Subterranean home in Montana.

[Moab]

Crazy.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/169-Brookes-Dr-Rexford-MT-59930/241941674_zpid/

[echo83]

Crazy.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/169-Brookes-Dr-Rexford-MT-59930/241941674_zpid/

That's a new way to say awesome. 

This place is sweet. I know it is, because Mrs. echo83 actually made it halfway through the pictures before shaking her head. Some interesting choices were made, for sure. 

[Lambykins]

Crazy.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/169-Brookes-Dr-Rexford-MT-59930/241941674_zpid/

That is gorgeous! Those floors look awesome and I love the greenhouse!

[Moab]

Crazy.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/169-Brookes-Dr-Rexford-MT-59930/241941674_zpid/

That's a new way to say awesome.

This place is sweet. I know it is, because Mrs. echo83 actually made it halfway through the pictures before shaking her head. Some interesting choices were made, for sure.

Definitely meant crazy in an awesome way! The Price has dropped too. Started at almost 1m. The huge shop is really interesting but has me puzzled. What are it's reasons? Any ideas? Makes me wonder what he had in there? I'm thinking a complete.machine shop for one. 

[Raptor]

Crazy.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/169-Brookes-Dr-Rexford-MT-59930/241941674_zpid/

That's a new way to say awesome.

This place is sweet. I know it is, because Mrs. echo83 actually made it halfway through the pictures before shaking her head. Some interesting choices were made, for sure.

Definitely meant crazy in an awesome way! The Price has dropped too. Started at almost 1m. The huge shop is really interesting but has me puzzled. What are it's reasons? Any ideas? Makes me wonder what he had in there? I'm thinking a complete.machine shop for one.

Simple it has been on the market for 291 days...it is not finished and it has only 7 actres of land in area where 100 acres is consider suburbia.

[Moab]

Crazy.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/169-Brookes-Dr-Rexford-MT-59930/241941674_zpid/

That's a new way to say awesome.

This place is sweet. I know it is, because Mrs. echo83 actually made it halfway through the pictures before shaking her head. Some interesting choices were made, for sure.

Definitely meant crazy in an awesome way! The Price has dropped too. Started at almost 1m. The huge shop is really interesting but has me puzzled. What are it's reasons? Any ideas? Makes me wonder what he had in there? I'm thinking a complete.machine shop for one.

Simple it has been on the market for 291 days...it is not finished and it has only 7 actres of land in area where 100 acres is consider suburbia.

I was planning to live there for a few years now. I know the market pretty well. My cousin has lived in the one town there for most of her life.

You're right about the property size. I was looking for a minimum of 20 acres.

This property listing states it needs some repairs. Until you got to the bottom of that it's not anything you'd want to buy.

But it has several unique attributes. The earth built part makes a lot of sense for that area. Which no one seems to take advantage of. It supplies a very medium temperature year round. And cuts down on heating and cooling costs. And gives you ample space to grow food year around. The shop area is insanely big. And from the listing I can't tell how big that is or if it's included in the 2900 SQ ft. The living space alone looks to take up that much space. And the shop looks every bit 3000 sq ft itself.

It really takes advantage of several building methods that improve it's viability as a bug out location and homestead. I also can't tell if it includes access to the river. If so, that's huge. And makes the price even more attractive. You add water access in that area. And prices increase dramatically. But it's to bad it's not on 20 acres and backed up to state or federal land. But I guess you can't have everything.

My concern is if the repair includes any water leaks or problems with the part covered in earth. That would make it quite a gamble.

This area is coming down in price. I've been watching it for years. And researching past prices. Alot of properties are hitting the market the past few months. It's been high for the area for a few years. But recently prices are coming down. And a glut of properties have hit the market. And many getting reductions. Makes me wonder how many people are about to default. And need to sell. I think it's an indication of prices coming back down to pre COVID levels.

But a very interesting build. From the outside it really looks like a hidden lair. Lol.

[Raptor]

You mentioned repair costs. That is a valid concern. Especially if the earth covered portion was not built properly. 

That brings up the main question who built the structure and what was their skill and experience level.

I was looking at house. It was nice house but clearly the owner was selling due to a lack of funds. I assumed there was deferred maintenance but I figured the inspection would provide me with that data. I kept talking to the owner (if you are selling a house never talk to prospective buyers except through your agent) and she was a chatty Cathy. She described how her husband and brother in law along with some other workers built the house. 

This was in a rural area so getting skilled help was awkward and expensive due to travel time. 

I asked if they were in the construction trades hoping to get a resource in the area. She then they were not licensed but were very skilled. That threw off the house completely. The house had been built by in effect potentially unskilled labor supervised by unskilled overseers. What could possibly go wrong with that?

Any way fast forward. I declined and it was sold a few months later. The inspection turned up significant issues (they always do) with some being real safety issues with wiring and structure. 

The buyers bought it anyway and paid too much since the repairs would up costing an amount equal to ~ 1/3 of the purchase price.

Rural properties are not like suburban homes. There are frequently no building codes or inspections required. When in such an area do not assume that codes are followed. Yes codes are paperwork but many of these codes are in place for safety purposes and are disregarded at your own peril.