, and most of the lots are huge (more than two acres), then you may want to reconsider. Kids want playmates and too low a density neighborhood might make it tough for them to goof off with a bunch of neighborhood kids.

OR

The kids might love having that much space to run around on, and their little friends will like it, too.

[findinghope]

so jealous! i wish i could even find a house that was older than 30 years old. i THOUGHT i wanted to live in a new home and now i want out! but cant find anything older

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

What makes them a farm house?

A house on 1/2 acre isn't a farm house here.

Seriously? How can you be from SWPA and not know the answer to that?!?!?!

Our area is littered with old farmhouses that previously had acreage prior to land being sold off for suburban housing developments.

I live in one! I know darn well my entire neighborhood used to be this house's farmland because it was my husband's grandparent's house.

[topher5150]

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

What makes them a farm house?

A house on 1/2 acre isn't a farm house here.

...well what's left from the farm

The one that I'm eyeing right now was built in the 1860s two story, big patio. It reminds me of all of the old farm houses that I grew up next to.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by topher5150

The one that I'm eyeing right now was built in the 1860s two story, big patio. It reminds me of all of the old farm houses that I grew up next to.

If it has a solid foundation, and most sandstone foundations are built like forts, I say go for it.

Just know that you can't expect to have a perfectly dry basement. Sandstone porous so don't plan on it being future finished living area.

[DubbleT]

I'd do it in a heartbeat. One of my best friends has owned/rented several old farmhouses in the Holland area. Full of character and plenty of room for get togethers.
Of course I think it might boil down to whether or not your wife thinks it's a good compromise. Would working together on all the little handyman projects be something she would enjoy doing? My friend always seemed to up to her elbows in little fixits.