Life in Big Canoe, Real Estate in the Mountains

I have a great home! It’s pretty big, 3 bedrooms on the main with level entry and even a big laundry room! My kitchen may not be gourmet, but it sure has fit the bill for some big parties. I have heard that my terrace level is a “man-pit”, with a big bar, pool table, home theater, and luxurious guest quarters.  Sometimes I feel like the luckiest person in Big Canoe to be blessed with such a comfortable home!

BUT (and you knew there was going to be one), yesterday we looked over a Big Canoe foreclosure that made us really think about selling our current home and making an offer on the foreclosure!  A call from another Big Canoe resident curious about the home prompted us to take a look, and my first thought was the old saying, “Location, location, location!”

Among the old hemlocks and giant white pines in the Equestrian area there are nearly 3 heavenly acres with Blackwell Creek running along the boundary of the property.  I didn’t know that Blackwell Creek has small waterfalls, but it does! Someone thought enough about this magnificent lot to provide observation decks and secret paths to provide access to the abundant natural beauty. Hand laid stone paths lead you through this truly usable and magnificent piece of property.  Someone also built an awesome outdoor fire pit on one of the observation decks overlooking the creek.

But wait, there’s more! Aside from the lot, there is also a home that is nestled  perfectly in the hemlocks. It is a modest home in comparison to the lot.  4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, a living room, bonus room,big kitchen, pantry, family room, screened porch, and garage. Any family would be proud to live there if the home had the face lift that it so desperately needs.

The bad and the ugly is that the home appears to be in need of a new roof, new decks, carpet, paint, new master bath, kitchen, and plenty of landscape clean-up. Most of the floors are wide plank pine and they simply need some refinishing. There are a few other cosmetic endeavors that I’ll mention, but cosmetically, the main thing that the house needs is to be aired out and cleaned.

This is a foreclosure – it needs someone with vision to give it the strength to make it shine. In its hey day this may well have been the best home and lot in Big Canoe. It is worthy of wedding ceremonies, and peaceful retreats. The best part about it is that it is only $171K, and the lot is unique.  I’ve never seen one quite like it in Big Canoe.  If you’re into creek lots with small waterfalls, huge white pines and hemlocks, this is your lot.  The worst part is that there is no disclosure, and that you will need to rely heavily on your inspector’s opinion.

In Big Canoe you either have the perfect home or the perfect lot; rarely both. The important thing to remember is that you can change a house but you can’t change the lot. Natural waterfalls rarely have makeovers!! Homes do, and most of the time a nice home on a fabulous lot reflects a lot better than a fabulous home on a nice lot.

Sadly my couch has not provided me with the funds I need to pursue this dreamy property, but I did find my missing lipstick!!! Please feel free to call me for more info on this deal of a lifetime.

~Karin
kelliottiba@tds.net
http://ibamountainhomes.com