Log cabins evoke an era gone by. They’re strongly associated with people like Abraham Lincoln, who lived in a log cabin as a child. In fact, the Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home is now a historical site overseen by the US Park Service. But log cabins are more than just a part of America’s past.
If you’re a homeowner looking for a unique place to live, then you might find that it makes sense for a log cabin to be part of your future. Log cabins are an ideal way to reconnect with your country roots in states like North Carolina. And if you don’t have any country roots, it can be an ideal way to make some. Keep reading to find out what you should know about investing in log cabins.
Find the right realtor
Before you do anything else, you need to find a real estate agent with experience selling log cabin homes. This is not a case where you can find someone who maybe sells a log cabin once every few years. Log cabins present both unique challenges and opportunities, and you don’t want to deal with a realtor who isn’t an expert on these kinds of houses.
How can you know if someone has log cabin experience? Well, you can start by looking at the listings on their website. For instance, an agency like Ashe County Real Estate has a special section for NC log cabins on their website. It’s a significant part of their business rather than something they merely dabble in.
You should also ask about the local log cabin market in your area. It’s more robust in some parts of North Carolina than others.
Get an inspection
If you’ve ever bought a house or even thought about it, you should know just how important it is to get a comprehensive home inspection. Of course, “comprehensive” doesn’t mean an inspector just drives by the house and decides it looks fine. A home inspection typically costs a few hundred dollars, but is the potential to save you thousands of dollars in repair costs down the line.
For instance, a normal home inspection in a typical brick home can look for any signs of a bug infestation. But that’s especially critical in a log cabin because of the whole “wooden logs” factor. You’ll want to ensure an inspector looks for bug entry and exit holes, among other signs. Drainage, gutters, and overhangs are also issues you can’t ignore during a log cabin home inspection.
Also beware of log cabins that aren’t raised. A log cabin which touches the ground is more likely to have both rotting logs and bugs. If some logs are touching the ground, it might not be the end of the world, but an inspector should be able to find out if they’re pressure-treated or not. Pressure treated logs are sturdier and longer-lasting.
Take care of any extras
So you’ve found the perfect log cabin, and a thorough inspection shows that there are no major issues. Before you move in, though, you’ll need to resolve a couple of other things.
For example, you might think that if you’re going to have a log cabin, you might as well also buy a Jeep to park outside the cabin. Jeeps are great vehicles, but if you buy one, you’ll need to research protection plans. Mopar protection plans for Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM vehicles could be just the thing for that.
Don’t forget about paying property taxes, too. If the new log cabin is worth a lot more than your old home, you’ll need to look up just what kind of tax bill you can expect. North Carolina property taxes are pretty cheap in comparison to other states, but it’s still best to have an idea of what you’re getting into before that tax bill arrives.
Comments(5)