Im thinking of buying this old cabin. what do you guys think? What is the best siding for high temps?
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/l71e69a45-m4xd-w640_h480_q80_zpsvlxljk4p.jpg)
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/098_zpsiw6uvjbd.jpg)
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/095%20Small_zpskti6w0tz.jpg)
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/094%20Small%20Small_zpsdykdnuyd.jpg)
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/101_zpsuo7bosbo.jpg)
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/l71e69a45-m1xd-w640_h480_q80_zps5icnwfa0.jpg)
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/l71e69a45-m5xd-w640_h480_q80_zpsihomcc95.jpg)
One of the few times - me as a closet writer - is struggling for words...... :o
If only it were on piers.................
Siding's fine!!! Just needs a coat of stain!!!! :)
I know it looks like a scene from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre but its only 10k and has 5 acres. Its 2hrs from L.A. (where I live) not far from Palm Springs. Theres actually a seasonal creek that runs by the western side of the cabin.
Quote from: DaveOrr on February 24, 2016, 09:15:04 PM
Siding's fine!!! Just needs a coat of stain!!!! :)
It needs siding on one side. My buddy told me to switch it out to vinyl. What do you guys think I should do?
Unless you are retired, and/or independently wealthy ... I think you will find the four hour round trip devastating to project time and effort. Been there, done that ... never again. Nothing over 20 minutes away for me. Now if it were just a campsite, and you planned to visit occasionally with your rec rig ... that would be another story. But a cabin, in an insecure location ... hmnnnn.
Quote from: JRR on February 24, 2016, 10:44:42 PM
Unless you are retired, and/or independently wealthy ... I think you will find the four hour round trip devastating to project time and effort. Been there, done that ... never again. Nothing over 20 minutes away for me. Now if it were just a campsite, and you planned to visit occasionally with your rec rig ... that would be another story. But a cabin, in an insecure location ... hmnnnn.
If I do purchase the cabin it will be for camping etc. I was thinking I could just camp out for the weekend while I do repairs. I have friends that would help. In the pictures the cabin looks to be in the middle of nowhere but there are homes nearby. I was thinking of putting in a metal screen door and shutters that close for added protection while I am away. These are the shutters I was thinking about
(https://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa246/jesse977/14c872208e20b13069787dfdb236e37f_zps3a33545b.jpg)
IMHO, if $10k is what a 5 acre parcel of land will cost you in that area anyway, then this is simply a "bonus". If the look and footprint is something you like and can work with, and if it is on a slab (which is does seem to be) that is flat, then you can probably make it work with a bit of elbow grease.
If however the average price in the area for 5 acres is $5k, especially if the look and feel and footprint of this cabin is not what you like, then the extra $5k you will spend would probably be better placed on a new build.
I have been in the same predicament in the past. My decision was always based on the land, since a cabin can be rebuilt if it falls down, but a beautiful cabin on a terrible plot of land is all but useless. If the land makes you excited, and the cabin seems worthwhile, then go for it. If you have any doubts, and are making a decision based on fear of losing a deal (but your gut is telling you not to), then don't do it and wait a bit more.
Not sure if I am the sound of reason, it took me almost 25 years to finally buy the lot I wanted. Now I'm old and might have to resort to a camper cause I'm not so sure these bones can still build a cabin. :)
Trying to repair that shack would cost more than building from scratch.
How much will it cost to remove all that garbage?
You sure it is a seasonal stream and not a dry wash? Looks like serious desert to me.
It doesn't look that bad to me... :)
Playing Devil's Advocate:
It is all about perspective. If you are looking for that log cabin million dollar look, then yeah, tear down and start over.
If you are looking for a weekend camping trip with a slightly better than average tent, if the bones are still good then slap some metal on the roof and throw some paint at it and you're all set to go. My friend's cabin was a tear down in my eyes 20 years ago.... yet he still goes up every summer and has a blast doing so... it is still standing, they patch it when it leaks, board up windows if they break, put down new carpet when raccoons break in and crap everywhere... but it makes him happy, who am I to judge.
You do realize there are people all over the planet that live full time in much worse looking places that this. Most of us live in houses that an entire village can live in. Perspective... that's not a place to sink $10k into and expect a return, but for a cheap weekend retreat for a few friends to drink some beers, meh, why the hell not.
One thing to consider, are there "grandfathered laws" in the area?
Around here (where I live not my land), you have to build a certain minimum size. However, if the existing building is smaller then you are allowed to fix it up as long as the footprint does not change. If the OP wants a small sized cabin, a tear down might lose him the rights to building small and be forced to build a monster of a cabin.
Quote from: jesse977 on February 24, 2016, 09:17:37 PM
I know it looks like a scene from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre but its only 10k and has 5 acres. Its 2hrs from L.A. (where I live) not far from Palm Springs. Theres actually a seasonal creek that runs by the western side of the cabin.
Well I have to give my self a pat on the back... I sort of figured Palm Something or that stretch east and up on US 395. Not bad for a native Idahoan. So anyway how far from your full time residence? (You mention 2 hrs for LA) When we were living down in the valley and working on the ranch up here. It was a two hour drive - granted I did it literately all my life. Some of the property has been in the family forever. (1880's). The drive got so old.... That said the drive can become a deal beaker. I also know because of a ton of friends in LA area, they brag on the drive..... WOW Dude I got a new house I'm workin' on in Capistrano. Ya and you like live up in Apple Valley right..... Ya but it only like two hours..... Ya right on!!
The one deal breaker I see most in a lot of these builds is drive-ability. One young couple was on here for about a two years. Theirs was four hours and a state away. Doomed from the start..... hauling food - water - kids - tools - materials. One day they tearfully threw in the towel and told us they were done - the drive was killing them and their lives..... Affordability gas and grub on the go. Then the drive back and the fall into bed about when the alarm buzzes to get up for the 9 to 5. My case the railroad and called on a train. Which could happen most any time day and mostly night is seemed... So take a good look at that.
Second issue Tweekers will seek, hunt and destroy. All seriousness - your shutters and door covers need to be a lot more substantial. Out there it is not if your place is going to get hit it is when......and how often. Just sayin' does not look like a gated community.
Third how use-able is this property going to be in the summer time out there in Palm Somethings. Is it going to be a three season place? Two seasons / half a year? I do notice a little snow on the surroundings.
However the price is California attractive if you need a get away. Heck at 10K I might bunch and burn the cabin - okay cant do that.... Dismantle the love lodge and sell the lumber at a swap meet and buy a travel trailer and weekend it once in a while. Couple slabs to park on...... tote a Genny - hey and its only a two hour drive..... Not as crowded nor expensive as Big Bear. I love that aspect. The cabin to me is not important at all. You will not be saving all that much renovating such. At 10K I take it there is no power and no septic? Another question and might be a deal breaker. What is the taxes - bare ground - with the pad or pads. Ground with the a small cabin in that county...... Riverside County? I would sure check that out. If there is a huge difference. The cabin is coming down and I am weekending it in a nice but used travel trailer.
I would sell the lumber, build a fence and build an underground bunker. Would be a lot cooler (temp) living underground.
The drive? I'd kill for two hours! ;D To play devils advocate and all.
Seriously, I started with a 4 5hr drive that I got down to 4 1/4hrs and made it for over 5 years...now it's a short 3hrs and we're happy with that BUT I also drive a LOT for work so it isn't as if I'm not already doing a lot of driving and then there is the fact that when I say two hours it means 120 miles :D No gridlock for me.
But the drive is doable if you are motivated and serious and is manageable financially if you are smart (no eating out on the road unless you really must and only then as a reward for a hard days work and a rare reward at that). You MUST budget the time and money to drive to and fro as part of the 'cabin budget' too. We did this so the extra money was always part of the plan and never a surprise or drain on the plan since it was an integral part of it just like tools, wood, windows etc. It's just part of the cabin plan, PERIOD.
Now, in fairness, I'm also in management and can flex my time whenever I want for the most part. So if I work 40 hours before Friday then it's not a problem for me to take off at noon or a little later (I'd be over 40 by then obviously) because I've done my weeks worth of work. I also always planned to be home before my regular bed time on Sunday too, if not earlier. So that means you really only have Saturday to get a lot of work done and maybe a few hours on Sunday. BUT IT IS doable. If, however, you are serious.
As for the cabin in question I agree with the poster that mentioned cost of the land without vs with and look and feel on the land itself. Is it really cost effective? A lot cheaper? Can it be repaired? Are you ready to budget the time and money to travel?
Could be a lot of fun (though I couldn't imagine living anywhere near LA being fun! lol) and give you a nice get-away if you are willing and able to make it work.
I'd re-use the slab, rebuild the place with conventional framing, and re-use that siding over all new material
I wouldn't invest much into the building . . . It looks like it could be easily set ablaze if no one is around.
/.
After giving it some thought I'm going to wait a bit. The drive is not that bad , just under 2 hours from my home (with good traffic). Ill save up some cash and buy another cabin in way better shape. The area I'm looking at is Johnson Valley/Landers very close to Pioneertown. There are tons of small cabins around these parts. For those not familiar with the area here is a mini documentary Anthony Bourdain did on the area, check it out its pretty interesting
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqxbxs_anthony-bourdain-no-reservations-s07e13-us-desert_shortfilms
There's some nice 4 wheeling in Johnson Valley