Marshall County

Last week, Chris had to drive down to Lawrenceburg, TN for work. He said the country was beautiful down there. The next day when he got home from work, he got online and started searching the properties for sale down in Marshall County. He ran across one in the price range we were hoping for that had five acres an an old house (built in 1875) and several outbuildings. Google maps told us it was about an hour and twenty minute drive, a bit further than I would like, but my curiosity was piqued. I wanted to see it.

As the younger kids were taking a nap, and Reanna had dance later that evening, Chris and Reanna jumped in the van and headed out. When Chris got back later that even and showed me some photos, I was even more interested. We called our realtor to see if we could go see it over the weekend. We also found a few more properties to look at while we were out that way. One of them Chris was very interested in was a rustic-looking cabin built in 1996. I wasn't so enthused, but told Chris I would try to reserve judgment until we saw the place.

So Sunday morning, we packed the kids in the van and headed out. We have family and friends that live in Marshall County. At least we knew folks down there. What I didn't realize until I consulted a road map on the way there was that the county was rather 'tall', and the properties we were looking at were a good ways past where our friends and family live.

The first one we looked at was the cabin. It was tucked way back in a 'holler.' It was small. The property felt a little cramped, as the bulk of the acreage was wooded hillside that hovered behind the house, and animal pens were crammed around the house. There wasn't much good space for a garden, but at least Finley got to pet and feed a pony.

Next, we drove past a foreclosure. This house sat on top of a hill right next to the road. Nine acres of hillside sloped away from the house and road. The house was a disaster. Some people should not be allowed to attempt home renovations or additions.

Finally, we drove to the property I was really interested in...

Like I said, some people should not attempt home renovations or additions... The door was butchered at some point in the name of safety. (Note the deadbolt in the upper part of this original door. Aack.) The original wooden beadboard walls were covered over with drywall. Nobody bothered to remove the trim first. The addition to the original house was a confusing maze of ugly bathrooms and vinyl floors. The worst part of it all was the roller coaster of a floor, a result of a lack of foundation.

Ultimately, the 5 acres was beautiful, but we would have to build a new house. The addition, obviously, wasn't worth saving, and it would cost too much money to put a foundation under the original part of the house. So unless no one else wants to pay that much for the property and the owners eventually come down off their price about 30 grand, we won't be living there. (sigh)