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There are thousands upon thousands of abandoned farmhouses scattered throughout the US, at bargain basement prices. Mark Gregory gives some advice on how to inspect an abandoned farmhouse before purchasing it.
September/October 1972
By Mark Gregory
FIRST, THE BAD NEWS: SINCE THE END OF WW II, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SMALL FAMILY FARMERS HAVE BEEN FORCED OFF THE LAND BY SPRAWLING CORPORATE AGRIBUSINESS CONGLOMERATES.
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NEXT, THE GOOD NEWS: THERE ARE NOW THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF ABANDONED FARMHOUSES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY. ALTHOUGH MOST NEED MODERNIZING, A GOODLY NUMBER ARE AVAILABLE—WITH (MAYBE) BARN, OUTBUILDINGS AND GARDEN PATCH THROWN IN—AT BARGAIN BASEMENT PRICES.
Thanks to today's large-scale agricultural operations, there are literally thousands of old farmhouses in the United States begging for someone to give them a second chance. Usually abandoned because they were no longer needed when two or more small farms were consolidated into a single large one, such structures have often been left to deteriorate from neglect. Some lack running water or indoor toilets, most do have electricity . . . and a good many are perfectly livable "as is". In many cases—although the big operators won't sell you lot of land—you can buy one of these homes, its outbuildings and a couple of acres for a pretty reasonable price.
I know three ways of locating such an old house. The first, and probably easiest, is to contact a real estate company (United Farm Agency, 612 West 47th St., Kansas City, Missouri 64112; Strout Realty, P.O. Box 2757, Springfield, Missouri 65803; Safebuy Agency, 2405 Gaines St., Little Rock, Arkansas 72203) which deals in farm property from coast to coast . . . and ask for listings in the area of your choice.
A second way to find these old homes (it's both more fun and time-consuming) is by watching the classified ads in the papers. Keep your eyes open for offers to sell that say "handyman's delight" or some such thing.
The third—and probably best way to get a good deal—method of scouting out abandoned farmhouses is to do just that: scout out your own discovery by driving the back roads and talking to everyone in the area that interests you.
No matter which approach you use, do restrict your looking to regions at least 60 miles from large cities if you're really after a bargain. Today's highways make it easy for commuters to drive that distance daily . . . and bid up all the land within (and often beyond) such a radius.
Once you've located an appealing property, you should first—before taking any other action—determine if the building is structurally sound. You may well consider it a good investment to hire a competent building inspector or carpenter to look over the house and advise you on its condition. Then again, you may want to—or have to—pass judgment on the property yourself. In any case, remember that the longer a house has been sitting abandoned, the more difficult it is to determine whether or not the structure is essentially sound and repairable. Don't gloss over-or allow your hired expert to gloss over—anything.
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