[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Byron100', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', '
')
I think I'd be bothered living in the apartment while a strange couple lived in relative luxury in the house, Byron. Just doesn't seem right after the 25 years of off-and-on work and money I've put into this place.

You're right, bulldozing the house is a silly, angry idea. Perhaps I could bulldoze the garage/apt. though. I don't really need it, and costs would come down somewhat.

Then I'd just hang on in the house until I broke MY hip, preferably within reach of my pistol.

I have strongly considered the auction possibility. The complication there is my mother and what to do with her. She's got her heels dug in now and I don't blame her for that.

If she lives another 10 years I'll be 63 and maybe too old to make a big, physically demanding change myself . . .

Realistically, I guess I'll rent it out once my ex has moved out and things have settled down. Obviously the key is finding the right person or couple.

A VA State Police woman who stopped by here once (when I wasn't living here) asked if she could rent it, but my parents said no. Not the answer I'd have given!

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Revi', 'I') worked at an orchard in Falls Church and there was an organic farm next door, but that was in 1979. I'm sure it's solid suburbia now. It was encroaching then.

There's a great movie, The Real Dirt on Farmer John you should rent. Maybe some kind of a collaborative could happen.

I would say that there is an answer that doesn't involve renting to difficult tenants and that allows somebody to make use of some of your land.

Maybe there are some young people who would love to try farming that could live there.

I know you have a pond, and some arable land.

It's a thought.

[BigTex]

I would take my time and keep an eye out for a good tenant.

Ask them to pay you quarterly rather than monthly and give them a better price.

Anyone who can pay for three months of rent at a time tends to be less of a flake and it will be less hassle for you as well.

Put in your agreement that you will pay THEM some amount if you evict them (minus damage, of course)--like $500 or something like that. If it gets to the point that you need to evict them, it will probably easily be worth $500 to see them go, and they will probably want the money enough to leave without much fuss.

Just something to think about.

Does your mom have any buddies who might like to live there?

Old ladies are pretty good tenants.

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'H')einy as you may know I have been involved in [co-habitative, co-llaborative co-opted co-nditioned co-housing etc.] for 15 years. I co-built and co-developed Marsh Commons in Arcata. I know about that stuff. 13 private housing units on postage-sized lot with common land and commercial/common building. Many of the single family homes have rental units on the first floor. Cohousing was an experiment for me and I must say it works well. But I am moving on. (for many reasons, but especially access to 2.5 beautiful rural acres and a new home )

My experiences:

The tenants in my own unit have been an absolute dream--each one of them (there have 4-5 over the years) and have each become friends. Reasons (?):

--Arcata is a college community will lots of 'green' 'sharing' type people

--I undercharge all my tenants. They feel indebted to me, go out of their way to make things work, and I do not take advantage of that. They are my friends.

--I do not ask for personality-types or political beliefs. I know wonderful rednecks and jerky greens. I do not preach to any of my tenants my beliefs. I nurture friendships.

My advice:
Network is the only way to find tenants. Send out the message discreetly that you have a great bargain for good people. Do not advertise. You can not turn the wrong people away, it is against the law.

It would be great to get 'greens' who believe what you do, who would treat the experience as an internship, and share in the 'good work' etc. The could be trusted because they share the same vision, share the work. But if you advertise for them, you will be hurt. They are so many posers out their, even ones who talk the talk will not be willing to walk it. And will take advantage, in spite of their own good intentions. It is human nature to self-deceive. Scary. It would be better to find someone that you can sincerely help with a good rent. Your kindness will open that person's heart and mind and will become more like you. Problem solved

Having said that, I admit that I do not understand the rest of America any more. Maybe what I have undertaken here is impossible anywhere else and can not be extrapolated to your situation. But this is my opinion.

(Couldn't you disassemble the big house and use the materials somewhere else. Do a work trade. Folks will to do the disassembly for a home. I hate bulldozing a structure. Sounds wasteful. )

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'I') would take my time and keep an eye out for a good tenant.

Ask them to pay you quarterly rather than monthly and give them a better price.

Anyone who can pay for three months of rent at a time tends to be less of a flake and it will be less hassle for you as well.

Put in your agreement that you will pay THEM some amount if you evict them (minus damage, of course)--like $500 or something like that. If it gets to the point that you need to evict them, it will probably easily be worth $500 to see them go, and they will probably want the money enough to leave without much fuss.

Just something to think about.

Does your mom have any buddies who might like to live there?

Old ladies are pretty good tenants.

[Pretorian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'A') possibility is that my older brother and some part of his family might move here. He has two large strong sons each around 20 years old. It depends on the economy.

[Specop_007]

First off, sorry for hear about the break up. I can relate more then I care to think about.

Anyways, theres some really good adivce in thsi thread and a handful of bad IMO.

I wouldnt rent unless you need the extra income. Renters, as has been said earlier, can be a real pain in the ass.

A small community sounds like a nice idea but would take, I believe, quite a bit of capital outlay to get it set up and then of course there is again renter selection.

Selling the land or bulldozing the house would be my last of the last options. You have land, and they aint makin any more of it. All the gold, bullets and paper money in the world doesnt create and sustain life. But land, a simple plot of dirt, does. Do not ever overlook that.

As for the house, keep it and mothball it. If nothing else its a source of equity you can tap into with a reverse mortgage or refi should you end up in a no win situation where you damn welll need money. I would be very reluctant to run a dozer through an untapped asset.

Now if you think a bit longer term things change a bit. Without sounding rude, you have to consider your own well being. Making your way in the world alone is difficult enough, compound that with age or illness...... In light of that a small community seems like a very worthwhile endeavor as when you become older you will have people there to help you out.....

My opinions.

[Heineken]

Thanks for the wise words, Specop.

Yes, the more I think about it the more I agree about not renting. It's not worth the headaches and risks for $250 or $300 a month, as you note.

Also the apartment gives me a place to get away from my mother. I still haven't decided whether to stay in the house with her or move back over there, but it's nice to have that option.

The way things are headed, my brother may lose his teaching job. If that happens, he could move into the apartment.

Ultimately I want to sell the two VA properties and relocate, but I'm not free to do that just yet.

True, health is always a wild card. I resigned myself to that reality long ago.

One day at a time . . .

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'T')hanks for the wise words, Specop.

[Byron100]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'T')hanks for the wise words, Specop.

Yes, the more I think about it the more I agree about not renting. It's not worth the headaches and risks for $250 or $300 a month, as you note.

Also the apartment gives me a place to get away from my mother. I still haven't decided whether to stay in the house with her or move back over there, but it's nice to have that option.

The way things are headed, my brother may lose his teaching job. If that happens, he could move into the apartment.

Ultimately I want to sell the two VA properties and relocate, but I'm not free to do that just yet.

True, health is always a wild card. I resigned myself to that reality long ago.

One day at a time . . .

[Heineken]

Seems like the best opportunities have slid by, Byron. At least for me they have.

About four years ago I sat my parents down in the living room and told them we urgently needed to sell the property at the hugely inflated price it was then at, move to a smarter property (more and better land, less house), and invest the money difference in infrastructure like solar, a greenhouse, etc. I told them a depression was coming.

But neither of them wanted to make any change. I don't think they would have wanted to even had they been younger. We had an argument and I lost.

Now my mother's running around panicking and asking, "What should I do??" And my dad's out of the game entirely.

Old people, if they can, will tie you down like a steel cable.

So here I am, stuck in this depreciating white elephant with the crazy old mother.

Sigh.