|
Q: Some people ask, "Why is the house so economically priced?" A: Several reasons. First, property is this area is quite cheap, compared even to areas as close as Southern Pines, Pinehurst, or Raleigh. It is VERY cheap when compared to New England or California. Second, the house is being sold AS IS. I'v been gone from the house for about 3 years, and for some of that time, rented it to unappreciative tenants. They gave it some rough use, and it now needs refreshing. Fortunately, all the wear and tear is cosmetic. Structurally, it is in great shape. Q: Other people ask, "Why is the house priced so high? A: When anyone enters the house for the first time, they gasp and say "Oh, this is beautiful!" The house is custom designed to minimize the barrier between nature outdoors and comfort indoors, and, of course, to be fully and delightfully accessible and easy to get around. (When I came back to it from the typical old New England farmhouse I had been living in for 3 years, I felt as if I'd been released from a straightjacket!) The passive solar design that brings sunshine in to warm and cheer in winter, is not common in this area. Neither is the edible landscaping that offers fresh figs, grapes (one of which shades the patio in summer), blueberries, deer berries, goumi, serviceberries, fejoa, Asian Pears, bay leaves, China tea, and herbs. The passive solar design, ample south-facing roof, edible landscape, and extensive garden beds provide significant advantages for energy savings, carbon reductions, and thrift. The upstairs efficiency apartment with a separate entrance offers a lot of extra flexibility in keeping personal care or household assistance, family, or a friend on premises. There just aren't other homes like this one. Despite these rare qualities, the price is fairly comparable to other homes in the area (which you can check on Zillow). You'll actually find it priced a bit lower than homes that are somewhat similar (but not really similar since they lack the wheelchair access, energy savings, and fresh food). That's because it does need the cosmetic sprucing up mentioned above. Q: What do you mean by "firm" (as in $230,000 firm)? A: I mean that $230,000 is the price I want to get. I don't like all that dickering back and forth business usually involved in property and auto transactions. So I've told you my price. The cosmetic work that needs to be done (mentioned above), and the inconvenience of having to do it, has already been figured in to that price. Q: Why aren't you doing the sprucing up? A: For the most part, it's the kind of work that involves personal choice, for example carpeting versus hard flooring, window treatments, and paint color. I wouldn't want to do it one way when the buyer is likely to want it a different way. Also, if I did the work, the price would increase significantly. The buyer may want to benefit from the lower price and live with the house as is while deciding which choices are best and spreading the work out over time. Q: Did you build the house? A: Yes. When I built the house, I used a manual wheelchair, and was extremely fortunate to be able to leave behind the strictures of housing designed for walking people. I enlisted my friend John Salmen to design a house for me that would be comfortable, usable, freeing, and delighful. He did. It's fantastic. Q: When was it built? A: 1993. Q: If it's so wonderful, why are you leaving? A: My family is in New England, and I want to be there now. (Well, I'm not exactly sure I want to be there, but I do want to be where the family is!) |