Farmhouse #9 on the Market -

Well, it was just over a year ago that I finished this house - as it turned out, one of the most popular designs we ever came up with - so much in fact that I had to start saying no to prospective homeowners who just had to have this design - my god, it's not the only nice farmhouse in our portfolio. I think people really love the porches. The problem with this house is that, according the homeowners, this house sucked - and here we are now, browsing one of the most glowing reviews of a house one can come by - Check it out below -

"We fell in love with this absolutely charming home. Modeled after an English Country Cottage this cedar sided 2-story home sits on 4+ private acres. The property itself is just wonderful combining a forest landscape with a rolling pasture bordered by a pristine mountain creek. Situated to take advantage of the position of the sun the owners have built an enclosed garden with reclaimed hinges and copper finials...charming...charming. The home starts off with a large front porch. The interior is so impressive. The well-thought out floor plan encompasses functionality as well as character and charm, including high ceilings, wide-plank wood floors, crown moldings and schoolhouse electric fixtures. The brick fireplace is the main focus of the large living room. Real barn beams divide the living room from the formal dining room/playroom. The large eat-in- country kitchen has a wonderfully uncluttered appeal. A separate pantry with barn doors accommodates kitchen overflow. There’s a half bath off the kitchen and a rear door that opens to an oversized screened-in wraparound covered deck. The 2nd level has a master bedroom suite with full bathroom. There are 2 large additional guest bedrooms and another full bathroom. There is a walk-out full basement, again with high ceilings. The heating system is propane hot water and is extremely efficient. The home is alarmed for heat as well as for safety. This is the kind of home that is best viewed in person. .Pure Country Charm and Elegance... A must see. MLS #26146"

I just have to wonder how bad a house can be if the owners are listing the house at a price 20% higher than they paid, after a year of the most dismal declines in housing values ever. But mostly, shouldn't all those deficiencies I've been hearing about for a year be disclosed to the new buyers?

Anyway, I've always thought it was a great house - not perfect, but really great. And by the price the homeowners are asking, I guess they couldn't agree more.

It's not really any of my business, but a $360k-$390k price is probably more doable. And if it was listed with Catskill Farms Realty (which doesn't exist yet), we could have it sold in no time.

The most quirky thing about satisfaction, -be it with art, houses, wives, or life in general, - is that it is all about perception. One man's perfection is another's disaster, one man's happy place is another's hellhole - as a builder, a truer thought has never been thunk, and navigating this truism is always a challenge.

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