By Babs Scherer
•
04 Jul, 2020
In our 2nd/3rd? week now of trying to buy a Amish farm. The offer was accepted almost right away-not much negotiating-exactly what we wanted and knew it was going to go quick. Problem is, they normally don't go on the market. They just pass to the next in the family, or go to a smaller family when they are outgrown....So banks don't know quite what to do with this "under developed" property. The house is there, but without utilities, the barn is there, but ", garage is there - falling down shed - perfect for two buggies and equipment. Nothing is normal. Assessment came back at fourth of cost, "that's normal" our Amish farm expert realtor said. WHAT!!?? But we could see the potential, would the banks, without "seeing" it? There is plenty of farm loans for new farmers - farm loans don't want to touch us, it's not commercially set up. Hhhhmmmm, they have 300 tomato plants which already have green tomatos the size of softballs, while mine are just starting to flower. They seem to be doing just fine non-commercially. Traditional banks turned their noses up at us, a Amish farm??? Turned to our trusty credit union - yes, yeah!!!! BUT..... - they have so many questions, I'm not sure we will get thru them all before our offer times out. Oh, but we can already feel ourselves there!!! This wasn't a spur of the moment decision. It was always on our retirement bucket list. Then on our long term list, then short term, then "what are we waiting for"? We live in the capitol of Ohio, we love the city but hate everything about it. The traffic, the population, the traffic, the lines, the traffic. During the showing, we met in the middle of the gravel! road, as I came from the house and Todd came from the shop across the street - yes, we will own both sides of the road; no neighbors - and unanimously announced "this is it!". "I can breathe", "You can't see another soul" we whispered excitedly. Nonchalantly, we told the realtor we would think about it. That lasted about 1 hour- halfway home we called her back "we want it!" On our second visit, still knew this was meant to be, but started realizing costs of adding utilities, and all the discrepancies of the listing and the actual farm. Next: Realities we may have overlooked on purpose; The double garage IS the falling down (but picturesque) barn with 2 spaces (buggy sized).