Dream Home

[Yppej]

This is a half hour from my job and looks so nice.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/101-Fowler-Rd_Halifax_VT_M37698-02335

But I think it is designed for people who can work from home. Not only is the driveway gravel but so is the road. I'm also leery of private water and sewer. If something goes wrong it can be a big expense.

[Jane v2.0]

I love houses that look or feel like vacation digs--plus the wild landscaping makes me feel right at home. The inside is charming, as well. And the price makes me fairly dizzy.

[razz]

It does look cute but a heck of a lot of maintenance now and forever.

[Teacher Terry]

Super cute!!

[catherine]

Very cute house! I am somewhat familiar with that part of Southern VT, having vacationed in the area for 20 years. Wilmington seems to be close by and as you probably know, it's a very cute typical Vermont town. Bennington looks close by, as does 91--not sure if that's helpful for you getting to work. If you commute, it's true that it may be a challenge in the winter. But, it seems to be well-maintained.

[Tybee]

Very cute house! I am somewhat familiar with that part of Southern VT, having vacationed in the area for 20 years. Wilmington seems to be close by and as you probably know, it's a very cute typical Vermont town. Bennington looks close by, as does 91--not sure if that's helpful for you getting to work. If you commute, it's true that it may be a challenge in the winter. But, it seems to be well-maintained.

Both Wilmington and Bennington are such lovely towns. I have been terrified in winter going across 7 to get between them, but I am a chicken when it comes to winter driving. Is there a large well maintained road between this house and your work?

[Rogar]

I'd not be a fan of the three level living spaces, but the open maim floor is really nice. I'd predict high maintenance as well. In my brief travels through southern Vermont it seems like gravel roads and driveways are common outside of towns and main highways It doesn't appear to be a big issue.

[Yppej]

Both Wilmington and Bennington are such lovely towns. I have been terrified in winter going across 7 to get between them, but I am a chicken when it comes to winter driving. Is there a large well maintained road between this house and your work?

No. And I'm not real good at cleaning glass :(

But it does go to show there are nice homes that are still affordable despite the current housing craze, which is encouraging to me. I just wish houses in the bigger towns and cities had more style.

[pinkytoe]

I recently sprained my ankle and realized that we need to find a single level house before we get any older. Hobbling up and down the stairs for daily life has been a real eye-opener. Nevertheless, I also appreciate looking at eclectic houses.

[KayLR]

That fourth photo---yikes what a lot of work! I'm wondering about mosquitoes and what it would be like under snow.

[catherine]

No. And I'm not real good at cleaning glass :(

But it does go to show there are nice homes that are still affordable despite the current housing craze, which is encouraging to me. I just wish houses in the bigger towns and cities had more style.

Yes, that's true--good luck with your search! I didn't realize you live in north central MA. It's a nice area.

[ToomuchStuff]

This is a half hour from my job and looks so nice.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/101-Fowler-Rd_Halifax_VT_M37698-02335

But I think it is designed for people who can work from home. Not only is the driveway gravel but so is the road. I'm also leery of private water and sewer. If something goes wrong it can be a big expense.

What is wrong with gravel?
I understand the fear of septic, especially if you are unsure of how it has been maintained. However that doesn't mean just in the country. Late friends property is in the city, but downhill, so it on septic, not on sewer. They recently had to do a full replacement.
All that roofing looks like it would be an expense (lots of it and steep). As long as we are showing dream houses, this one is a few miles from my brothers farm, and I went through on a tour a few years ago, I might do somethings differently (he had a pole barn, so smaller garage), but this is is what I prefer:
https://www.monolithic.org/homes/featured-homes/downsizing-has-advantages

[Yppej]

I like the shape of that dome but not the way some of the things are set up inside.

I think plowing and snowblowing are more difficult with gravel. And a dirt road is not going to be cleared as quickly in the winter as a main road. And if it gets real muddy in the spring I could see getting stuck in the road more easily. And just having had to replace my windshield the idea of pebbles flying up and hitting it is a concern as well.

[Tybee]

I like this one better because of the porch and the 10 acres.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/171-Phillips-Hill-Rd-Jacksonville-VT-05342/235256475_zpid/

[Yppej]

I saw that one too Tybee but the exterior looks worn which makes me wonder how well other things that can't be easily seen have been maintained.

This one I like as well, but it's more money for fewer rooms and on a private road where plowing could be an issue. I think its cost is in part driven by the lake rights which I don't care about as well as the central A/C:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/30-Page-Ave_Ashburnham_MA_01430_M48096-98983

[Tybee]

That's really pretty, and looks easy to care for!

[frugal-one]

I like this one better because of the porch and the 10 acres.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/171-Phillips-Hill-Rd-Jacksonville-VT-05342/235256475_zpid/

That is what in my area is called "rustic".

[catherine]

I saw that one too Tybee but the exterior looks worn which makes me wonder how well other things that can't be easily seen have been maintained.

This one I like as well, but it's more money for fewer rooms and on a private road where plowing could be an issue. I think its cost is in part driven by the lake rights which I don't care about as well as the central A/C:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/30-Page-Ave_Ashburnham_MA_01430_M48096-98983

Nice house! Looks like it's in really good condition, and nice back yard.

[happystuff]

What is wrong with gravel?
I understand the fear of septic, especially if you are unsure of how it has been maintained. However that doesn't mean just in the country. Late friends property is in the city, but downhill, so it on septic, not on sewer. They recently had to do a full replacement.
All that roofing looks like it would be an expense (lots of it and steep). As long as we are showing dream houses, this one is a few miles from my brothers farm, and I went through on a tour a few years ago, I might do somethings differently (he had a pole barn, so smaller garage), but this is is what I prefer:
https://www.monolithic.org/homes/featured-homes/downsizing-has-advantages

I've seen this article before - love the house!

[razz]

I have said this before and will say it again.
Some friends came into some money and in their 50's built their dream home in the country with multi-split level, sunken living room, tall windows, circular long drive, etc. Within a decade, she had mobility issues, he had a heart attack and other issues and their dream home was nothing more than an expensive burden. They never moved but grumbled continually about the house, never ever admitting that they built the elaborate dream house for their younger years and didn't consider their needs in the future.

In our early years together, DH and I loved the 2-storey Colonial style https://www.earlynewenglandhomes.com/the-colonial/. When we actually built our last house on our farm, we smartly built a simple one-floor bungalow with an easily accessed basement and garage; simple roof, simple flooring - affordable to replace when needed.

[nswef]

Yes, Razz, thinking about age is important. We were lucky in that we bought a rancher in 1973 and have only added grab bars in the bathroom. We're still ok mobility wise and would have to do some changes if a wheelchair was involved. Washer and dryer are in the basement but we might be able to put one on the main floor if needed. We never desired a larger house so that is fortunate, too. We do have about 2 acres so mowing has been hired out for the 1 acre meadow, but my husband still uses the riding mower and we do all the yard work except for a 2 hour a week teen who weeds the stuff I don't like doing. If I were alone, I'd have a full time person to mow, trim and maybe even weed. My biggest worry is being unable to drive as we are at least 30 minutes from medical care, only 10 minutes from everything else we might need. But a car is a necessity.

[iris lilies]

Our Hermann cottage won’t accept wheelchairs in the hallway I think. Have not measured. But otherwise it is fairly old-age friendly. Front access has steps down BUT ALSO a gentle path to the front door which has 3 half steps up into the house. This half-step access has already been useful for an elderly dog who toddled around, did not need a fence.

two toilets, washer-dryer,two bedrooms on first floor. The upstairs has two bedrooms and a bathroom. All this is crammed into about 1500 sq ft. (Total of 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.)

But the yard maintenance is huge. If something permenantly happened to DH we would have to sell this property. I figure we have a good ten years there.

Related to this: we went to our condo’s summer party held outdoors two days ago. Everyone is in the 55-80 age range in that building.Half of them have moved from big Victorian houses in the immediate area, and others use the condo as a pied a terre, like me. A great mix of people in the arts and humanities. They like the old building and its beautiful grounds and the setting *IS* beautiful. Plus, the owner of the Magic Chef Mansion came to the party, she lives next door.

[iris lilies]

I saw that one too Tybee but the exterior looks worn which makes me wonder how well other things that can't be easily seen have been maintained.

This one I like as well, but it's more money for fewer rooms and on a private road where plowing could be an issue. I think its cost is in part driven by the lake rights which I don't care about as well as the central A/C:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/30-Page-Ave_Ashburnham_MA_01430_M48096-98983

I’m sure you’re right that part of that cost is easy lake access. Otherwise that’s a nice size house, not huge,.