NPR

Millions are using risky ways to try and buy an affordable home : NPR

Five years ago, Donald Strayer thought he'd bought a dream home for his extended family. It was on a pretty spot in Ohio's Appalachian mountain foothills, with room for him and his wife, his daughter's family, plus their horses and goats. And he could actually afford it.

Strayer had been turned down for a bank loan because of bad credit — he says it's because of hospital bills years ago. The 58-year-old former forklift driver has a chronic lung disease and lives off disability. Instead of a regular mortgage, he signed what's known as a land contract directly with the seller.

The price was $39,900. For a down payment he sold his childhood home, which he inherited when his dad died, "the only thing I had in the whole world."

For years he made monthly payments of $350 on his new home. And then "one day the sheriff just showed up," he says. "It was foreclosed and they wanted to take my property."

Where I Would Eventually Like to Live

Yesterday, I gave you some of my thoughts about the urban life — what I like about it — and the key elements that I think I find enjoyable about it from connectivity and accessibility of products and services nearby by walking or taking public transit.

Peru Farms

Yet, I’m in my heart a country boy, and I love spending time in the woods.

  • Live in a small community, with a small city (of around 20,000 persons) within 15-30 miles.
  • Own inexpensive land in hilly, rocky area, maybe 25-50 acres of woodland/pasture that I could run a couple head of cattle on, ride ATVs around.
  • Hobby farm a little bit, grow some of my own food, kill and eat my own animals.
  • Have no neighbors right nearby to bother me, be able to have fires, and burn my garbage (love fire!).
  • Be able to shoot targets and play with guns in my backyard.
  • Relatively low property taxes and fees so I could afford the land.
  • Have ATVs and snowmobiles, handguns and more long-guns, that I could ride around own land.
  • A big 3/4 ton or 1 ton 4×4 off-road pickup truck with cap.
  • State or federal public forest land nearby to hunt and fish on, along with ride ATVs and snowmobiles on.
  • Places in the boondocks nearby where I can truck camp or tent camp for free.
  • Hilltops and ridges to climb up on, look at wilderness and valleys below.
  • Lakes and ponds to swim and paddle around on, and fish.
  • Low taxes, friendly and helpful government agencies.

Coat Rack

There is a lot to celebrate about living in a quality urban community and living the urban life, I sure do love the wild nature of Rural America and the folks who spend every day of their lives in the wood.