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Wow! I've been dabbling in real estate investment as a potential escape hatch from tech and I'd love to hear more about this!

detourdog 4y ago
What can I say. I bought an old school house around 2 miles from my house spent a fortune turning into a mixed use building. Each classroom is a studio apartment. I had a fiber line installed. I guess the only thing I can say is that 8 units was a magic number for me. The idea is that if one should pay about 25% as rent. 8 units represent 200% of the average income of my town. The downside is that all the serious building code laws start above 5 units. This means I must comply with ADA, Fire protection, and many others. I don't resent this. They all seem like fair if costly rules. I prefer a single building to multiple smaller units. A single building helps me focus and I only have one location to be at besides home. view.cogs.com
- cushychicken 4y ago
  That's a neat old building. You're in a cool corner of MA, too. I love North Adams.
  - detourdog 4y ago
    I love it here stop by next time you are around.
    - detourdog 4y ago
      The distinguishing features between 5 and 8 from my point of view. Windows are not ventilation. Ventilation must be measured so mechanical ventilation is required. Guaranteed mechanical ventilation ensures a certain quality of life. Sprinkler system is required for a building made out of brick and has no furnace or gas appliances. The reasoning is egress. The Sprinkler is the worst part because I installed a mechanical thing that could flood to help in case there is fire. Vertical lift to connect 2 hallways with a 4' height difference. This maybe Massachusetts specific but... When I was shopping for the vertical lift if I lived 15 west in New York State or a mile north in Vermont. I could purchased a used unit on ebay for under $7,000 and wheeled it into place. Massachusetts requirements ended costing $40,000 and every 2 years around $2,000 for inspections. All units need to accommodate modifications for ADA compliance. Meaning that don't need to be equipped but they must able to be retrofitted. Do your research nothing can be considered logical or straight forward. Everything sounds crazy but it is a responsibility to provide shelter to others and most things are valid if costly.
      - detourdog 4y ago
        Here should be around 4,000 photos from start to current. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd
- bombcar 4y ago
  For those considering something like this, that 5 unit thing is a real bar to cross, which is why small buildings above 5 are so rare; once you cross the line many of the hassles are the same price if you have 8 units or 80.
- emmelaich 4y ago
  That looks like an excellent place for a small company offsite weekend. Or week.
  - detourdog 4y ago
    Yes, I’m trying to figure out how best to use it.
    - detourdog 4y ago
      I guess I'm trying to start a hacker design community. My interest is trying to fabricate sophisticated laminates using a CNC and vacuum infusion. Ideally the other 7 units would be occupied by other HN readers that want to be able to walk to the Appalachian trail or a couple of art museums. massmoca.org clarkart.edu The building has a fiber line and 5 static IPs. Almost net zero and proof that air-sourced heat pumps work in New England even if the rooms have 44% glazing on 1 wall.
- ravagat 4y ago
  I drove by your building a few years ago and thought it looked great amidst the scenery. I like that you were able to convert it, thanks for sharing
  - detourdog 4y ago
    Must have been lost. Next you are in the neighborhood stop by. I'm on the corner of 2 roads that lead no-where and has no stop signs.
    - ravagat 4y ago
      Yes I was, best part of that drive. Saw more than I expected. Will do, thanks for the invite
      - detourdog 4y ago
        It's really weird when that happens. I one time was driving to visit colleges in Maine. In the mountains 3 hours from any ocean was 100 year old 40ish foot wooden Ketch. I of course was the only one that noticed the boat. About a month later a friend sent me a video of guys pouring a wooden keel in western Mass. Lo behold they were using the boat I saw for a new boat they were building. Here is there effort https://www.acorntoarabella.com https://www.acorntoarabella.com

detourdog 4y ago

What can I say. I bought an old school house around 2 miles from my house spent a fortune turning into a mixed use building. Each classroom is a studio apartment. I had a fiber line installed. I guess the only thing I can say is that 8 units was a magic number for me. The idea is that if one should pay about 25% as rent. 8 units represent 200% of the average income of my town. The downside is that all the serious building code laws start above 5 units. This means I must comply with ADA, Fire protection, and many others. I don't resent this. They all seem like fair if costly rules. I prefer a single building to multiple smaller units. A single building helps me focus and I only have one location to be at besides home. view.cogs.com

cushychicken 4y ago
That's a neat old building. You're in a cool corner of MA, too. I love North Adams.
- detourdog 4y ago
  I love it here stop by next time you are around.
  - detourdog 4y ago
    The distinguishing features between 5 and 8 from my point of view. Windows are not ventilation. Ventilation must be measured so mechanical ventilation is required. Guaranteed mechanical ventilation ensures a certain quality of life. Sprinkler system is required for a building made out of brick and has no furnace or gas appliances. The reasoning is egress. The Sprinkler is the worst part because I installed a mechanical thing that could flood to help in case there is fire. Vertical lift to connect 2 hallways with a 4' height difference. This maybe Massachusetts specific but... When I was shopping for the vertical lift if I lived 15 west in New York State or a mile north in Vermont. I could purchased a used unit on ebay for under $7,000 and wheeled it into place. Massachusetts requirements ended costing $40,000 and every 2 years around $2,000 for inspections. All units need to accommodate modifications for ADA compliance. Meaning that don't need to be equipped but they must able to be retrofitted. Do your research nothing can be considered logical or straight forward. Everything sounds crazy but it is a responsibility to provide shelter to others and most things are valid if costly.
    - detourdog 4y ago
      Here should be around 4,000 photos from start to current. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd
bombcar 4y ago
For those considering something like this, that 5 unit thing is a real bar to cross, which is why small buildings above 5 are so rare; once you cross the line many of the hassles are the same price if you have 8 units or 80.
emmelaich 4y ago
That looks like an excellent place for a small company offsite weekend. Or week.
- detourdog 4y ago
  Yes, I’m trying to figure out how best to use it.
  - detourdog 4y ago
    I guess I'm trying to start a hacker design community. My interest is trying to fabricate sophisticated laminates using a CNC and vacuum infusion. Ideally the other 7 units would be occupied by other HN readers that want to be able to walk to the Appalachian trail or a couple of art museums. massmoca.org clarkart.edu The building has a fiber line and 5 static IPs. Almost net zero and proof that air-sourced heat pumps work in New England even if the rooms have 44% glazing on 1 wall.
ravagat 4y ago
I drove by your building a few years ago and thought it looked great amidst the scenery. I like that you were able to convert it, thanks for sharing
- detourdog 4y ago
  Must have been lost. Next you are in the neighborhood stop by. I'm on the corner of 2 roads that lead no-where and has no stop signs.
  - ravagat 4y ago
    Yes I was, best part of that drive. Saw more than I expected. Will do, thanks for the invite
    - detourdog 4y ago
      It's really weird when that happens. I one time was driving to visit colleges in Maine. In the mountains 3 hours from any ocean was 100 year old 40ish foot wooden Ketch. I of course was the only one that noticed the boat. About a month later a friend sent me a video of guys pouring a wooden keel in western Mass. Lo behold they were using the boat I saw for a new boat they were building. Here is there effort https://www.acorntoarabella.com https://www.acorntoarabella.com