2nd home up north

[cookiedough]

how many of us have 2nd homes for vacation/weekend trips?  Just curious, since been thinking of buying one up north 3 hours from me in central WI area.  Problem is, like for most,  the asking price with 5 wooded acres is 200K, above my comfort level.  Is too nice of a 'real' live in daily home to just let sit for weeks at a time just to go up there say 10x's per year on weekends.  Is a small 3 bedroom 2 bath home only 10 years old hardly used much at all still like new.  It does not have any real good outdoor storage/garages and the biggie for me is NO basement for storage inside the home, but plenty of open land to build a 3 car garage and pole barn on if need be.  If it had a basement and 2 car garage I would easily offer 200K asking price.  Is in a prime location I like not too far north and not too touristy like further north near Eagle River or Hurley or Hayward WI areas are.  On a lake would be nice as well but I know those listings go even higher.

Was hoping for a cheaper 2 bedroom 1 bath smaller home for say 150K range tops with 5-10 acres of woods.  I guess I can view it and offer 150K even though the asking price is 199K?  Worse they can do is say no right? 

Prices of homes are thru the roof still.  A similar sized, but way older,  house/design as my small ranch home in same small town is asking 225K.  NO way do I think even worth 180K.  I am pretty sure I cannot get 200K for my similar newer home even in today's market.

[carolinarider09]

Since you asked, I will respond.  Comment, I am retired.

No, I have not nor will I probably ever, consider a second home.  The issue, at least for me besides cost, is that, as a second, home, and not being occupied for significant periods, there will be maintenance issues due to long term non use of some items.

Now, these can be over come, by proper planning and preventive maintenance.  But, there is an additional cost involved. 

When I was about 60 and looking at retirement, the wife and I decided that we would begin to seek out a "retirement" home.  We looked at several "used" homes for sale in the area we selected (a rural area in Newberry County) and even made an offer on one but..... in the end, we decided that the only way to get what we wanted was to build our home. 

I went to the local Technical School and enrolled in their training program for a license to be a builder (also watched a lot of "Holmes on Homes").  I knew I would not be able to get a "real" license because it required two years OJT.  But..... I got the piece of paper.

We had an architect design the home to our needs and, probably the most important part, was we had a lighting expert (one I was introduced to at work) to do the lighting.   Really cool the way he did it.

Our home is located on eight ( acre wooded lot and we have three out buildings, besides the home. 

[f6john]

The smartest move would be to invest in something like an air b&b that can provide income that you could use when it suits you and rent out to travelers and the like the rest of the time. Or not, what do I know???

[Ramie]

My second home up north is the hunting shack.  It's not much and don't think my wife could live there.  But I could no problem.  I do every year for a couple months total fishing and hunting.

[six2go #152]

I worked with several people who had 2nd homes "at the lake" and vowed I would never get into that situation. Twice as much of everything, including work.
My opinion which isn't worth much, is to save that inheritance for a rainy day because you know "it will rain".

[scooperhsd]

Personally, if I was really wanting a "2nd home", I'd rather have an RV that I can move where I want, when I want. I'm not sure if that will ever be in the cards, though.

[da prez]

We have a second home in Rhinelander that will become our primary. Bought it 6 years ago and rebuild it. Garage is going in this year. Do not count on finding help in Wisconsin without a year or two waiting list.


                          da prez

[..]

I find it a PITA having the garage with tools stored in 50 yards from the house.

Having to take tools with me every time would be a PITA or then you are buying extra tools just to leave there.

[Jess from VA]

Unless you can be certain of property value appreciation, you would be better served to save that money (and interest), and bank it against future retirement.  Unless you plan to move into it at retirement, and sell your current home (to pay off the 2d home).   

Spend on your current home to keep up it's value relative to the area.

Take vacations, rentals which are far cheaper (and far less headache) than homes. 

[cookiedough]

yah,  concensus says skip the 2nd home since more upkeep and headaches, especially as said not used year round.  thought about renting it out but do not want to take the chances of others destroying the home.  wishful thinking I guess?  Both my neighbors, although older in 60's and either retired or soon to be retired, have fancier homes up in northern WI.  1 goes up near every weekend, while the other only a few times per year.   I guess I have to stop trying to keep up with the Jones's.    

as said, save for retirement since never know what the future holds saving for a rainy day, and technically at least 10 years away from retiring.    

would be nice to have a place, not as fancy, for a getaway though on a lake or in the woods with acreage up north.   wishful thinking....

[cookiedough]

Unless you can be certain of property value appreciation, you would be better served to save that money (and interest), and bank it against future retirement.  Unless you plan to move into it at retirement, and sell your current home (to pay off the 2d home).    

Spend on your current home to keep up it's value relative to the area.

Take vacations, rentals which are far cheaper (and far less headache) than homes.  

yah,  this home up north is probably a great 'retirement' move in ready home, but like said, is 'in reality' about 10 years away from doing that.  Appreciation is probably certain but not sure on that 199K price tag though.  I know what 5 acres of woods goes for in WI in that area and even at 5K per acre (overpriced) is 25K in reality.  The house is certain 10 years ago could not have cost over 100K to build so with NO basement and NO outbuildings of much 150K is reasonable priced to sell.  I think 199K asking price is wishful thinking and as most realtors want the asking price to be HIGH for pure commission,  50K overpriced.  

if not sold by mid  April when going up there next,  setting up appt. to tour the house to help decide.  I know though land with woods with even some acreage in WI is of HIGH value and always in tight supply.  

Is in ideal area though I really like and can see us retiring there sometime in 10 or so years.  Is connected to over 100K acres of public forest land and over 200 miles of ATV trails as well.  Over 1 year ago a property with land in similar area opened up and was not over 150K, house needed work and pole shed needed a floor, but was for sure liveable as well and had potential.  I wish I woulda jumped on that one but wife said no.  Finding a smaller liveable year round home with 5-10 acres of woods and on or very near a lake is very hard to find though.

[carolinarider09]

My parents (back in the late 70's) purchased a home in White Oak, SC.  If I remember correctly, Dad was transferred there (or to that area) from Richmond Hill, GA (International Paper Co.).   They purchased a home (older home but in reasonably good shape) and moved in.

Some two or three years later, Dad was transferred to work in Georgetown, SC.  They rented a home there and traveled back and forth each weekend, keeping the home in White Oak as their retirement place. 

It worked out well for them.  We even got to stay there for several months when I started to work for SCE&G in Jenkinsville, SC.   

So, that is something that could be considered.   The home was an old southern style home with large Magnolia trees in the front and side yards.  My mom named the place "The Magnolias".   There was a church across the street that they joined and they lived there until the went to their heavenly reward.   I visit the church every few years just to say hello and remember.   

[Oss]

we are here in Naples (again)

I only want to pay for the time I am here so we did a VRBO which is like airbnb

We are just  .3 miles from the ocean in a 3br  2nd floor condo with a great pool area for my granddaughter age almost 2   Eat breakfast and lunch in and for dinner usually sample one of the many restaurant choices

We also have 2 deeded timeshare weeks that we either use or gift to our kids for their vacations

That said, I am not adverse to a home down south somewhere, if my wife and I can agree on the place

My brother bought 72 acres with a 15 acre lake near Ticonderoga NY  Loads of ATV trails and very quiet and scenic

He and I will be putting a modular house on that propety in the next year or 2

[Wizzard]

No second home for me. Twice the headaches. I like to move around so VRBO or Airbnb for me.

[cookiedough]

well, as said, save funds for rainy day best bet.  got home tonight after work and 7 p.m. grabbed supper to eat in kitchen and BAM.  1/3rd of our 150+ year old HUGE burr oak tree came crashing down.  got lucky so far,  landed 3 ft from house/garage was about 10 ft from kitchen where I jumped heard the BANG onto ground.   somehow 1/3rd of the tree landed between 7x7 shed and patio about 3 ft from back garage door.  no damage so far.

Wife is sleeping in front bedroom or living room since not sure how safe the left side of tree still standing is safe or not if she sleeps in back bedroom closer to tree.  Left side if comes down will hit back bedroom for sure is taller.    

darn WINDS about 40 mph gust today and still and the 45 degree WARM temp with rain yesterday with 10 degrees this morning with FREEZING rain did am sure the tree NO good thawing / raining , then freezing am sure.  

going to get estimates on removal  hopefully this weekend since pretty sure if 1/3rd of the tree is gone, the other 2/3rd will not live very long.  My guess 4-5 grand tree removal and since no damage to property besides dirt (at least for now)  home insurance will not care or do anything all personal expense.

or, is this a sign for me to sell my house,  retire 10 years too early, buy that house up north, and shoot deer and fish daily living off the land?   From what I can tell from pics of house up north,  all the trees, mostly pine trees, surrounding the house are far enough away that if they came down, would not damage the house up north anyways. 

[Jess from VA]

Monday, I will have my longstanding Tree Service come and remove several tons of old oak trees.

None removed, but a couple severely reduced (because I can only afford the thousands it will cost; removal would double the thousands).

[cookiedough]

Monday, I will have my longstanding Tree Service come and remove several tons of old oak trees.

None removed, but a couple severely reduced (because I can only afford the thousands it will cost; removal would double the thousands).

yah, I got a few quotes of entire tree removal about 15 years ago and was like 5 grand.  I have 2 of 4 I called tree removal places coming today and tomorrow.  Will see what they say?  Best case scenario is remove 1/3rd of the tree dangling still 15 ft up still somewhat attached landing in my yard and trim severely all the dead limbs on the other 2 good main sections.  Not so sure then worth keeping it still up though with over 1/3rd gone?  If that left taller side ever comes down, will be landing on my house and that will cost much more than the 5K to remove it all now.... 

tree had one main section going up 15 ft then splitting off to 3 main limbs.  middle limb is iffy at best since rotted somewhat as well 15ft up where the right main limb broke off.  Left limb got struck by lightning 15 years ago when I got estimates of removing the tree entirely.   IMO the tree as-is with 2 main limbs will survive for another 10-15 years, but greatly shorten the timeframe of life was hoping next 20 years but highly doubt it surviving now that long.   

gotta get the right main limb removed and actually see how it goes in next few weeks and analyze how that middle main trunk looks once removed right limb where it split.   I do know though is still totally HOLLOW down that break off about 6 more feet down so doubt worth keeping tree up and taking the chance of more rotting away and left limb coming down hitting house in next 5-10 years.

my estimate remove just 1/3rd of broken tree and tree trimming will be 2 grand but removing entire tree 4-5K out of pocket.  I doubt home insurance cover anything since no damage, or at least not yet.  I have a 1K deductible anyways and if no house damage, home insurance will not care about a tree on property.

[Jess from VA]

If you neglect old obvious tree risk to home, and it falls on home, homeowners ins. may refuse coverage on anything. 

[cookiedough]

If you neglect old obvious tree risk to home, and it falls on home, homeowners ins. may refuse coverage on anything.  

yah, after talking to 2 of 3 tree removal places, all said if heavily trimmed left better taller side so not hit house give 5-15 years max tops to live, in their opinion.  I would give it 20 years max. but not knowin the unknown still a decent sized limb left next 15 years could come down on one of us since we spend dozen of hours outside in the garden and patio and mowing yard all within reach of what might be left of the oak tree.  difference in price is 2K for remove dead stuff and heavily trimmed to 3 to 3.5K total removal.  Hate to see it go is GREAT shade tree sitting on patio and cools the house immensely the last 30 years here, but guess probably best to remove it all to be safe.  Every year a 6-8 ft. limb comes down in our yard so a lot of dead or weak branches up there.  PLus, we get MAJOR wind conditions every single year in our backyard and that burr oak tree SWAYS side to side 2-3 feet which is scary just to look at.  For 1K extra or so is best to cut it down long term.  Will miss it though big time.  Guess we lucky since came within 10 ft of hitting house and 4 ft from garage and storage shed.  If it broke on bottom vs. 15 ft up, the house and garage would be busted up now.

at least taking off 2 days off work probably get it done Monday and Tuesday to help out cleaning up what they cut down with boom/bucket truck since some limbs are 70 ft up easily.

and here I wanted to buy another house up north in the woods surrounded by 100's of pine trees, although I think most are far enough away to not hit the house.  But if had a garage on either side built which I would need, for sure some trees in the 5 acres would hit the garage probably.  As said,  most have enough of a hard time maintaining just 1 home, let alone 2.  I have enough 'honeydo lists' at my current home to last me the rest of my life.

my wife just said she does not now feel safe to ever sleep in the back bedroom knowing what just happened now if we left the taller left side in better condition at the base up knowing it could silently come down on the house.  If we heavily trimmed that left taller side up top, it would look stupid for sure and also not offer much shade either if cut down say 30% or more of the left taller side.  I agreed with her.  She did say at least keep the base to set about twelve 10lb. grow bags on for our garden beans/potatoes, etc. so at least the flat base about 8 ft wide left to right will be useful.  Is a BIG sucker for sure.  I was just hoping the tree would last me 20 more years but now probably not even if left up and the chances of more rot and decay are probably a given the next 10 years knowing the right side base is hollow 10-15 ft up.  Having one good left side (and back side trunk in middle) will look stupid as well without the rightside now fallen down.  

burr oak trees are very hardy though and forgiving in windy conditions.  A smaller burr oak sprouted up alongside this huge burr oak tree and was only 20 ft up so cut down myself since was leaning over badly.  I have a video of hooking up my 2-up ATV with winch weighing 850lbs. and me on it near 300lbs.   I kept tugging in reverse dozens of times bending the main branch backwards at least 8 ft and darn thing would NOT SNAP off and break.  I was digging holes in my backyard  in 4wd spinning tires and even lifted the entire front of my ATV up 2 ft in the air gunning it in reverse, all the while my kids were laughing at me.  I finally got it snapped off, but took me hours since had no chain saw to cut it down at the base and my hand bow saw would not work too small. 

[Jess from VA]

One other thing.  You can cut a big tree down and have them grind the stump down (below surface, and remove all mess, and it's a lot of wood chip mess).  Then you need a yard or more of soil to fill the hole (your work).

Or you can tell them to leave the stump, which can be cut very low, or high enough to attach a a table top, or stick a big potted plant on.  You can usually save a bunch of money leaving the stump when doing a full removal. 

I had a large magnolia in my front yard.  Beautiful tree with blooms, but a terrible year round mess (magnolias heavily shed all summer).  I climbed and trimmed out the top many times, trying to keep it smaller.  I built an 8 sided box around it (2 2X6 tall with 2X4 top trim) and filled it with stone.  I finally got sick of cleaning up the mess under this tree (killing the lawn) and had it cut down.  But I had them leave the stump so I didn't have to tear up my box and move all the stone.  The stump sits with a big concrete pot planter on it inside the box with stone.  Less work for me and less cost to leave the stump.   

[cookiedough]

yep, agree, leaving the stump about 1 foot off ground.  Wife already claimed it to put about 10-12 ten gallon grow bags on it for potatoes and beans, among other veggies. 

if NOT raining Tuesday, going to help out since only a 2 person crew in this small town tree trimming business.  I doubt will get done in 1 day but sure hope so.  Rain is coming late Tuesday and the next few weeks so if not Tuesday,  his BOOM truck will not make it back there since live in wet area and with 50 degree temps vs. in 30's, ground will be unfrozen soon and a wet mess sinking in get stuck for sure.

wish they could come Monday but he has another job must get done already committed.  Basically, price is tad over double to remove all vs. remove 1/3rd of broken side and trim other side up some to relieve some weight, but still no guarantees what is left on left side will not come down 5-10 years from now and hit house or us since came down silently almost.

[da prez]

  Possibly drop it and advertise for free firewood. Be sure an agreement is signed to release you from harm from the firewood scrounge.

                                                         da prez

[cookiedough]

  Possibly drop it and advertise for free firewood. Be sure an agreement is signed to release you from harm from the firewood scrounge.

                                                         da prez

well, way way way too much free firewood.  If let sit my 40x100 ft backyard would be all wood debris, no thanks.  The burr oak is at least 70ft up and about 70 ft wide is HUGE old one, probably one of the biggest in town.  I just do not feel safe anymore knowing that the front side cracked off 15ft up and know it is totally HOLLOW where it snapped off 6ft downward and water/ice/snow will accumulate more so in that hole and rot the back main trunk off in no time leaning to farmers field.  Only a matter of years before that drops leaving me no choice in 5-10 years to remove the taller left side which can hit the house. 

I will GREATLY miss the shade cooling the house and patio LOVED it past 30 years best std. 100x110 ft lot in town IMO.  We went to Costco today and have a cheap alternative that will help.  WE bought for 150 bucks a 10ft heavy duty cloth umbrella that cranks up/down into our 1.5 inch middle base of our wrought iron round patio table, very sturdy and has 56 mini LED lights inside and tilts 30 degrees as well, very lightweight at 20lbs. and will just take out if we get rain or higher winds and slide it out and store in garage or shed, easy enough.  Some shade somehow is better than none but our grass in backyard will never be as lush as it is in the HOT summer when the rest of the yard is dormant from the heat NOT growing.  I will not miss though picking up weekly sticks and small branches and about 60 gallons of acorns every few years when that old burr old tree drops them by the bucket load, few hitting my head sorta hurts. 

funny story today:  I dug out buried in the frozen dirt my junker 14ft semi v-hull leaning by the back of the burr oak tree. I had to take a pointed heavy duty shovel to chip away at the semi-frozen ground.  I lifted the back end up 1 foot and out came a HUGE raccoon.   Thought it was over so dug out some more and put my hand down in the back wondering why was so heavy still and only 6 inches from my hand out shot out another HUGE raccoon scaring the crap outta me.  both ran to my front yard and went somewhere so immediately closed my garage door not wanting them in there next.  Had enough fun for one day so stopped until hoping Tuesday the tree gets removed and NO rain.  If rain, will be unable to do it ground will be a muddy mess where I live and doubt his BOOM truck with get back there in the farmers soft muddy field.

[cookiedough]

found another home on realtor.com but only been listed 3 days and already has a pending offer on it.  Is my ideal getaway home or full time home (if was closer to retirement) only 2 bedroom 1 bath with 8.5 acres with woods and stream with detached 2 car garage and GREAT 40x70 pole barn to fit everything inside, also on a main road that would be plowed unlike the other one set back 400 yards into a skinny rural trail road not maintained at all.  ONLY 249K  - LOL    It does have though being older built 1944 a firewood heater set in the middle of the house, not a huge fan of that for heating methods in WI winters.

Interesting find is ONLY 1 mile south of the other listing that started this post.  about same size house as that 3 bedroom 2 bath more modern looking home,  but 60+ years older and 50 grand more asking price.   My mind must be set back in 1990 pricing for both with only 5-8 acres or so and no basement and either older or other one pre-fab home with no outdoor storage is way above what I think the price should be by at least 50 grand.

[cookiedough]

well, burr oak tree came down with NO hiccups.  landed just a few yards from neighbors 1 car garage though so got lucky on that one.  Was suppose to go directly into farmers field due west and went SW so got lucky yet again.  After seeing the middle 12 inch round was rotten out and much to my surprise the left tall side at base about 5 feet up was HOLLOW which was a shock.  I thought that was the good side even though struck by lightning 19 years ago about.  am guessing that lightning strick hollowed out somehow the wood inside pretty bad.  Was ICE still in the base of tree where it was black rotten out completely in that 12 inch round area.

was lucky tree removal guy tied up both of the tops together for the base split in two was rotten in the middle when it started to come down from 70ft up, otherwise the left side woulda hit the neighbors 1 car garage in backyard.  

tree removal guy got lucky, his hired hand never showed up at all.  My wife and me took off work moved about 2000lbs. each of cutup chunks of  wood him working the chain saw mostly.  My retired neighbor also worked the wood chipper a few hours filling up a half a big truckload full of bark chips.   From 10:30 (he showed up over 2 hours late) until 4 p.m. we cut up and removed over 1/2 the tree.  The other half (mostly the base of both sides of the trunk going up 30 ft) is sitting in the farmers field for them to do tomorrow and he will have his hired hand there he said to help him this time.  So, going into work tomorrow darn it.  If, I am able to move since my legs/hips are shot.  Wife pulled a tendon I think behind her left knee unable to bend it either.  Sucks getting old and out of shape. 

was not as tiring and as bad as I thought.  Sure beats shingling my roof about 15 years ago when I was age 38.  NO way could I do that anymore took 2 full days to do, once again just the roofer company owner and me was all to do a ranch style home in 2 full 10 hour days.   Could not work like that now in my 50's that long, was rough age 38.  today about 5 hours straight was enough for me on my feet lifting 2000 lbs. or so one chunk of wood at a time.
Wife commented though was glad is done now no harm to house anymore, but the west sunset down low was shining HORRIBLY into our patio door facing west almost blinding us with sun.  Prior, the huge oak tree would block a lot of the light from coming into hour house backside facing west.  that is NO more unfortunately, completely BARE back there feels empty.

Wife already has a long list of ideas with one being planting a row of apple and pear trees in backyard.  Oh boy, more planting needing done now?

[carolinarider09]

Interesting story and a good example of why "foresters" really have to be good at what they do to get it right and minimize injuries.  

Chainsaws and felling trees, dangerous work to be sure.  

I have felled trees in my life, not many but more than a few.   And hardwoods do provide for interesting fells.   Can never tell about the interior.   They do strange things as they grow.  

[Jess from VA]

I had an ace crew in to trim my old oaks Mon and Tues.  A big bucket truck and a tracked smaller creeper bucket that's all folded up, but extends to 89 feet.  Essential for back yards and places the big truck cannot get to.  A good crew works like a well oiled machine, and I had guys in the buckets, and free climbers.  All the cuttings had to be roped down so as not to destroy things.  I like to watch, but worked as a general ground man to stay busy.  I also bought them lunch, and provided water and soda.  Frigid mornings but warmed up to decent each day.

Cut the entire top half of the oak in my driveway, so no more acorns and deadwood on my new cars/trucks.  Trimmed back all branches overhanging my property of my next door neighbor's oak, just over the property line (with permission) since that tree, growing toward the sun over the years, was over-weighted right toward my house.  The largest and oldest oak in my backyard had all limbs overhanging my house cut back.  That job was a bitch.

These things are awesome.





Good professional work, and good cleanup. 

I particularly enjoyed watching one of the local tree rats go running up my driveway tree, and run out of tree, repeatedly.    

[cookiedough]

yah, I wish the local tree crew had that TALL contraption.  I took off yesterday to help cleanup my yard thinking was OVER and yard looked fine.  NOW,  the tree trimmer owner and his 1 crewmember decided today (while I was at work) to NOT remove the rest of the tree (50%) that was all laying in the farmers field and go thru the field, too wet, etc.  They came right up my backyard yet again from a muddy field and is a WAR ZONE.    gotta luv it - NOT.  He said he will bring dirt and a gas powered leaf blower to remove the mess on Friday.  But what about the 6 to 8 inch ruts over 1/2 of my entire backyard?  guess bring lotsa dirt?   He said took him and his 1 crewmember 8 hours to remove 1/2 the tree in the field. 

Will see what happens next?  My garden dirt is toast compacted easily 1 foot flattened hard all over as well being 6 ft wide by 70 ft. wide.  My backyard has corn shucks and ruts all over as well from farmers field and 10000lb trailer going thru it. 

I was told by his dad yesterday that he was going to bring his HUGE 4wd tractor and go thru the farmers field, guess not?   The overloaded trailer full of wood is still stuck in the farmers field am guessing 12000 lbs. total trailer/wood.