Posted on 05/06/2008 8:15:58 AM PDT by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast
Our church was involved in helping to build a couple of these in my neighborhood 2 years ago. So far, they have appeared to be well maintained. They also fit in well with the rest of the mainly 1000-1500 sq ft 1-2 car garage homes here.
Some years ago, a relative of mine bought three houses in the span of two years, that had been occupied by the same charity-case family. Their poverty was due to having 11 children and a father inclined to gamble. All three times, this relative paid peanuts for the pesthole, to a sadder-but-wiser landlord who had seen his investment trashed and his generosity abused.
And each time, it took two dumpsters to remove all the belongings left behind. The family of 13 had received nearly everything from local charities (much of the clothing still unopened in bags lovingly arranged by donors). Easy come, easy go.
I personally toured one of those homes BEFORE the family was moved into it (it was for sale and the relative considered buying it then). It was in little old lady condition, neat and prim and the yard manicured. After the church paid to get the charity-case family in, it took them only a few months to gut it and the landlord’s faith in humanity.
When my relative purchased it, the place was one step ahead of code office condemnation. Some of the children were practically feral, judging by the damage.
Now, that’s only one family and thus one example, though they did it to three houses I know of. But if you’re going to help people, it takes more than heart. It takes brains.
Specifically, the 2x6 walls and the superinsulation.
It's important to be sure that the ventilation is adequate so you don't get condensation. Also the recirc fan if the house is super-tight.
My folks built a solar house in S. GA (that requires mostly a LARGE roof mass and big overhangs!) and they incorporated a Finnish wood stove disguised as a fireplace. They almost never run the heat! (they do, however, run the A/C in coastal GA - but not as much as folks in a 'normal' house!)
LOL! I was thinking about that (actually, I had never seen the program, but had heard about how it worked). We've come a long way from the time that a new refrigerator was all it took to make some poor schlub's day.
OH yeah, I remember that! He correctly argued that he had an over-improved parcel that suffered depreciation because of functional obsolecsence and the lack of a buyers market for special Japanese style mansion.
I’m sure he did not go to the assessment meetings alone. He probably had a very good attourney and appraiser accompany him to the hearing. Home owners don’t typically argue these cases themselves. If they try, the City/Town will prevail.
I agree with his arguement but unfortunately it’s something only the rich would get away with or afford to do.
There are so many cases of individuals making stupid decisions on improving land. Good appraisers are rarely employed at the outset to determine highest and best use. The bank usually sends the appraiser out last and he/she is always left wondering about the decision making process.
I would hope that “Extreme Makeover” or someone would revisit these houses one, two, and five years later. I wonder how many of these people return to their past ways.
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