We gave it a good look yesterday but no we didn't get a professional Inspector out there. Some of the neighbors are on small lots and look like they've only been there maybe 2 or 3 years. I haven't put an offer in yet, I'm still weighing the idea, but the budgeting seems very viable without cutting into the Beer & Chinese food allotment....
I'm sure there are plenty of hidden surprises but not many of them will be showstoppers in the 5-10 years of attention I'd plan on giving this place, paying cash as I go along and only hiring a professional when necessary. I understand that after buying a short sale property there is a waiting period of 3 years before you can mortgage for the full value, that'll help with any heavy-duty issues with the house if needed.
It hasn't been surveyed, since it was handed down through the family and there were no neighbors close enough to care for probably the first 100 years, so that'd be step 1 as soon as snow melts and Surveyors can get out there. Step 2 would be some type of perimeter fence, at least in some key areas maybe split rail with onsite timber? Step 3 is to plant a few hundred fruit and nut trees at the north end of the property, the nearest neighbor is back there on the west side, that'll give them something quiet to look at, and in a few years the orchards will be producing enough apples, cherries, nuts and whatever else, to join a local Farmers Market and make a few pesos. The orchard will take care of itself for the most part, I'm sure there will be mowing and tending a few times over the year but it's pretty much just a passive process. If for whatever future reason reason I'd sell the place, 2 or 3 acres of fruit trees will add good value then for just a few thousand dollars and my labor now.
