What’s Your Dream Home?

My wife and I are looking at a restaurant/lodge in northern WY that was for sale last year but taken off market because of a leach field problem. It's 13 acres in the Bighorn National Forest that was built in 1919... 20 room rentals and a small restaurant/bar. The only catch is that since it's national forest we would be leasing the land for 4% of the net profit and only own the improvements. It sits at the base of 450 miles of maintained trails that are groomed in the winter for snowmobiles, so it's a year round income stream. It's going to need lots of repairs but it's an incredible spot surrounded by millions of acres of land that can't be developed. It has a spring fed creek on one side and a small river on the other side with 5 lakes above it. Still waiting to hear the status of the septic system but hopefully we can make this happen in the spring.

I hope that you are successful in your pursuit.

The exquisite "escape" ...... how truly soul satisfying.

Having sold bought/ SEVEN houses in 30 years,here is what I learned.

1. OPEN HOUSES r for the listing agent to point potential buyers to some of their OTHER listings...rarely
do they produce a solid offer on your house.
2. HIGH PRODUCING AGENTS (volume wise) r NOT vested in REALLY protecting your butt. (contract wise)..they delegate it off.
3. PRICE the house correctly......i have sold a house in 8 hrs and the longest was 3 weeks (in Alaska). last house we sold ,realtor gave us a range and I elected middle ground...$350,500...appraisal came in at $357,
if it doesn't hit appraisal u r screwed.
4. ALWAYS stage the house, I have been doing that for decades.

Couple of questions about the lodge....what is water production,since it will be hosting guests? GPM
is an important factor, Will u have SEPARATE dwelling on property or will u be within the lodge. IF within
the lodge I would suggest speaking to OTHER lodge owners about their experiences....visitors r NOT the
visitors of the past.....thoughtful,polite or patience is usually NOT their demeanor. (I know this because we have gone to Mt. Princeton Resort/lodge and have spoken to staff.....the horror stories r many.

homeagain wrote:
Couple of questions about the lodge....what is water production,since it will be hosting guests? GPM
is an important factor, Will u have SEPARATE dwelling on property or will u be within the lodge. IF within
the lodge I would suggest speaking to OTHER lodge owners about their experiences....visitors r NOT the
visitors of the past.....thoughtful,polite or patience is usually NOT their demeanor. (I know this because we have gone to Mt. Princeton Resort/lodge and have spoken to staff.....the horror stories r many.

There is a large spring above the property that was been reliable for 100 years. There is a two bedroom A-frame and a 4 bedroom, 4 bath cabin that both have kitchens. We would likely live in the A frame and rent out the cabin. There's 9 dry cabins with a shower/bathroom house and a 6 room motel with bathrooms.

The seller has other lodges in the area and just can't operate all of them (this one needs the most work). I'm sure we will be dealing with some idiots for sure, but this lodge has been a local favorite and they were the primary customers when it was open. This place used to be packed with snowmobiles and hunters during the winter, and now UTV's are really popular so there is a big demand by locals.

We may end up just flipping it after we restore it and have a couple years of revenue. There's some great private properties in the area that are very secluded and near rivers or lakes that we would consider if the lodge becomes too much work.

The oh so sad lament of "I had a farm in Africa".......shatters my heart.

I had a home in Alaska,near the majestic peak of Pioneer's. Alto, it was NOT a newer home,it had encircled my heart and hugged me from the moment the realtor opened the lock box and we stepped thru the threshold.

1 acre,but felt like two,cedar sided 2800 sq. ft.,wood paneling,tongue and groove ceiling,wood wainscott
dining area,wood french doors opening onto full deck,cut out ceiling from kitchen to living room(mydogsled
fit PERFECTLY ontop) wood burning stove surrounded by slate,kitchen had a nook,looking outoPioneeer's
peak.....large lawn,with birch and willows trees,a garden and a hot house. BIG SHED in back with room
for 4 o5 cords of wood....it had a transfer switch for generator and we COULD BE OFF GRID.

2 homes (out of 7) have "hugged me".....this one and my first home in Bailey.

Sounds like a dream house I'd want to stay in right now for sure. I could only move back to Alaska if I could convince at least two of my kids to move to the same area... my wife is impatiently waiting for grandkids.

R U GUYS OK? assuming the fire is not in your area.......?????

GOOD that u r ok....... May the New year bring SNOW

SC said "(and with the arsonist that is still out there, we were damn lucky we weren't)."

I must have missed this news. Plus the no safe place anymore statement makes me wonder if there ever was a safe place.