If you, per chance, were to look into the archives of my old blog, going as far back as June of 2004, then you would find that I have always talked about old churches, log cabins, my Dad's old home-place, barn homes being restored, and so forth when it comes to the type of buildings I love. The following is a portion of a post I wrote on July 16, 2004:

I see such beauty in old things. We were driving out of Louisiana into Texas and they had this row of old buildings jacked up on stilts and waiting for people to buy them to put on new foundations. One was an old church (a small one with beautiful old blue stain glass windows) and Mike was looking at it as we drove by saying "Now, that's the kind of broken down junk you would have me buy and expect to be able to fix."

I just like old things and old places. They make me feel comfortable. I feel like it would be something truly worthwhile to take an old, falling apart building, and build it back up into a bit of its former glory, or maybe even better. I very much dislike concrete and most things "modern" in design. Give me an old building to always be working on, and I'll be happy.

Several months ago I read an article online about France selling off many of its government owned buildings because it just couldn't afford to keep them in this economy. The article did not list how to find these places for sell but I am lucky to know someone who knows the language pretty well (two guesses as to who...lol) and he directed me to the Cessions immobilières de l'Etat website. The different buildings will be for sell over the next 5 years (maybe they are stretching the sales out that far in hopes that the economy bounces back and they won't have to lose their most precious of buildings?!). There is a huge assortment of buildings to suit everyones tastes and I love looking over the website and "dreaming" of the possibilities.

Ever considered buying and running your own hotel in Paris? Why not buy the Seignelay Hotel in Paris. It's in the 7th arrondissement (district), which is the same district the Eiffel Tower is in! The hotel sits on about 24 acres (if the translation is correct) and has lovely gardens.

Perhaps you would rather have a place that you could live and work in? Would a 13th century mansion work for you? The Patras Mansion, named after its owner, is located in the Ile de France region, which includes the Paris district. It is the most populated region of France! The property includes two main buildings and a garden park. The first building has both residence and office levels in it, and the second building is mainly used for storage.

I would have to say my personal favorite is this "beauty" in the western region of France. It is located in Port de Piles, Vienne and I love it!

Yes, yes, I see the doors falling off, and the graffiti painted on the walls, but look at that stonework! Isn't it beautiful?!

I can imagine so well the beauty of what a place like this could become. There are several buildings, including the larger L-shaped main building, and the location by two rivers couldn't be more beautiful! To think! This place was previously used as a camping area! I can think of much better uses for it that that ;-)

If you want to look at more properties on the website, I highly recommend you have Google Translate opened in a separate window so that you can more easily move back and forth between translated pages and the real website.

If you are interested in learning more about getting a loan for French property, feel free to check out Adrian Leeds website. Adrian is a staple on House Hunters International when it comes to Paris properties!

Do you have a love for old buildings like I do? Or, do you think I'm absolutely crazy?!

Sallie

My parents always owned their own home. They started off small, and with small lots, until they could build up to what they really wanted but could afford. We lived in 3 homes while I was growing up, and they've up-sized three times since then. Now they own close to 5 acres with a contractor built house, that they purchased a year after the contractor decided he was ready to build himself a newer home (I guess contractors can afford to do that...lol). That was more than 10 years ago. They don't have plans for moving again.

Mike's parents always lived in base housing. After dad retired from the Air Force, and scored a civilian job working for the Air Force in Colorado, they purchased a lot and had a house built to their specifications. They chose a great area and have lived there for about 16 years. I doubt they ever move again either.

Mike and I have always wondered: "What is the best choice for our family?"

I have to tell you this is the hardest thing I've ever had to wait for concerning God's timing!! Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, in both of our families owns their own homes, or have in the past. We are the lone holdouts on a house purchase.

Don't get me wrong. This is not a jealousy issue that makes it hard. It isn't even a coveting issue. I'm thrilled for all of the extended family we have with their own homes. I'm proud of the accomplishments they make in renovations. I'm proud of all of the accomplishments of financial stability. I'm so very happy for all of them! For many, I know the hard road that led them to where they are now. I stand amazed at all God has accomplished for them and know He will too for us... in His timing. For me, owning a home is simply an "I wish we were settled for good" issue. I guess military housing, with all of its silliness, just reminds me too much of a lack of roots. That actually can be quite funny given the fact that I've desired to be a missionary since I was a young girl. Truly, if our prayers are answered, then God may never give us roots!

Just in case He does, though, there are several good things about not yet owning a home. One great thing is the opportunity we have to create a mental check list of what we do and don't want. There are several NO-NO's on that list already: galley kitchen; small bathrooms; tiny garage or workshop. There are several BIG YESES on our list as well: HUGE fireplace -- the walk in kind is highly acceptable; wood floors; large porch for friendly gatherings; plenty of garden space -- for both veggie and flowers.

We also would both like a distinct home. We love log cabins as much as we like small seaside cottages. I love small old churches and barns. We both love OLD stone homes with 3 foot thick walls. Mike loves old houses with hidden stairwells. I can see us renovating any of  an assortment of old buildings to become our family home.

But until God gives us the OK, and He works everything out for a purchase, we wait. We appreciate the blessing of a roof over our head, running water, electricity, and so many other conveniences others find lacking in their lives. We have so much to be thankful for. A house is just a thing... and we can wait as long as we need to for that special one that God already has for us.

Do you own your home or do you rent?  Did you buy, only to wish you were still renting? Do you like new homes, or older homes with character? Share your thoughts and feel free to leave an URL with a post about your home. I'd love to come for a visit :-)

Sallie

My husband and I have always loved older historic homes and have dreamed of moving into one. We now find ourselves with the unique opportunity to actually rent one with an option to purchase. This gives us a chance that we just were not expecting! We are very excited about actually living in it first and seeing what little "quircks" it might have ;-)

 We've actually been considering two houses but the one was just too outdated and we'd have to lease for a year... not something we wanted to do without being allowed to do some changing. The other one is a 1928 Sears Catalog house and is smaller than we'd like but very do-able. The owners were very quick to send pictures and stay in touch with us so we look forward to meeting them and working out the terms.

Do you like old houses or new? What is your best square footage thoughts for a family of 6? Do you think we can live with a bath and a half? I joked with my mom that we could always add a shower in the garage for the guys...LOL!! Well, you have to always be willing to make a few compromises when buying or leasing, right? I doubt we would ever get everything on our list so we'll just see how it works out!

Tags: Historic+Homes, Sears+Catalog+House, rental, buying, selling, leasing, New+Bern, North+Carolina, Oriental, Bayboro, Havelock

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Sallie

We looked at base housing but the two options available to us -- staff housing and officer housing -- are only 1100 and 1400 square feet respectively. We are in about 1600 right now and that is about as small as we feel comfortable in. Granted, I don't thing the downstairs layout in this house is very well designed but it works. The staff housing is on the "to be renovated" list and we've done that already. Twice. We don't want to move again unless it is to buy a house. The officer housing is townhome style and I'm really tired of that. I am ready for space. I think we all are!

So, with that in mind, we have been in contact with several property managers and real estate agents recently. Only one person seemed completely not interested in renting the home so we marked them off the list after the second email. Perhaps they had other interested parties who have a need earlier than we do but I want to find a home and dealing with someone who seemed so uninterested only makes me worry what they would be like as a landlord. Not someone I want help from at two in the morning if plumbing should break or something.

One of our problems with buying without ever having been to the area, is that there are three Marine Corps bases within approximately 50 miles of each other. It is very possible that Mike could just move between the squadrons and bases and we would never have to move housing again! Therefore, we need to make sure a home we purchase is somewhere feasible for transportation to all. Also, there are things we LOVE like historic districts and quaint older neighborhoods. We absolutely hate cookie cutter houses. We've lived in those long enough! We used to love going for drives to the small towns outside of Beaufort when we lived in South Carolina. We always said we'd love to live "some place like that" little town, whichever town it was on that particular day. Two small historic towns near Cherry Point are New Bern (the closest -- and celebrates its 300th birthday in 2010) and Kinston (previously Kingstown in its early days but after the revolutionary war, the extra letters were dropped.. about 40 miles away).

We are currently looking at a rental in New Bern in their historic district. We are supposed to get more information soon but it sounds like if fits us perfect right now. Plus, renting in the historic district gives us the added advantage of learning from our home-owner neighbors what is required when owning a historic home. Several are for sale a few streets over and so we are keeping our eyes on those as well. This house is 2000 square feet AND has a den (for Mike's library) and an extra bonus room that would be a very sweet school room! It also has about a half acre with it and from google earth, it looks like there are plenty of trees in the yard.. a must-have for boys!

The real estate agent in Kinston that we talked with was very sweet and sounded truly like a belle on the phone. She was very honest and gave us great advice for waiting until we could drive to see the town. The great thing about Kinston, even though it is farther away than we would like, is that the housing prices are SO much lower. A house in New Bern could easily run us $175,000 where a house in Kinston could be had for $85,000. Something we need to consider definitely as gas prices go up and up!! Our housing allowance changes with the area too. In New Bern, it falls under Cherry Point and would be $1397. In Kinston, it would fall under Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the rate there is somewhere between $1150 and $1200 ~ I can't remember the exact number. Because of the mortgage rate, it wouldn't be that big of a deal but we do have to consider driving expenses.

We want to own our very own home. However, we know that it will be in God's timing and we are content to wait until we know the time is right with Him. Have you rented? What are some things to watch out for? Did you buy? What are the pros and cons? I'd love to hear your feedback!

Tags: buy, rent, New Bern, Kinston, North Carolina, Marine Corps, Cherry Point, expenses, real estate, house hunting, historic property, housing allowance, base housing

Sallie