Sandpoint is looking to be the place for us... or is it? (Coeur d'Alene: how much, house prices)

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

As I've pointed out to Misty before...with ATVs or dirt bikes...you only have to feed them when you ride them. And they don't "buck".

ATV's might not buck but they do rear up backwards and stand on their noses. Ask me how I know.
And when they pull manure spreaders (just came in from stall cleaning), they contribute to the beaning of frozen horse poop balls beaning one in the back of the head.

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by emcrone

HI Misty/Lisa, We are considering a move to idaho too. It is a major relocation. Is there a way of private messaging? I found a blog of yours from 2004. Would love to get some info on how you prepared especially on finding your housing location, how in the world you moved a farm? Seems like such a lofty goal. We did it once but only a 15 minutes away. Would love your tips.

That was my DH's blog. I didn't even know it was still out there.
We just found our land thru a realtor and we didn't move a farm, we came from the 'burbs of Phoenix to build a summer cabin and just never left.
We just moved with a freshly built outhouse ready to place over a hole, an unassembled wood-fired hot tub, lots of tools, 2 kids, 3 dogs and 4 horses.
And a lot of enthusiasm. We stayed in the Sandpoint Motel 6 for THREE months while we built and lives without a bathroom for 18 months.

[jadbad2004]

What a trooper you were Misty I enjoyed reading that.

[selandra]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

As I've pointed out to Misty before...with ATVs or dirt bikes...you only have to feed them when you ride them. And they don't "buck".

Yeah but they also don't graze contentedly by while you gaze across a beautiful vista in the evening sun. They don't snuffle in your hair and enjoy a good scratch on a cold winter morning or paw at the water during a hot summer swim. Horses have their good and bad moments like all living things... but what makes them best is that they are living!!

[selandra]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

That was my DH's blog. I didn't even know it was still out there.
We just found our land thru a realtor and we didn't move a farm, we came from the 'burbs of Phoenix to build a summer cabin and just never left.
We just moved with a freshly built outhouse ready to place over a hole, an unassembled wood-fired hot tub, lots of tools, 2 kids, 3 dogs and 4 horses.
And a lot of enthusiasm. We stayed in the Sandpoint Motel 6 for THREE months while we built and lives without a bathroom for 18 months.

Wow... we hope to rent while house shopping. Where did you put the furry friends?
I will be moving a farm... which after moving to KY with just me, DH, dog and cat... I know will be an experiance... one I'm sure I'll want to forget.
I don't know if I can talk DH into an outhouse... or myself for that fact. My biggest fear... creepy crawlies under the toilet seat . This from someone who loves to camp and has no problem with a call from nature when in the woods.
DH idea of camping is a fully equiped RV... which is the other option we are pursuing when house hunting.

How difficult is it to find a good builder and how long does it usually take? We've thought of going the raw land and build idea. We want a small (750 - 1200 sq ft) house. I hate housework give me a manure fork anytime.

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by selandra

Wow... we hope to rent while house shopping. Where did you put the furry friends?
I will be moving a farm... which after moving to KY with just me, DH, dog and cat... I know will be an experiance... one I'm sure I'll want to forget.
I don't know if I can talk DH into an outhouse... or myself for that fact. My biggest fear... creepy crawlies under the toilet seat . This from someone who loves to camp and has no problem with a call from nature when in the woods.
DH idea of camping is a fully equiped RV... which is the other option we are pursuing when house hunting.

How difficult is it to find a good builder and how long does it usually take? We've thought of going the raw land and build idea. We want a small (750 - 1200 sq ft) house. I hate housework give me a manure fork anytime.

The horses were boarded in Sandpoint for the first year and the dogs stayed in the motel with us (2 adjoining rooms) DH was working for Coldwater Creek so we got a discount.
We didn't find a builder, we built it all ourselves. Only things we hired out were drilling the well and putting the roof on the cabin. But DH helped the roofer and learned how to do metal roofs so he was able (with a helper) to roof all the other barns and outbuildings.
The original cabin was very small (20 X 24) with a loft. The following summer we built a 6 stall monitor style barn and my in-laws came out and helped us add on a bathroom and laundry room. The summer after that, we added a bedroom wing.
I think it will always be a work in progress, but it's cute, warm and cozy and has a million dollar view. This spring we're planning a small guest cabin because we've wanted one forever and our oldest daughter is getting married in July and we need a place to put guests.

The outhouse was (surprisingly, to me) not really a big deal. We kept a broom in it and it was just our family using it (and using it often!) so the critters stayed away. One of my daughters actually wrote on the wall, "Outhouses are not as bad as I thought they would be." We still have it..it's great as an extra bathroom in summer.

The hardest thing to get used to was living off-grid, but we did it for seven years and it really taught us a lot. Three years ago we tied to the grid but we still use mostly our own solar power. We have very low electric bills but it's very nice to be able to run trough and bucket heaters for the animals!

[selandra]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

The horses were boarded in Sandpoint for the first year and the dogs stayed in the motel with us (2 adjoining rooms) DH was working for Coldwater Creek so we got a discount.
We didn't find a builder, we built it all ourselves. Only things we hired out were drilling the well and putting the roof on the cabin. But DH helped the roofer and learned how to do metal roofs so he was able (with a helper) to roof all the other barns and outbuildings.
The original cabin was very small (20 X 24) with a loft. The following summer we built a 6 stall monitor style barn and my in-laws came out and helped us add on a bathroom and laundry room. The summer after that, we added a bedroom wing.
I think it will always be a work in progress, but it's cute, warm and cozy and has a million dollar view. This spring we're planning a small guest cabin because we've wanted one forever and our oldest daughter is getting married in July and we need a place to put guests.

The outhouse was (surprisingly, to me) not really a big deal. We kept a broom in it and it was just our family using it (and using it often!) so the critters stayed away. One of my daughters actually wrote on the wall, "Outhouses are not as bad as I thought they would be." We still have it..it's great as an extra bathroom in summer.

The hardest thing to get used to was living off-grid, but we did it for seven years and it really taught us a lot. Three years ago we tied to the grid but we still use mostly our own solar power. We have very low electric bills but it's very nice to be able to run trough and bucket heaters for the animals!

Now that is an adventure . We too like the idea of a small log cabin type house. Off the grid is great also. I don't think my DH is quite up to building a cabin right now. He could but it would be years before it was ready to live in. He's a very detailed man and likes everything just right. Why he married an impulsive, chaotic person like me I'll never know . Maybe he enjoys daily torture . Of course, this goes both ways, there are times when I think how well 86 acres could hide a body . Actually he's a great guy and we have a fun life together.

I'd love to see your cabin, do you have an outline? We've been messing around with designs. Anything you'd do different or change? How about didn't do but wish now you had?

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Selandra, my neighbor in Clark Fork knows of a really great log cabin builder in CF. There are several, so I don't know which one she recommends, but I can find out for you once you have more definite plans.

[selandra]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Selandra, my neighbor in Clark Fork knows of a really great log cabin builder in CF. There are several, so I don't know which one she recommends, but I can find out for you once you have more definite plans.

That sounds great... unfortunatly this probably won't be for another few years yet . But when the time comes....

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

ATV's might not buck but they do rear up backwards and stand on their noses. Ask me how I know.
And when they pull manure spreaders (just came in from stall cleaning), they contribute to the beaning of frozen horse poop balls beaning one in the back of the head.

Yeah...mine have reared up and bucked me off too. Then stomped me. So you're right there. It's not as far to the ground from a quad...but speed makes up for altitude. The whole kinetic energy thing...

As to the second part...frozen horse poop balls might hurt...but I'd still take that over thawed ones! That reminds me...with motorized toys, you don't have to muck out the stalls! I'm not sure which is more 'spendy-parts or vet bills ???

All in fun of course, I'm happy there are horses around our place, I like to watch them. I'm even happier that they belong to my neighbors, so I don't have to take care of them!