Just Bought 20 Acres!

[Aeolius]

In less than a week my latest find, 20 acres of pastures, woods, and creeks, will be mine. Take a gander at www.aeolius.com, for some footage of the land. I have been looking over a myriad of websites with house plans, talking with a few architects, and interviewing a handful of builders.

Now I am investigating how best to create a smart house. It seems my options include Xtension, Indigo, Shell Home Genie, and Thinking Home. I want home automation to include lights, thermostats, and a motorized door or two, as my son uses a wheelchair. I may also try to incorporate a video multiplexer, to view several outdoor cameras placed around the property.

I am also considering a "hot spot" wireless access point, such as one offered by d-link, to extend wireless networking over the entire property.

Any ideas?

[jsw]

Congratulations!

I've followed your comments in other threads and am happy for you! Since you're building, I'd strongly recommend a couple of things:


wireless is great - but not reliable. use wire where you can. which is everywhere since you're building. use wireless for the outside and for laptops.
when in doubt, run cable. or at least run PVC duct or something similar to make fishing new cable you never thought you'd need for the automated blinds you didn't think you'd want easier in three years when you change your mind
the house across the street from me has what can best be described as two tubes going up the middle of it (sort of off center of the house, one on each side of centerline), sort of like empty elevator shafts. they aren't big, but they allow access to all the electrical, network, and cable wiring, as well as the water, from two convenient spots. there are ladders in them. quite cool, and a great idea. of course, wiring goes to the outer walls from there, but it's a no-brainer to bring new lines to various floors
it's a safe bet you'll change your mind after you build the house as to what system to use. if you design it to make it easy to re-cable, you'll be ahead of the game - for very little additional cost
an up-and-coming big thing is automated window shades. don't need to put them in now. but allow for power and control lines to any windows where you'd want them.
a video multiplexor is a good idea, but what about multiple wired webcam feeds to a cheap PC? easier to monitor your house when away.


Hey, best of luck. I wish I was in your situation!

[iJon]

well let me come out there with my jeep then i will give you some cool ideas :D

iJon

[Aeolius]

well let me come out there with my jeep then i will give you some cool ideas

Two of the quickime movies at the site above were done on my 4x4 polaris ranger at night, in IR mode. Turn the volume up and you'll hear my kids screaming ;)

[pivo6]

Looks nice, where is this located?

[Aeolius]

Looks nice, where is this located?

Northern central North Carolina, near Greensboro.

[MacDawg]

Congratulations!
I'm jealous!

Nothing like seeing dreams come true...

[edesignuk]

Looks amazing, 20 acres! :cool: Good luck to you.

[Mr. Anderson]

where is this located? you have a satellite image of the area?

I just bought a house and got a pic online of it from space at .5 m res - neat stuff :D

D

[krimson]

i smell flood zone.... ;)
sorry, that's work slipping in.

Congratulations!!! :) :) :)

edit: oh, very nice alpacas!

[edesignuk]

where is this located?
Northern central North Carolina, near Greensboro.
;) :)

[gwuMACaddict]

you have alpacas?

i dont know why but that really struck me as funny- thats not common in NC, is it?

[themadchemist]

you have alpacas?

i dont know why but that really struck me as funny- thats not common in NC, is it?

I haven't seen any, that's for sure. But there are actually some llama farms or something. Is that what we're talking about here?

Anyway, awesome property aeolius. You'll have to keep us posted on further developments regarding your plans & construction.

I like your idea of wireless access across the campus (which is what you get to call your property since it's so frikin' huge). Could there be anything better than sitting amidst a patch of wilderness with a 17" PB posting to MacRumors? That's right, there couldn't, unless you happened to have a PB G5 while sitting admist a patch of wilderness posting to MacRumors.

[Aeolius]

An update: I close on the land tomorrow, after clearing up a bit of a snag regarding a half-trust in an undeeded driveway.

Also, one of my potential neighbors, a woman renting six acres next to my new land, killed herself a few days ago. I found this out by driving by the land and seeing a "SLOW - FUNERAL" sign in the yard.

[18thTomorrow]

That is so great! About a year ago my parents bought 12 acres in a rural community, yet less than 20 minutes from our mid-sized city. It's beautiful land--in fact, I went out there yesterday. It has a pond, 4 acres of alfalfa, and 7 are in beautiful, golden wheat right now. They begin construction on the house in two weeks!

[wdlove]

You definitely have an awesome opportunity ahead of you. I did own 10 acres of land for a couple of years, but had to sell because I left the area. My thought would be is try looking into an earth shelter or definitely solar power. That was my plan. Is there plenty of water on the property? Any plans for faming or cattle?

Good luck on your upcoming endeavor.

[JesseJames]

Here's an idea for a really "green" home.

www.mkarchitecture.com

Check out their Glide House design. It's got integrated solar power and I bet it could be modified for geothermal heating and cooling making it practically self-sufficient.
If I had the money I'd go for one.

[MongoTheGeek]

Here's an idea for a really "green" home.

www.mkarchitecture.com

Check out their Glide House design. It's got integrated solar power and I bet it could be modified for geothermal heating and cooling making it practically self-sufficient.
If I had the money I'd go for one.

Cool.

I always loved this idea...

http://www.monolithic.com/gallery/homes/index.html

Imagine all of the strengths of a geodesic house with 0 chance of leaking and no real need to heat or cool.

[ratspg]

congrats on such a cool purchase! :) hope it is well used!

how much does 20 acres cost!??? i wonder what that cost

[davecuse]

Congrats on the purchase, as you are building the place I would definitely recommend that you allow for plenty of future expansion. If you allowed for something like JSW's neighbor has I think you'd be really happy with the opportunity to add new tech toys in the future.

Wireless is great if you are retrofitting an older home, but if you are building I would definitely wire everything! Allow for wireless roaming around your house, but you're going to want to have things hard wired for better performance and reliability.

Google "X10", I've looked into setting up my house with this, it's the standard for automating your home. All you need to do is run 1 extra wire to all your switches, windows, exterior doors, basically anything that you would want to automate or monitor. Once it's wired you can set the whole house up to be monitered from a PDA while you're away or your computer at work. Even if you're not going to set it up right away, allow for expansion.

[Aeolius]

I updated the overhead shot of "The Land" to include an image map which links to more detailed images.

[blackfox]

Aeolius,I do not know what your ideas/wants are for your house, nor the amount of money you are able to spend, but I would humbly suggest pre-fab architecture.

It has actually come a long way in the past few years, and allows for pretty drastically decreased building costs, as well as a great amount of flexibility.
Dwell Magazine (one of my favorites), recently held a contest for architecture firms to design an innovative house for under $200K. The results were quite impressive.

The eventual winner, Resolution: 4, created a concept called Modern Modular which is based on pre-fabricated, easy-to-transport modular units, which are craned onto a site-built concrete foundation, and then finishing elements added on site, all for practicality and cost-savings. The modules themselves can be configured in limitless ways.

This savings and flexibility can be channeled into many unique (and otherwise too expensive) design choices, interior and out.

Just an idea...there are many good pre-fab designers and architects out there...FWIW

BTW, Nice purchase.

[davecuse]

I just had a chance to check out your videos, looks just like what my dad did before he renovated an old farm house. You're gonna love watching those when it's all done!

[Aeolius]

Here's an update:

My wife and I consulted with an architect and, after six or ten major revisions, have gotten the house to a size we can afford. We have big the project out to three builders, who are now working on their proposals. It was difficult designing a house that had an "old farmhouse" look to it, while still making room for modern amenities and handicap accessibility (elevator, wider halls and doorways, roll-in shower, etc).

If you'd like to see the neighbors in my backyard, take a gander at http://www.aeolius.com/deercam/

Next week, Time-Warner runs cable out to a travel trailer that I'm keeping on the land. I intend to play around with a wireless network and some outdoor network cameras, as time permits.

[stubeeef]

Here's an update:

My wife and I consulted with an architect and, after six or ten major revisions, have gotten the house to a size we can afford. We have big the project out to three builders, who are now working on their proposals. It was difficult designing a house that had an "old farmhouse" look to it, while still making room for modern amenities and handicap accessibility (elevator, wider halls and doorways, roll-in shower, etc).

If you'd like to see the neighbors in my backyard, take a gander at http://www.aeolius.com/deercam/

Next week, Time-Warner runs cable out to a travel trailer that I'm keeping on the land. I intend to play around with a wireless network and some outdoor network cameras, as time permits.

Hey I live near, I wish I had known of this thread a ways back, there is a great conference everyyear in Asheville, the SE energy conference. Lots of great contractors and tech to not only get a smart one, but efficent also.
here is a link (http://www.seeexpo.com/)

Also if you are interested NC State has an awesome ongoing program here (http://www.ee.enr.state.nc.us/EECenters/eecSolarCenterNCSU.htm) not just solar though, they are a great resource for tax credits as well. And with that much land, you must use a geothermal heat pump!

PM me if you need more or want to talk on the phone. I just built a house nearby, didn't get to use the technology I wanted but got a good edu on it.

[wdlove]

Here's an update:

My wife and I consulted with an architect and, after six or ten major revisions, have gotten the house to a size we can afford. We have big the project out to three builders, who are now working on their proposals. It was difficult designing a house that had an "old farmhouse" look to it, while still making room for modern amenities and handicap accessibility (elevator, wider halls and doorways, roll-in shower, etc).

If you'd like to see the neighbors in my backyard, take a gander at http://www.aeolius.com/deercam/

Next week, Time-Warner runs cable out to a travel trailer that I'm keeping on the land. I intend to play around with a wireless network and some outdoor network cameras, as time permits.

That deer cam is lonely, definitely can't say that you are alone. :D Very happy to see that your plans are working out.

[Aeolius]

Update:

House plans we are considering are at www.aeolius.com/house . It's down to the original plan vs. the Verandas, now. I am 95% satisfied with the "Venture", but am speaking with the designers of the Veranda on Tuesday, just in case. I modified the Venture to have a smaller garage, playroom on the 2nd floor (previously, it was open to below) and 2 unfinished areas in the basement. The Verandas would be modified, as well ( www.aeolius.com/house/veranda.html ).

Look how many deer pics I got in one night last week at www.aeolius.com/deercam2

Does anyone know a decent home architect program for OS X? I am tired of using Virtual PC for that.

[mactastic]

Try VectorWorks.

[JamesSykes]

Man owning 20 acres has gotta be pretty amazing :)

Love the lake :) Looks big enough to do a bit of small dingy sailing :)

[virividox]

congratulations!!! beautiful land

[VincentVega]

Very nice! Had some fun exploring your website.

Enjoy!

[MacFan782040]

ahhh... jsut so you know that is like my dream house/land. I would die to live there. All that open land and a llama pasture, and the creek and lake all in NC! Dude, your lucky.

Anyway... can u tell me what music you used on the "land5" video? Thanks!

[jsw]

I would die to live there.
:D

[parrothead]

I would love to get some land like that sometime. My wife and I really like the cabins you can order from www.wildernesscabin.com. There are some nice, affordable places in there. Also, if you want to go fancy try www.nevilog.com
They have some incredible places on their site.

[greenmeanie]

the deer are being evicted :(
we need to stop building homes and saving the land.

[Aeolius]

the deer are being evicted :(
we need to stop building homes and saving the land.

Actually, I feed the deer several times a week. I don't want them to go anywhere.

One house (and a few outbuildings) on 20 acres isn't too stressful on the critters, I would hope. And I'm building the house on a site currently occupied by a collapsing barn, so the impact will be minimal. My neighbor is building a single family residence on 30 acres.

[Aeolius]

revised house plans HERE (http://www.aeolius.com/house.html)

[davecuse]

The plans for your place look amazing, hope that it serves you well for years to come, and the best of luck to you.

[MacFan25863]

Thats fricken amazing dude! Now all you need is an iMac G5 in every room hooked up to an xServe server farm in the basement with a fiber optic connection to the net, plus a few Powerbooks for mobile entertainment. Oh, and you can't forget the Dual 2.5 GHz G5 in the office, along with dual 30s. Perhaps a theatre with a G5 serving as a HTPC?

hahaha...you'll end up spending more on computers than the house :D

[echozoom]

Congratulations on your purchase! I don't know if it is too late or you are already doing this, but if not, you might want to consider having the bedroom for the person in a wheelchair on the main floor for easy access and if there was ever an emergency or power outage.

[relimw]

Congrats on the land and house :)

I've actually been looking for the last six months for about the same type of property in SC (Greenville area). We have come to the conclusion there is no other way than to do it, but to buy the land and build. Unfortunately, prices are fairly high per acre around here...

[Aeolius]

I've actually been looking for the last six months for about the same type of property in SC (Greenville area).

My wife still lived in Greenville, SC (her hometown) when we met on AOL.

[dotdotdot]

Thats fricken amazing dude! Now all you need is an iMac G5 in every room hooked up to an xServe server farm in the basement with a fiber optic connection to the net, plus a few Powerbooks for mobile entertainment. Oh, and you can't forget the Dual 2.5 GHz G5 in the office, along with dual 30s. Perhaps a theatre with a G5 serving as a HTPC?

hahaha...you'll end up spending more on computers than the house :D

Make one entire room dedicated to servers, etc.

Dual 2.5 PM w/ OSX Server controlling your wired network, which leads to a wireless network w/ airport expresses put into the walls so they don't stick out and they extend the range... ahh, heaven.

And if I lived in that house, I can't even imagine. You are so lucky!!

Congrats on the place

[Aeolius]

Some updated construction photos HERE (http://www.aeolius.com/aughouse/)
http://www.aeolius.com/aughouse/aughouse-Images/26.jpg

[mpw]

There's an acre for sale here for ~$1,800,000.00 if you fancy down-sizing at anytime.

[SpaceMagic]

There's an acre for sale here for ~$1,800,000.00 if you fancy down-sizing at anytime.

I didn't think Jersey was an acre big :eek:


:p ;)

[Lacero]

I own 20 acres in downtown NY. I don't know how much the real estate is going for though.

[----Bowie----]

revised house plans HERE (http://www.aeolius.com/house.html)


Thats a beautiful home! I like the look of it and the floor plan is great. I wish you lots of luck and happiness in your new home.

[maya]

I love the amount of space: 20 acres. :)

Don't like big houses, and this is a double story house plan.

Why not build a bungalow style with the same sq ft for the house plans?

Love the wild life and all, and best of luck with the on going construction. :)

[Aeolius]

Why not build a bungalow style with the same sq ft for the house plans?


Cheaper to build Up than OUT. Less roof, foundation, etc. Plus, you'd get worn out walking around a 1-level house that size. ;)

[wdlove]

Cheaper to build Up than OUT. Less roof, foundation, etc. Plus, you'd get worn out walking around a 1-level house that size. ;)

Very nice pictures Aeolius, thank you for sharing. I'm sure that the progress is very heartwarming.
;)

[Abstract]

I own 20 acres in downtown NY. I don't know how much the real estate is going for though.
Okay, now I know how you make those millions each year...

The real estate market is going down soon, so if you're going to sell, now's the time.

[Abstract]

Because nobody wants to live on a 20 acre lot and have a 5 storey house that looks like a small apartment complex. :p

Spread out is kool.

[Aeolius]

Because nobody wants to live on a 20 acre lot and have a 5 storey house that looks like a small apartment complex.

fair enough ;)

It's 3 stories (including basement). The first floor is 3,885 sq. ft., if that's spread out enough. :)
http://www.aeolius.com/images/h2frontl.jpg

[mad jew]

The first floor is 3,885 sq. ft., if that's spread out enough.


What's that? Like, three AirPorts? :cool:

[Lacero]

When its built, all the MR members should come by for a housewarming party. Wouldn't that be fun. :D

[w_parietti22]

fair enough ;)

It's 3 stories (including basement). The first floor is 3,885 sq. ft., if that's spread out enough. :)
http://www.aeolius.com/images/h2frontl.jpg

:eek: They first floor is about 800 sq ft. more than my entire house... including the finished basement!!!!

[Abstract]

^^Um.....no, the first floor is 3885 sq. ft.

fair enough ;)

It's 3 stories (including basement). The first floor is 3,885 sq. ft., if that's spread out enough. :)
http://www.aeolius.com/images/h2frontl.jpg

So that's what you meant before when you said that you were trying to reduce the size to something you can afford? It must be 8000 sq. ft. right now! How big was your house in the original plan?

[Aeolius]

What's that? Like, three AirPorts?

Ever seen one of THESE (http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=303) ? In theory, that should provide wireless access to the whole property.

[mad jew]

112 metres at 54Mbps outdoors! :eek:

[SilvorX]

someone has money!
nice though, i miss living in a rural area surrounded by trees, farmland, etc, reminds me of home..

[Abstract]

112 metres at 54Mbps outdoors! :eek:

I think I can still pick up his wireless network all the way in Australia. NICE!!

[Aeolius]

I just read another "house" thread, so I thought I'd post an UPDATE (http://www.aeolius.com/house/)

[Mr. Anderson]

I just read another "house" thread, so I thought I'd post an UPDATE (http://www.aeolius.com/house/)


That's a huge house, but that's also a lot of lawn to mow :D

So how many kids do you have? And when do you plan on getting the thing finished?

D

[Aeolius]

So how many kids do you have? And when do you plan on getting the thing finished?

By the time the house is finished, in theory next May-June, we'll have 4 children, as we are in the process of adopting a little girl from China.

[Mr. Anderson]

By the time the house is finished, in theory next May-June, we'll have 4 children, as we are in the process of adopting a little girl from China.


very cool - well, you'll need the room, that's for sure. How many sqft is that thing, though? And are you going to get one of those zero-turn-radius mowers for the lawn?

D

[Aeolius]

very cool - well, you'll need the room, that's for sure. How many sqft is that thing, though? And are you going to get one of those zero-turn-radius mowers for the lawn?

It'll be around 7,300 sq. ft. of finished space, not counting unfinished space in the basement (future fish room), second floor (future home theater and guest room), and attic (where I'll throw my 7-year old daughter when she turns 16).

As far as lawnmowers go, I have horses and a donkey in the front pasture, and 2 alpacas in the back pasture. ;) I do have a ZTR, which does take some getting used to, even after years of playing Battlezone.

The obligatory November UPDATE (http://www.aeolius.com/novhouse/)

[sushi]

I own 20 acres in downtown NY. I don't know how much the real estate is going for though.
Where at?

[w_parietti22]

^^Um.....no, the first floor is 3885 sq. ft.

lol... thats what I'm saying. The first flor is 3885sq ft... my 3 floor home is 3000 sq ft. the first floor is bigger than my house by more than 800 sq ft.

The house is really starting to come together! looks great. I love the plan you picked. :)

[sushi]

lol... thats what I'm saying. The first flor is 3885sq ft... my 3 floor home is 3000 sq ft. the first floor is bigger than my house by more than 800 sq ft.
My wife and I were looking at apartment places in Tokyo a couple weeks ago.

We saw a couple of places with about 400 square feet for around $500,000 to $700,000.

Yikes!

Sushi

[Aeolius]

My wife and I were looking at apartment places in Tokyo a couple weeks ago.

We're heading to China in under two weeks. They will have to keep me medicated, due to my larger than average personal space. ;)

[sushi]

We're heading to China in under two weeks. They will have to keep me medicated, due to my larger than average personal space. ;)
Probably some industrial strength medication judging from your wonderful new home design! :D

We even found a small place (about 270 square feet) for around $260,000.

For me, the big thing is a view. I can live like a sardine as long as I can look out at something. In many places, houses are about 1 to 1.5 feet apart. Basically you look out at your neighbors house/wall -- and you can touch it if you want! ;)

With the older generation getting ready to retire, many of them want to move near a train station for convenience. So they sell their land to developers in many cases. The developers routinely put in 3 homes where one home and a small yard existed before.

My wife and i have come up with a nickname for these vary narrow homes. We call them Domino Homes! As in they look like dominos on edge.

Heck one place we saw, from the second floor you could look down into the neighbors kitchen area via their skylights. Yuck!

Sushi

[Aeolius]

... Basically you look out at your neighbors house/wall -- and you can touch it if you want!... Heck one place we saw, from the second floor you could look down into the neighbors kitchen area via their skylights.

"This is what happens when you leave home. You meet... people." - Phileas Fogg, "Around the World in 80 Days" (2004)

"He loved the world, except for all the people." - Dr Heckle and Mr. Jive, Men At Work

[Mord]

i want to do something like that latter on, it fits with my general life plan of:

go to uni and get pilots license>earn a **** load of money>buy land build runway buy plane>earn **** loads more money> build house next to run way> retire.

as a life plan i cant think of a better one.

[Apple]

Hey I live near, I wish I had known of this thread a ways back, there is a great conference everyyear in Asheville, the SE energy conference. Lots of great contractors and tech to not only get a smart one, but efficent also.
here is a link (http://www.seeexpo.com/)

Also if you are interested NC State has an awesome ongoing program here (http://www.ee.enr.state.nc.us/EECenters/eecSolarCenterNCSU.htm) not just solar though, they are a great resource for tax credits as well. And with that much land, you must use a geothermal heat pump!

PM me if you need more or want to talk on the phone. I just built a house nearby, didn't get to use the technology I wanted but got a good edu on it.

I also live near on lake norman, and we are in the process of getting some land. What did you use? Just a realtor or do you have any secrets?

[sushi]

Just for fun, I scanned a floor diagram for a 300 square foot place.

Cost is around $260,000.

This apartment building has no parking. So you would have to find alternate parking for your vehicle. Commercial parking lots in this area are around $800 to $1,000 per month for a medium sized car.

A lady I knew just had to have a new VW Bug. Cool Car. But she could not afford the parking. She ended up finding a place about an hour away by train for $400 per month. She was very happy to find a place so close and cheap. Yikes!

Sushi

[Aeolius]

The obligatory update
http://www.aeolius.com/house/