Log Cabin retreat

[Anonymous]

cabin owner here again.

If the poster is thinking of renting it out, you cannot be remote...I would suggest anywhere near a ski area. You also cannot consider renting it out to be cash flow positive. Here is what my annual costs look like:

Mortgage $7200 (some tax deductions)
Rental Income $7900 (taxable)
Utilities ( I have all the bells and whistles:internet premium cable): $3600/yr
Repairs: $3000

[Anonymous]

The other cabin owner with the remote place here. I do know what the Minnesota person is talking about.

Our driveway is over a mile long. So, no, the guy from down the street doesn't come by to shovel it out for us. When windstorms come through, nobody comes by to cut all the trees off the driveway. That's why my DH and I both own chain saws. It's not a matter of lack of cash or not doing work up front. There is no one to hire for those things. Cutting one tree down doesn't stop another one from falling.

This, of course, applies only if you buy somewhere remote. That's why I said OP needed to think about these things.

In terms of rental, we don't rent our place out. My in-laws have a second home at the beach which they own with friends, and just sharing with friends was enough to give us an idea of whether we would really want somebody else in our house. We don't. We do lend it out to friends and family, but we never rent it.

It works for us, and especially for my DH. Going into it, though, I did not think about these things in advance. I'm not sure I could have gotten him on board with buying something more like I was thinking, but I didn't try very hard at the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been going back and forth on this idea. I live in Anne Arundel County, so it's easy to go out on 70 to the Berkeley Springs area. We rent a cabin there every year, and the prices are so cheap, it's tempting to buy our own.

For safety and practicality's sake, I would prefer a cabin that's not terribly isolated. I also don't want well water or a septic system, and I do want highspeed internet, so I was leaning toward a cabin resort/community like The Woods in Hedgesville, WV. We drove through it and checked out some homes last month, but even though it's only 12 miles from Berkeley Springs (which has some restaurants we like), it felt much farther because it's a twisty roller-coaster of a road.

Sigh. Just can't find the perfect place. And even Berkeley Springs is probably too far for us to go every other weekend, which is what I was envisioning. I have scoured all the towns on 70 between here and there (Frederick, Hagerstown, and everything in between) for little retreats in the woods, and unbelievably there don't seem to be any.

Look up Lake Holiday in Cross Junction, VA. it is on 522 headed towards Berkley Springs. Gated community with a large lake for boating/fishing/swimming. There is a water treatment facility so you don't have to worry about a well or sewage. Some houses are within 5 years old, others are old. You can get a completely wooded area or a completed cleared area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been going back and forth on this idea. I live in Anne Arundel County, so it's easy to go out on 70 to the Berkeley Springs area. We rent a cabin there every year, and the prices are so cheap, it's tempting to buy our own.

For safety and practicality's sake, I would prefer a cabin that's not terribly isolated. I also don't want well water or a septic system, and I do want highspeed internet, so I was leaning toward a cabin resort/community like The Woods in Hedgesville, WV. We drove through it and checked out some homes last month, but even though it's only 12 miles from Berkeley Springs (which has some restaurants we like), it felt much farther because it's a twisty roller-coaster of a road.

Sigh. Just can't find the perfect place. And even Berkeley Springs is probably too far for us to go every other weekend, which is what I was envisioning. I have scoured all the towns on 70 between here and there (Frederick, Hagerstown, and everything in between) for little retreats in the woods, and unbelievably there don't seem to be any.

Look up Lake Holiday in Cross Junction, VA. it is on 522 headed towards Berkley Springs. Gated community with a large lake for boating/fishing/swimming. There is a water treatment facility so you don't have to worry about a well or sewage. Some houses are within 5 years old, others are old. You can get a completely wooded area or a completed cleared area.

Oooh, thanks for the tip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been going back and forth on this idea. I live in Anne Arundel County, so it's easy to go out on 70 to the Berkeley Springs area. We rent a cabin there every year, and the prices are so cheap, it's tempting to buy our own.

For safety and practicality's sake, I would prefer a cabin that's not terribly isolated. I also don't want well water or a septic system, and I do want highspeed internet, so I was leaning toward a cabin resort/community like The Woods in Hedgesville, WV. We drove through it and checked out some homes last month, but even though it's only 12 miles from Berkeley Springs (which has some restaurants we like), it felt much farther because it's a twisty roller-coaster of a road.

Sigh. Just can't find the perfect place. And even Berkeley Springs is probably too far for us to go every other weekend, which is what I was envisioning. I have scoured all the towns on 70 between here and there (Frederick, Hagerstown, and everything in between) for little retreats in the woods, and unbelievably there don't seem to be any.

Look up Lake Holiday in Cross Junction, VA. it is on 522 headed towards Berkley Springs. Gated community with a large lake for boating/fishing/swimming. There is a water treatment facility so you don't have to worry about a well or sewage. Some houses are within 5 years old, others are old. You can get a completely wooded area or a completed cleared area.

Oooh, thanks for the tip.

I'm the PP. Most of the lots are about .25 acres, but there are some very secluded areas. We had a house there and across the street was just woods. We had one house on the street on either side of us, but not right next door. Some lots were selling for less than $10k last time I looked. I just told DH we should think about this. It is a great place for a summer retreat, or even weekends to just get away. If you want a bigger lot, there are lots of lots available in the area - check out Clear Brook. It is a very pretty area - more like farm country. We have 2 acres there we are trying to sell, but there are so many lots it is making it hard. Its too big for just a summer home, IMO, but I think Lake Holiday would be a good option. Berkley Springs and Winchester are both easy drives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Resist the urge. It will be a headache to maintain. You will be the "big city" person the repair people will take pleasure in swindling. There was an article in the Post a few years ago, with just this situation - the author bought a weekend place out in the country, and he was constantly swindled.

well that's an ignorant, blanket statement
just because someone who writes for the Post had that experience doesnt mean jack.
We own a home that is out of state - wayyyyyy out of state. We have never felt swindled by repair people or anyone else. we plan to retire and move to that home, but till then its a rental.

OP - I think its a divine idea. This place (DC and DCUM) will chew you up and spit you out if you let it. Enjoy your life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the same thought a while back but the traffic on Fridays out I-66 really discouraged me from it. Would you be ok with the long commute to and from? Otherwise I think it is a fine idea. There were some in VA wine country I liked.

VA wine country right past Charlottesville is a great place. It is a relaxing drive 2 hours on Route 29 from the city (once you get off 66). We got out there often. Wintergreen isn't too far from there either.

[Anonymous]

Another person originally from MN here. Cabin culture is big there and because of the number of lakes, most cabins are on the water, which opens up a lot more recreation opportunities. Fishing, swimming, boating, wildlife. Something to just look at. And your kids would love it. So I'd recommend finding a place on water, though I know they are few and far between around here.

[Anonymous]

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Flintstone/13502-Crossover-Rd-NE-21530/home/14714676

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.redfin.com/MD/Flintstone/13502-Crossover-Rd-NE-21530/home/14714676

Nice try... you do realize you bumped a year old thread to try and sell your dumpy looking cabin?

[Anonymous]

$148k for THAT? It looks awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.redfin.com/MD/Flintstone/13502-Crossover-Rd-NE-21530/home/14714676

Nice try... you do realize you bumped a year old thread to try and sell your dumpy looking cabin?

Actually, I am OP of this thread. I was still idly looking at cabins when I came across that gem. There are some aspects of it that are very appealing, but others that are deeply disturbing.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you buy a huge-ass RV? Go to the country one weekend and the beach the next. Plus it's a fabulous guest room for visitors.

[Anonymous]

I love the idea of a country cabin. That place has 25 acres. Hopefully the current occupants don't come with it.

[Anonymous]

Some of my favs:

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Bluemont/19554-Blueridge-Mountain-Rd-20135/home/12037795

http://www.redfin.com/WV/SUMMIT-POINT/60-DUSTY-Ln-25446/home/51679944

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Lovettsville/40107-Quarter-Branch-Rd-20180/home/12014762

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Knoxville/3831-S-Mountain-Rd-21758/home/15245593

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Luray/926-River-Lodge-Rd-22835/home/39915153

http://www.redfin.com/WV/Berkeley-Springs/245-Prospect-Peak-Ln-25411/home/28624961

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Round-Hill/36004-Bell-Rd-20141/home/12025098

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Bluemont/33557-Snickersville-Tpke-20135/home/12037562

Yes, I am obsessed.