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Terraced Outbuildings: A solution for less than level landscape

By Cynthia Larsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

December 04, 2011 01:14 PM

Where I live in Sonoma County, the landscape is anything but level. If you are used to living in an area where everything is flat for as far as you can see, you might appreciate the scenery here. Personally, I've been to "flat" and I didn't care for it. I guess it just depends on what you are used to.

The problem with sloped land in rural areas, though, is how can you build outbuildings with significant enough space to be functional for their purpose? One answer is to terrace them.

It is quite evident this outbuilding has been around for a few years. This is one of my favorite barns in Sonoma County, located about a mile from my house in Cotati, CA. Every time I pass this barn I tell myself "what a great idea!". Now if I could only take a look inside ... I'll have to work on that one.

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Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Cynthia -- This terraced barn certainly is unique and it also solves the challenges with the sloping or uneven land. Let us know if you get to take a peek.

Dec 04, 2011 01:18 PM

Evelyn Kennedy

Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA

Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Cynthia:

Clever solution to a hilly problem. The building look like they should be at Fort Ross. That is a lovely picture.

Dec 04, 2011 01:23 PM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Joan - I'm like a kid in a candy store when I get to go inside old barns. I could stay in there all day. Oh yeah, I'll have my camera with me!

Evelyn - you are right! Something tells me you have been to Sonoma County before :)

Dec 04, 2011 01:28 PM

Elise & Glenn Groves, Mortgage Brokers First Priority Financial, Inc.

First Priority Financial Inc., NMLS# 3257, Elise NMLS #255824, Glenn NMLS# 1124642 - Santa Rosa, CA

Mortgage Broker,Banker, FHA, VA, Conv, Jumbo - Pur

That is an awesome barn - love the terraces on it. If you get a chance to go inside it, call me and I will go with you!

Dec 06, 2011 05:00 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Cynthia, I love how these buildings lean into the hill also. It looks like they were meant to last 100 years; this being the 105th year =]

Dec 06, 2011 08:44 AM

Elise - I've never seen anyone near this building, but I keep looking!

paul - yes, they've been around awhile, and they are certainly leaning.

Dec 06, 2011 09:05 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

LIving in TN, I am no stranger to old barns. But I've never seen this. I, like you, don't care for the plains. That's why we got our of IL. We love the rolling hills of Franklin TN and the wonderful old barns we see here.

Dec 07, 2011 08:24 AM

Tammie - barns are so fun ... I didn't know IL was flat and TN was rolling. I need to get out more.

Dec 07, 2011 10:26 AM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Hi Cynthia,

I just love this photo. It tells many stories. I think it's great that someone built these barns so differently than everyone else.

I love rolling hills. This places looks like a great setting for an inspirational writer!

Patricia

Dec 07, 2011 05:10 PM

John M. Scott

BRE # 01442690, Scott Keys Properties - San Francisco, CA

Broker / Owner San Francisco Bay Area

Cynthia, I was driving back on Hwy 4 from Martinez last week and saw a bunch of outbuildings and horses in a valley. There was one that was pretty large and open on the sides. It wasn't terraced though - it sloped with the hill. Pretty weird.

Dec 08, 2011 12:58 PM

Patricia - or a painter!

John - people get creative when they have to. No photo?

Dec 09, 2011 06:56 AM

Leslie Ebersole

Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL

I help brokers build businesses they love.

Oh goodness I adore that barn. It looks like the animals would have their own spaces but be able to visit back and forth.

Dec 10, 2011 03:57 PM

Leslie - I'd sure like to see how they are connected inside. One of these days ...

Dec 12, 2011 03:50 AM

Terraced Outbuildings: A solution for less than level landscape

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Cynthia Larsen

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