Hello to my fellow forum friends.
I am a brand new user of these forums (registered today). I have been doing a bit of research off and on for the past year about log cabins. I am very interested in building one. However, I have never owned a home. My wife and I did not get in early enough to buy a house before the prices went sky high... so we don't have a ton of equity in an existing property - we have no equity at all since we are currently renting. Definitely not a situation I feel a boatload of pride over... but it is my current situation.
My credit is pretty good for a non-home owner. I have some debt though. Currently about $20,000 in random debt including CCs, Taxes, Etc...
I am very green when it comes to purchasing a home as I have never done so. What I know, I have learned from friends and others who have purchased.
Here is my question. Is going the log cabin route wise and doable for my situation? I would like to incorporate my current debt into my mortgage. Yes, I expect to have a mortgage and don't mind having one for the time being. My first and foremost goal is to become a homeowner. I prefer that home be a log cabin... even better... a log cabin built by myself. (Looks like all the classes are currently filled... but I'll be watching for future openings.)
Is this a pipe dream or could it be a reality if I put my mind to it. (I like to think positive - but also want to be grounded in reality)
Thanks in advance for any info and insight you may offer this very green future home/cabin owner! It is appreciated!
Comments
First Time Home Buyer (soon to be) Should I go with a cabin?
I bought vacant property (5 acres) and lived in a travel trailer for 3 years while we built our house. Payments on the vacant land were less than our rent was and I paid $1,050 for an old 37 foot travel trailer. Neither one of us had ever bought property before.
My wife (we got married in the house we built together) took the class several years after I did, and neither one of us had any building experience. I followed the directions in a "shed building book" to build a storage shed. I read books on plumbing and electrical stuff and I did it all.
Do what you can to get out from paying rent. If you have kids it will tougher. Buy 2 travel trailers if you have to. But get out from paying rent!
Invest in yourself by taking the class. It's the best investment I can think of.
It's not a pipe dream!
We've lived in our house now for 17 years.
What do you want?
I believe the real answer is for you to decide. If you are willing to put a majority of your "free" time over the next few years into finding property, developing plans, getting permits, getting supplies, and building your own home. If you are, then this is for you. The rewards are a small mortgage (or none) and the satisfaction of building your home yourself. I believe a quote used here is; "Would you rather spend a few years working hard or 30 years paying off a mortgage?"
There are no secrets or special talents required to build a home for yourself. You just have to be willing to do the research and the work.
I believe that this has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. This is our fourth building and our first log house. We built our first when I was 37. Should have started years earlier.
The hardest part is not listening to people who tell you you can't do it. Take the class - do the research - do the work!!! I think you will find the experience one that will enhance all aspects of your life for years to come.
First Time Home Buyer (soon to be) Should I go with a cabin?
You are exactly what the building course is all about. Building a home as cheaply as possible yet building it to higher than code standards. Hang around for a while and if it looks like something you would be interested in doing, take the class. Not much to lose!