[johndeerefan]

Per Betty's request I post some pics of my home.

We built this log home in 2008 on a 10 tract of land. It has 2000 sq. ft. of living space, but almost half the upstairs area is vaulted ceiling so the actually house size reflects something like 2800 sq. ft. if it had a full upstairs. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. It has the latest technology of electronic gizmos built in it. It is computer networking plug ins, built in bose theater surround sound speakers, hidden cabinet in the wall for all tv electronic gadgets, remote control lighting, and closet lights come on when you open the door (like a refrigerator). We also installed a hybrid heat pump system. It runs like an electric heat pump until the touchscreen thermostat says the outside temperature is below a preset level. Then, it switches over to a propane system for auxiliary heat.

Other amenities include all wood walls and ceilings throughout the main living area with hardwood floors, all bedroom areas have drywall and carpet, bathrooms are drywall with tile floors, alll downstair ceilings are 9' tall/upstairs are standard 8', hickory kitchen and bathroom cabinets with granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances, all the door knobs, hinges, and all the faucets are oil rubbed bronze finish for that antique look, jacuzzi garden tub in the master bath, and a pre-made tornado storm shelter installed under the porch with easy access. I also built my son a playhouse from some of the scrap materials. Since these pics, we have installed decorative exposed aggregate sidewalks.

 

[Stephenscity]

Beautiful home!!!

 

[bettyp]

Thanks Tim , a beautiful home you have . Just love all the open look.
Sure a lot will love seeing it again as much as I have . Thanks again

 

[AG135]

awesome house, log homes are my favourite

 

[missouri massey man]

Absolutely superb creation !! Looks comfortable and cozy.

 

[Guest]

Absolutely superb creation !! Looks comfortable and cozy.

Ditto. thanks for reposting. I remember when you did it before. Definately love the open concept and love log homes.

 

[DerickS]

Whew! Thats darned fancy and I love it, thanks for the pics

 

[Farquharsen]

Very Nice

 

[Mrs Harris]

Amazing looking place, love the night pics too... a home to be proud of

 

[Lovesthedrive]

Sweet home, must be nice to have money (even to be able to earn money)

 

[johndeerefan]

Sweet home, must be nice to have money (even to be able to earn money)

It was a long time in the making. I built my first house on 20 acres (low budget and small) by myself based on an income of $10 per hour. So when I sold it, I had a lot of sweat equity. Plus, land prices doubled and home prices were at their peak. Then I rolled the equity money over into this one. You don't have to have money to have things, just work hard and most importantly spend the money you have in the right ways. We don't eat out, drive new vehicles, go shopping all the time, or buy non essential items (okay a few here and there). My point is I am paying for this house on a $60K a year household income, but it is not easy and you have to watch what you spend. When we get our tax refund, it goes to improving the value of our home instead of blowing it or taking extravagant vacations. That way when and if I sell it, it will be worth more unlike a depreciating vehicle or something that loses value.

 

[missouri massey man]

Sweet home, must be nice to have money (even to be able to earn money)

It was a long time in the making. I built my first house on 20 acres (low budget and small) by myself based on an income of $10 per hour. So when I sold it, I had a lot of sweat equity. Plus, land prices doubled and home prices were at their peak. Then I rolled the equity money over into this one. You don't have to have money to have things, just work hard and most importantly spend the money you have in the right ways. We don't eat out, drive new vehicles, go shopping all the time, or buy non essential items (okay a few here and there). My point is I am paying for this house on a $60K a year household income, but it is not easy and you have to watch what you spend. When we get our tax refund, it goes to improving the value of our home instead of blowing it or taking extravagant vacations. That way when and if I sell it, it will be worth more unlike a depreciating vehicle or something that loses value.

You should be quite proud of yourselves. You and MrsJDFan are showing a very logical, methodical, and conservative method of getting yourselves financially secure. So many of the young people today get in way over their head because they buy into the hype of spending in a reckless manner on things that are not worth anything after they are paid for and depreciating faster than payments can be made. My hat is off to you, by the time you are my age, maybe you'll own half of Kentucky !!! There isn't a person on ATF that wouldn't congratulate you on your station in life. Your family instilled the correct virtues as you were coming up, I guarantee. Be proud, and remember to pick up an old Massey one of these days...it'll fill the void between the 'pops' on the old two cylinders !!

 

[Kiwi071]

Great house and you have done it the right way,not wanting everything now as so many people all over the world do,
borrow money they can not repay,go out on the town on their credit card it all has to be paid for.
Thanks for letting us see your house we had the tour with out wearing out the carpets and those beautiful stained floors.

 

[johndeerefan]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. We are living life as planned right now, but it might come crashing down at any minute. Anything unexpected can happen.

Here is the first house I was talking about. 1200 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 1 bath. I built it for around $50K. When I sold it, it appraised for $135K. I never got around to putting brown flagstone over the concrete.

 

[Guest]

Congrats. Well done and great restraint on the needs vs. the wants. As said, you should be very proud of how you and the wife are living responsibly. Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[bettyp]

John Deere fan .I'm sp glad that I requested these pics of the house again . I just read all of this post and what a wonderful true story you have shared . Better than heady a book . Thanks so much for sharing again And know you are really enjoying living this story .

 

[prwttsh]

Very, very nice!!!!!

 

[DC Snider]

A beautiful home and very picturesque setting! My Mom & Dad built their "dream log home" on the family farm about 12 years ago.