[Eug]

I want this

[Oisín]

Is ‘bhey’ the Hindi version of ‘ghey’ or something like that?

(Cool house. Want.)

[Doofy]

You trogs.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

You trogs.

You called?

[Doofy]

Technically, Fred and Barney weren't trogs, were they? Been a while since I've seen it.

[Shaddim]

I think I may check this out, looks intriguing.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Technically, Fred and Barney weren't trogs, were they? Been a while since I've seen it.

Modern trog - That's why that house would be perfect.

Fred lives in the fictional prehistoric city of Bedrock, a world where dinosaurs coexist with modernized barefoot cavepeople and the cavepeople enjoy "primitive" versions of modern conveniences such as telephones, automobiles, and washing machines.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Modern trog - That's why that house would be perfect.

Damn sure Fred lived in a house, not a cave.

I'd be tempted to buy that myself, if it wasn't where it is (no thanks IRS!). Severely good for making loud music without bothering neighbours and severely good for defending yourself against the upcoming marauding horde of unemployed persons looking for food (as long as you bricked up half the front). Sweet place.

I've seen some cave homes go for sale in Spain in the past, but they're nowhere near that size - more like large Winnebago size.

[Eug]

Kinda cold though, even in the summer. It's 16 degrees C all year around with geothermal and solar, and it doesn't have a furnace or A/C. That would save heating and A/C costs, but then again it also requires 3 dehumidifiers running 24/7.

[Oisín]

Wait, this thing starts at only $300,000?

I hope they get more for it than that—$300,000 would be a total ripoff, wouldn’t it? Even in Festus, Missouri (where the hell ever that is).

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by Oisín 

Wait, this thing starts at only $300,000?

I hope they get more for it than that—$300,000 would be a total ripoff, wouldn’t it?

I thought just the opposite.
That indoor construction looks very crude.


I don't know what two undeveloped acres out there goes for but I would have guessed the whole estate would be worth about 50-100K less. Its clearly a money pit I don't know that anyone is going to get a deal from buying it.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Captain Caveman

That indoor construction looks very crude.


I don't know what two undeveloped acres out there goes for but I would have guessed the whole estate would be worth about 50-100K less. Its clearly a money pit I don't know that anyone is going to get a deal from buying it.

Basically that looks like an unfinished house. Only the main structures of the walls and floors, as well as stuff like the kitchen, have been completed. However, even if it took another $150000 to finish it, in terms of space that still be worth it IMO.

Considering a nice house around here goes for about CAD$200 (> US$150) per sq. foot for building costs, a 15000 square foot would cost CAD$3 million. Now let's lower the price because there's no basement, and assume we're using lower end materials. With that we're still talking over US$100 per square foot for a basic no-frills house.

At US$450000 for the cave house ($300000 + $150000), that's only US$30 (CAD$38) per sq. foot, and that's for a house that includes geothermal and solar.

Granted I live in a big city, not in Podunk, Missouri, but nonetheless if it sold for $300000 I think it would be reasonable for someone who was gonna live in that area anyway.

[angelmb]

Batman Cave anyone?

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by Eug 

even if it took another $150000 to finish it, in terms of space that still be worth it IMO.

Considering a nice house around here goes for about CAD$200 (> US$150) per sq. foot for building costs, a 15000 square foot would cost CAD$3 million.

At US$450000 for the cave house ($300000 + $150000), that's only US$30 (CAD$38) per sq. foot, and that's for a house that includes geothermal and solar.

Granted I live in a big city, not in Podunk, Missouri, but nonetheless if it sold for $300000 I think it would be reasonable for someone who was gonna live in that area anyway.

There's no point in even bringing up what the average price of housing costs in other areas. 300K won't even buy you a one bedroom condo in my area so I don't see the point of comparing what it would cost in other parts of the country as part of the argument
Plus space in not at a premium out there the way it is in say NYC or even someplace with open areas like greater Las Vegas. The going price per square foot has to be next to nothing in rural MO.

For that area for that property and the condition of that home it doesn't seem like a bargain.



I also question the value of solar and geothermal add ons in a cave home. There would be all sorts of uncommon costs for upkeep and maintenance that wouldn't apply to a normal house. What it would actually run a person to live there is probably a lot more than one would think. In the end it is a novelty house. IF anyone buys it they are doing it because they like the gimmick not because its a good buy.
And I don't think they would walk away with a bargain even at the starting price.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious 

There's no point in even bringing up what the average price of housing costs in other areas. 300K won't even buy you a one bedroom condo in my area so I don't see the point of comparing what it would cost in other parts of the country as part of the argument

For that area for that property and the condition of that home it doesn't seem like a bargain.


I also question the value of solar and geothermal add ons in a cave home. There would be all sorts of uncommon costs for upkeep and maintenance that wouldn't apply to a normal house. What it would actually run a person to live there is probably a lot more than one would think. In the end it is a novelty house. IF anyone buys it they are doing it because they like the gimmick not because its a good buy.

You're missing the point. Building costs are relatively fixed, at least compared to land costs. My US$100 per square foot number for new builds is true even in low cost regions. ie. Try building a decent 2000 square foot there for $100000. You can't (unless you do the actual work yourself). Now trying building a conventional 15000 square foot house anywhere in the US for $450000. You can't do that either.

Now, many may question why anyone would build a 15000 sq ft house in the middle of nowhere, esp. if that area is populated by people who couldn't afford to buy anything like that should you choose to move. However, that's a completely different argument.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Building costs are relatively fixed. My US$100 per square foot number for new builds is true even in low cost regions. ie. Try building a decent 2000 square foot there for $100000. You can't (unless you do the actual work yourself).Now trying building a conventional 15000 square foot house anywhere in the US for $450000. You can't do that either.

In a conventional home I am sure they are. But a lof of this cave's square footage comes from empty areas that doesn't look like they did much more than pour concrete on top of to call part of the livable space.

The main home looks to be relatively free standing and not all that large.

If this is your basic construction base does it really seem like you get that much for your money?

[Doofy]

I think we're under-estimating the amount of tail that thing would attract. It's a cave.

[Eug]

There are now videos on the eBay listing.

-----

A good chunk of a home build's costs come from the cost of building the main structure of course. The structure in this particular case is the cave itself. That's where the cost savings come in.

As for space usage, it's a matter of personal preference. I know people with living rooms over 1000 square feet. Essentially all those are are big empty spaces with broadloom on the floor. Is that a waste of space? Maybe, it sure is pretty damn nice to have such a huge space if you can afford it. One person I know with such a large living room put a baby grand piano in it. Unlike most homes I've seen with baby grands, this one doesn't dominate the room at all... because the room is so huge.

The main home looks to be relatively free standing and not all that large.

It's hard to know for sure, but some of those rooms look huge. I wouldn't be surprised if it was over 3000 sq feet of true living space, not including the other big open spaces and the music stage. (Yes there's a music stage in the place.)

Originally Posted by Doofy 

I think we're under-estimating the amount of tail that thing would attract. It's a cave.

Yes, but as others have pointed out, it's a cave in East Podunk, Hicksville.

That said, if there were a nice lake nearby, it'd make for an uber cool cottage. Not that I'd want a 15000 sq ft cottage though.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Yes, but as others have pointed out, it's a cave in East Podunk, Hicksville.

You pays yer money and takes your choice. 'Tis cheaper than a castle in Tuscany (which would get you lots of Tuscan tail).

[Eug]

How about an East German castle?

200000 Euros for a fixer-upper. You could find some good strong women there.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Eug 

How about an East German castle?

200000 Euros for a fixer-upper.

The Internet and I have different definitions of the word "castle".

[turtle777]

I mean, WTF, Geico should buy it and make a big media spectacle out of it.

-t

[Eug]

The house made the top 20 weirdest homes list.

eg. Sliding house

[King Bob On The Cob]

It's 30 minutes outside of St. Louis.

The drive to a decent sized city would take just as long as going from Staten Island to Manhattan.

Plus, that house is built into the bluffs over looking the Mississippi river (I don't think they'd find the caves elsewhere.) Not a bad view if you ask me.

[rickey939]

That sliding house makes me smile. Very cool.