Who do I ask for help?

[ZAR2USA]

I say make the decision now while everyone is still mobile, and buy a modular home with no stairs, $30'000 for 1'000 square feet, $60'000 for 2'000 sq ft.

Additional $20'000 to have a concrete footer with stem walls and rebar, and have it set and anchored on it. Price includes all that.

Another $5'000-$7'500 for electrical and plumbing/sewer connection if right next to the house.

It's hard to size down room wise and with belongings, but it takes a huge burden off your shoulders, and you literally feel lighter and can breath easier.

Every year I do shop/storage/garage cleanings and I get rid of some stuff and every few years I do a major in depth thorough cleanup and get rid of all the other stuff I kept during my annual cleanings.

I too have reached the point of downsizing twice over the years. It's a beautiful thing.

 

[ZAR2USA]

Search for modular home dealers in your area.

They will do all the paperwork for you.

Zoning, County, Health Dept, Utilities, Transportation, Grading, Contractors and Financing. It's a one stop shop.

Simplify your life at this age.

 

[sailorman]

Be sure to look into what any new structure might do to your property tax .

 

[SIMassey]

You also need to consider your safety. We have had some close calls with tornados in the area.

 

[Richard]

If you bought & placed a manufactured home, could you put it a bit away from your current home....KEEP the current home and rent it out?

The extra income might be nice.

 

[Steve IA]

Thanks for all the replies and support. Wife and I talked again and think I'll contact an architect and a local builder that I trust, explain the situation to each and see what services they offer knowing each has his own agenda. Adding a separate dwelling on this property has its appeal, but putting neighbors that close doesn't. Setting a modular seems like the quickest and easiest. May to window shopping soon. It's actually 2 parcels, 20 ac. timber and 4.7 the house sits on so it would be easy to split and sell. I understand that local zoning is quite liberal. Another bit I forgot to mention. Wife talks of moving to warmer climate. Maybe, I say, but I'm trustee and P.O.A. and closest support for my 98 yo mother who is in memory care unit locally and I can't leave area right now. That doesn't mean we can't look elsewhere now, though. (thinking aloud). I've been devoiding myself of stuff the last few years, but wife seems to bring stuff in to fill the holes created. AAARGH!
It will keep you posted as things develop (or fail to). Thanks again.
Steve

 

[chuck172]

Very similar problem here Steve. I have too many stairs. Getting older now and both my wife and I have bad knees. I don't really want the hassle of moving. Do you think an architect with ideas might help me? Are they expensive?

 

[dmccarty]

Remember there is a difference between a modular and mobile home. You can certainly get a modular home with wide doors and open spaces. The modules in our area are 14 feet wide which means that most designs have a bedroom or other smaller rooms with 13ish feet in one dimension. You can have a room that spans more than one module which is usually done for the living room. In NC, depending on road access, 16 foot wide modules are allowed which helps the room size a bit. The rooms can be to your design as long as it fits in the module or spans modules.

Look for a modular home builder in your area and got look at their models. There is a company an hour or so away from us that has at least 20 models on site.

We spent some serious time looking at modular homes but in the end went stick built for a variety of reasons. Take a look at modular homes since it will give you other options.

Later,
Dan

 

[Steve IA]

I called an architect this morning and ask if he was the one to evaluate the current foundation to determine if it was sound. He said he could ($150/hr) but I'd probably get just as good advice for free from a contractor specializing in foundation and slab repair. I have a guy coming Friday for a look-see and estimate. If this house is sound, or can be made that way reasonably, we're leaning on doing that and adding on to the back for craft room, master br and bath/utility room. I'll let you know when I know more.
Steve

 

[Capricious]

Well, I can only speak to what I would do in that situation (at 56 I am not THAT far away from it).

For the time being I would not do anything, other than making sure the existing house/foundation are stable.

We own rural land, and while I would not mind living there "some day" and the wife might tolerate that, if I departed the scene the first
thing she would do is move back to town. I know that you said that you both like the rural setting, but when driving becomes difficult (or
impossible) there may not be any choice but to go to a more urban setting.

We also have a desire to move somewhere warmer, and that possibility is another complicating factor.

If it were me, for the time being I would save my money, count my blessings, enjoy life as it is.

The 20 acres next to one of my parcels was someone's retirement place. Chickens, roosters, tractors & dogs. The couple bought the place in 2003, while I bought the adjacent parcel in 2004. I only talked to the guy once (for many years I rarely went there) but a little internet checking told me he was a retired fireman, and that he 'hung-out" a lot on a couple of the "homesteader" forums.

Last summer, after not going there for about 8 months, I noticed the chickens & roosters & dogs were gone, and the place was listed for sale. I don't know what happened, but apparently someone's "homestead dream" had come to an end.

I look at the ever increasing number of candles on my birthday cake, and I think about these things.

Anyway, I would do nothing until I knew just exactly what I was facing.