Coastal Issues?

[Logcurious]

Good day- so happy to have found this forum. We have been longly eyeing a log cabin on the Intracoastal waterway in NC. The cabin was built in the 80s and as complete novices we would love to hear from the experts if they would ever buy a log home on the cusp of the ocean like this. One captain warned us away that ocean air and log cabins do not mix. Thoughts?

If we make it past that hurdle, the interior needs renovations - particularly the bathrooms and the master bedroom is an open loft over the main living area. How difficult, costly would renovations within a log cabin be? We are just working class folks and have done many renovations and work in our other homes, but hate to get in over our heads and regret it. I know there is no crystal ball, just would REALLY value your expert opinions - thanks in advance!

[Logcurious]

1980s, I should have said :)

[Scoutman]

Is it a "LOG" cabin or a kit home?

[rckclmbr428]

what wood species is it? some wood doesnt last in the best of conditions, other wood will last for years in the worst of conditions. I keep telling myself I want to build a big log home on the beach to rent, I just havent been able to pony up the 400k for a lot.. ha ha

[Logcurious]

I am not sire and will ask the realtor- see how much we do not know! I cannot post a picture but this is a link to the listing: http://wrar.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=wilmington&PRGNAME=MLSPropertyDetail

I have no idea if you can tell those answers from looking at the home. Any other key items I should b eon the lookout for? I do know the current owner has had to replace a few logs in the house. And my husband is concerned as they have a geo-thermal unit in the teeny crawl space, so it was dripping wet under the house. Of course, I said we can hire professionals to help us and make changes - but again do not want to get in over my head. It would seem a log home structurally would be great near the sea for withstanding storms, etc. just concerned how the water, salt affects the logs and also how hard it is to renovate interiors, such as closing off a room, replacing bathroom stuff, adding phone lines etc. I will find out about "kit" or not and also what kind of logs and really appreciate your responding!

[Logcurious]

Sorry that link doesn't seem to work when I click from here, but this one should: http://www.intracoastalrealty.com/idx/search/details.aspx?key=11adaca2-5439-4cc2-ba6d-68ce9443bbcb&method=standard&mlsnum=459555&type=10%7C70%7C80&currentpage=1&sort=price;desc&showimages=True&numperpage=25&returnbannerinfo=False&pricechangeddays=30&resultsdisplaytype=50&detailsdisplaytype=50

[Scoutman]

The link doesn't work.

[rocklock]

You just said the magic word - WET!
I live on two islands... I am building a log home about 1/4 mile from the sound in Washington. Sea air should not effect logs like it effects steel. However, there are some principles that need to be addressed.

Principle number one, keep the logs dry. Wet equals rot, simple but true.
We can talk about log type, roof over hang and lots of other stuff, but I would stay far far away from wet... Do not walk - RUN...

[Logcurious]

I tried to post a corrected link, but it needs Admin approval, will try again: http://www.intracoastalrealty.com/idx/search/details.aspx?key=11adaca2-5439-4cc2-ba6d-68ce9443bbcb&method=standard&mlsnum=459555&type=10%7C70%7C80&currentpage=1&sort=price;desc&showimages=True&numperpage=25&returnbannerinfo=False&pricechangeddays=30&resultsdisplaytype=50&detailsdisplaytype=50

My husband said, Yes, I did run- thanks Rocklock.
I keep staring back, thinking we could remove that unit or fix it, but again do not want to romanticize what will turn into a real mess. Thanks again- this is an awesome forum. Anyone in Wilmington NC area that consults? Thank you again, I value every word!

[Logcurious]

My additional posts need to be approved by the moderator, I keep trying to post a corrected link: http://www.intracoastalrealty.com/idx/search/details.aspx?key=11adaca2-5439-4cc2-ba6d-68ce9443bbcb&method=standard&mlsnum=459555&type=10%7C70%7C80&currentpage=1&sort=price;desc&showimages=True&numperpage=25&returnbannerinfo=False&pricechangeddays=30&resultsdisplaytype=50&detailsdisplaytype=50

Last try :)

Also many thanks, my husband agrees with the RUN advice, much to my broken heart. Anyone of you in or know of a good pro in the Wilmington NC area that would consult? Thanks again- hope this post gets through!

[Timberwolf]

Replace a few logs? Run faster!!

[Scoutman]

I'm no expert but I see many problems in the pics.

[Logcurious]

Excellent, well not but I really appreciate the info. I did find out the following, not sure if it changes anything (ever the optimist, you see what my husband is facing):

1) The wood of the logs is pine; (Is Pine on the good list or another RUN item?)
2) it is a real log home, not a kit. There were different models from Real Log Homes.

[Cruiser]

Looks like mold on the lower 1/3 of the wall in several pictures. Probably from the wet conditions in the crawl space. Run and never look back!

[Cruiser]

Excellent, well not but I really appreciate the info. I did find out the following, not sure if it changes anything (ever the optimist, you see what my husband is facing):

1) The wood of the logs is pine; (Is Pine on the good list or another RUN item?)
2) it is a real log home, not a kit. There were different models from Real Log Homes.

Logcurious,

That is not a "real" log home. The "logs" are not really logs, they are milled into the small shape you see. This most definitely looks like a kit home, and absolutely is not what LHBA would consider a real log home. No matter how much you like this house (or any house), if there are major structural problems, you should walk away.

[Logcurious]

I agree and am a very deliberate person, at least at this level of a purchase. I am eternally grateful for the opinions here as we really had no idea/clue, but my husband knew enough to say sorry no way, too many bad signs. Not to mention we are getting past the point where we want a bunch of maintenance on a house that we are not smart enough to understand. Back to brick for us ;) Or at least a great, well made home like I saw in this forum, a dream. Thanks again to all, very valuable information here!

[Scoutman]

Stick around logcurious! Read more here and TAKE THE CLASS!!

[edkemper]

Logcurious,

The picture does not show a real log home. It's a kit. Don't be totally discouraged by the idea of a log home. The real deal is worth the effort and will last more than a lifetime. Kit homes? Lucky to make it through a pregnancy (timeframe) without some damage. Hope you stick around and read everything. This is a great bunch and these are unbelievable real log homes.