Buying a home you see on Earth House

 You live in Texas but you are willing to move wherever it takes to find an alternative home. You are searching the net and you find a home that fits your needs and your price range in Wisconsin. Now you see that it is listed here on this site and it comes with contact information. But you have studied the site enough to know you can contact that person. You call them up and they tell you the price. They want $235,000. You want the home but you know you have to travel to Wisconsin. You are in a dilemma most of our viewers are in. You are dealing with a home which is of unknown build, in a far off state, and you want it. What do you do?

 Taking a home which is unlisted with normal real estate folks isn't because the house is bad or off or broken. Many want to earn the best amount of money they can. They go into it as one who knows the business end of their home. And they find it difficult to give up anything to anyone which means they sought to be successfully independent.

 Now that doesn't mean you can't help. You can. I've been in this part of the selling for 8 years. It was my business online before most got into it. I enjoy it and I love the work. I don't earn much and I don't brag. I have a lot of people I've helped and most are friendly but forgetful.

 So take a bit and think of the horse pulling the sled. Not many pass even a carrot to me but sometimes I want to neigh and complain just a little. That is human nature I guess but sometimes the horse complains so he can enjoy what he does a little bit more.

 Buying a home in such an uncertain time is a situational problem. Many of these homes are located in far off places. Sometimes they are unusual designs. Some of them are underground and that can be a problem for an insurance company.

 Frankly I find it ironic because insurance companies will insure a home without thinking of flood or earthquake or hurricane or tornado yet most earth sheltered homes will withstand most of those. Why? Because of the wisdom of the builders.

 Now some homes are designed by experts and some are designed by the people who sell the home. So find out. Ask if there are approved designs and that usually refers to an architect and/or engineer. And if they have those make sure they go with the home. You might need them if you ever pass on the home.

 Another concern is banks. If you are looking to mortgage remember to get those official plans. Find out where the planning permissions were stored. Which County, town or city? Having original information can aid you with banks and insurers.

 Also remember that many of these homes are designed to be self sufficient and some are designed to withstand weather and earth and will most likely be around as long or longer then the bank.

 Do research on the area. Find out what you like and dislike. I list homes that are often in the boonies. And that is far out. And they are there because people want privacy or want to try and get off the grid. Some of these homes are designed to be off the grid and they sell fairly fast.

 Find out if there is a real estate company involved. Some of my listings are listed with other companies. I don't approach people to sell their homes. They come to me. I find it much easier that way. And this means if there is you can work with them. If there isn't you are responsible for making the first contact.

 When making contact tell them who you are. Tell them where you saw the listing as some have their own web sites.

 Share with them what you need from them and be sure to set up contact times and places to view that persons home. Please don't ever show up unannounced. Prepare ahead of time and double check or even triple check if you are traveling long distance. People can be forgetful and you don't want to create problems and nor do they. Get names and phone numbers and specific directions. Study Mapquest and most times they'll have the directions you need.

Make this an adventure and you'll have fun. Be sure to check out the house thoroughly. If necessary hire someone to check it for you. Be sure and write me about your adventures. I'd like to hear from you and I'll publish it if you put it in article form.

write me

Joel Akin

earthhouse@gmail.com