Small Houses Part 3 (Camden: 2015, neighborhood, buying)

[Northern Maine Land Man]

There is a vigorous market for Amish made prefab homes or shells. Some people buy the shell and do their own insulating. wiring and interior walls. The market is so busy that we are seeing one unit behind another unit when going to close destinations. Some of these are 14 feet wide and need chase vehicles. Some are recreational, but most are either starter homes or retirement homes. Not to leave out local builders, they are also joining the small prefab home market.

[hotkarl]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

There is a vigorous market for Amish made prefab homes or shells. Some people buy the shell and do their own insulating. wiring and interior walls. The market is so busy that we are seeing one unit behind another unit when going to close destinations. Some of these are 14 feet wide and need chase vehicles. Some are recreational, but most are either starter homes or retirement homes. Not to leave out local builders, they are also joining the small prefab home market.

Same here in upstate NY.
The Amish shed business is off the hook.
Although, they’re not all authentic “Amish”. Some shed companies just market them as Amish as a sales gimmick I suppose. And, some places are now selling them insulated, wired & plumbed.
And totally customizable to order. Yeah it’s become really popular for weekend warriors/camps etc…
Pretty affordable and convenient too. Truck pulls up “where you want it?” And they plop it down and they’re on their way lol

[roadrat]

Just thought I would share this little story and help bump this thread back up to the top.

So my DW and I have been looking for some land here in Maine, We are recent empty nesters currently living in Lewiston and really want to down size and get away from the noise of the city. It's been slim pickings and very high prices for the last few years. We finally found a really nice lot in Farmington 13+ acres for $40,000 nice views, part field, part woods with a stream as a border, It was perfect!
Then I got the disclosure... The deal breaker for us was the minimum dwelling size set at 1600 sqft!
That's bigger than our current house by 50ft!

So I guess the search will continue.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by roadrat

Just thought I would share this little story and help bump this thread back up to the top.

So my DW and I have been looking for some land here in Maine, We are recent empty nesters currently living in Lewiston and really want to down size and get away from the noise of the city. It's been slim pickings and very high prices for the last few years. We finally found a really nice lot in Farmington 13+ acres for $40,000 nice views, part field, part woods with a stream as a border, It was perfect!
Then I got the disclosure... The deal breaker for us was the minimum dwelling size set at 1600 sqft!
That's bigger than our current house by 50ft!

So I guess the search will continue.

Now why would that kind of house size be a requirement and who would establish that, the town ordinance? Not sure why..? To prevent buyers from build tiny homes?

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by svband76

Now why would that kind of house size be a requirement and who would establish that, the town ordinance? Not sure why..? To prevent buyers from build tiny homes?

Most states have adopted building and zoning codes from the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC codes require that all homes must be built on a minimum of 320 square feet.

Maine
Local jurisdictions that allow tiny homes still require one room at least 120 square feet and other habitable rooms to be at least 70 square feet.
Cities, towns, and counties have the freedom to reject tiny homes based on previous codes established. Local ordinances need to be checked for square footage requirements.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...-size-by-state

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by svband76

Now why would that kind of house size be a requirement and who would establish that, the town ordinance? Not sure why..? To prevent buyers from build tiny homes?

Must be deed restrictions, put in place by a previous owner.

[roadrat]

Originally Posted by svband76

Now why would that kind of house size be a requirement and who would establish that, the town ordinance? Not sure why..? To prevent buyers from build tiny homes?

I don't believe that it's a town ordinance, It looks like the land was part of a large farm in the past, and when the owners or more likely there heirs took over and decided to sell they broke it up into lots and added the restriction as a way to keep out the riff raff, and increase the value.
There were several other restrictions, No farm animals of any kind, even chickens, No out buildings, No garages unless they are attached to the main dwelling, You can park a camper on the land but it can't be occupied, etc

Here's a link to the discloser
https://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/main...an=81024&cid=1

[roadrat]

Originally Posted by AustinB

Must be deed restrictions, put in place by a previous owner.

Yes , That's what I'm thinking.

I have to wonder are these restrictions forever? can the town ever change them?

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by roadrat

Yes , That's what I'm thinking.

I have to wonder are these restrictions forever? can the town ever change them?

Not up to the town, if a subdivison, it's in the plan that was approved by the town. If a private owner, maybe it can be changed...

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by roadrat

I don't believe that it's a town ordinance, It looks like the land was part of a large farm in the past, and when the owners or more likely there heirs took over and decided to sell they broke it up into lots and added the restriction as a way to keep out the riff raff, and increase the value.
There were several other restrictions, No farm animals of any kind, even chickens, No out buildings, No garages unless they are attached to the main dwelling, You can park a camper on the land but it can't be occupied, etc

Here's a link to the discloser
https://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/main...an=81024&cid=1

In this case. if all the other property owners of the subdivision were ok with changes, then it would have to go before the town again to be approved.