Barn with living quarters

[Tororider]

While you're planning...you may as well consider what you'll say if your kids leave an outside door open...
After all, "What's wrong with you...do you live in a barn???" ain't gonna work.

Heehee

 

[Tororider]

Long term goal would be to live in the top of the barn for several years cheaper than we are now. With the benefit of living on land and being able to do things like have a big garden, chickens, pond, hunt in the backyard, etc. then if we decided down the road we could build the 2400 sq ft ranch I would really want and have the living space above as an apartment for the kids, guest space, or an in law suite.

 

[RoyJackson]

Long term goal would be to live in the top of the barn for several years cheaper than we are now. With the benefit of living on land and being able to do things like have a big garden, chickens, pond, hunt in the backyard, etc. then if we decided down the road we could build the 2400 sq ft ranch I would really want and have the living space above as an apartment for the kids, guest space, or an in law suite.

I think it's a great idea, myself...as long as your wife is OK with it.
You want excellent ventilation both below and upstairs. I park the Deere in the garage below the house and my wife is always bitchin about the diesel smell. Upstairs, where the living quarters are, will require good ventilation for summer heat.
I'd even consider a polebarn for ease of erection and cost...but I reckon they can be pretty hot, come summer. While you're considering this, consider a solar panel arrangment to reduce your electric bills.

 

[tallyho8]

Obtaining homeowners insurance on such a building would be a major problem in our area. If you could get a company to insure it, a 3200 sq. ft. home of that type would be very expensive to insure.

 

[mjarrels]

Don't know your age but multiple story doesn't work very well later in life.

mark

 

[Tororider]

Mark, I am 33 and the wife is 34. God willing stairs won't be a problem for a long time, hopefully by which we have build the ranch I was talking about. I had thought of that though, thanks.

Tally, I would have to check into insurance, although I don't know why it would be any different than a 1600 sq ft apartment to insure the living space.

 

[hitts427]

I don't know about where you live but where I'm at selling a house isn't easy if your trying to get a decent price right now.Good luck

 

[tallyho8]

Tally, I would have to check into insurance, although I don't know why it would be any different than a 1600 sq ft apartment to insure the living space.

It may be different there, but here you have to insure the whole 3200 sq ft at ??$ per sq ft appraisal the same as if it were a connected garage. The barn space is appraised at the same $ per sq ft rate as the living area.

 

[Tororider]

It may be different there, but here you have to insure the whole 3200 sq ft at ??$ per sq ft appraisal the same as if it were a connected garage. The barn space is appraised at the same $ per sq ft rate as the living area.

I guess that wouldn't be the end of the world since that is the amount I am already insuring now. I am going to email a builder friend of mine and see if they can ballpark a price for me on construction so I can go from there.

 

[Carl_NH]

Tororider,

I would suggest the following;

1. Select an area your family want to live in/around
2. Find a plot of land with a stream, spring or water source that flows 365 days a year (water is key but the right lot close to water is OK too)
3. Check the zoning (animals, outbuildings etc) and covenants etc
4. Purchase said plot of land 5 ac 10 ac 30 acres - more the better

5. Do a site plan - meaning house, barn and animals plus septic, electrical and piping runs to gardens, barn etc
6. Install the driveway, septic and well, and electricty feed and lines to the outbuildings general location.
7. Start small - build the garage for the house - say 3 car 28x42 with an in law above and live in that while building the barn and house.

By the time you get to step 6 you will have invested maybe $20-30K plus the purchase price of the land.

To build a livable 28x42 garage is probably $50K with minimal interior acoutrements - basic necessities.

At this point with a struture that will eventually get attached to the house electric and septic you can get a permit for occupancy and proceed to build the barn and ranch house.

It's a lot easier if you plan forward - meaning a house/garage first then barn, then outbuildings - so do the garage first, then the barn if you want, then the house but at least you have all the "planning" done.

Last house prices in MI area arent great - but land prices are, so get that land now and build a plan for the future.

Carl