Rural Connecticut 2 Acre European Farm Retreat This fully functioning farm is unique blend of authentic European craftsmanship, old world micro farm and modern conveniences not to mention a high quality backup solar system and shelter. It is very difficult to find turn key rural retreats within commuting distance to the NY City metro area, for those that must work there. The prices for all rural property within an hour and a half of Manhattan are very high, and Ridgefield, being a wealthy bedroom community is no exception. PRICE: $450,000 cash out. Compared to the million dollar plus homes in the area, this is also old world priced. It is secluded and set apart from any subdivisions so you have complete privacy and seclusion. It isn t visible from any road and has all the facilities to operate it when you need it as a micro farm, complete with barns, outdoor kitchen, wood storage and animal stalls.
FEATURES: Semi rural setting in suburban Ridgefield, Connecticut Log home on 2 acres with large garden Home heated with firewood in a Russian masonry stove also a wood fired brick oven, wood fired cooktop and wood fired sauna (all inside the house). If you have never experienced the lingering warmth of a masonry whole house stove, you re in for a treat. These are very expensive to craft and build properly but they make the maximum use of the wood fuel. Additional propane stove/oven for convenient cooking & baking Small log office with thatched roof on property heated with wood fired stove. This is old world custom craftsmanship that you hardly ever see in America. All heating appliances (water heater, stove/oven and clothes dryer) energized by propane from a buried 1000 gallon tank, in order to minimize electric power consumption, when using emergency solar electric backup Custom Root Cellar
Currently a working family farm with a milking cow, chickens, ducks and a turkey, but very little to maintain if you want to put it into reserve retreat status. 3 small pastures and a barn with hayloft, chicken coop and 3 animal stalls Angle adjustable array of 42 solar panels, 40 durable Iron Edison (nickel iron) TN 400 storage batteries and Trace inverter (48 volt DC to 110 volt AC) More than half of perimeter is undevelopable open space Outdoor Summer Kitchen with wood fired cooktop for cooking and eating in spring, summer and fall plenty of shed space for wood storage Water from well with hand operated pump inside kitchen, as well as standard electric pump for indoor plumbing property located on top of a hill with no toxic runoff Secure room/fallout shelter with 6 bunks, ship s toilet, small refrigerator, sink, propane camp stove, battery operated ventilation fan with HEPA filter and plenty of shelves for water, food and other storage
Available for occupancy July 2015. The owner is starting early to search for a retreat buyer who will appreciate this property. A 10% down on contract will hold it until final payment is due. The cost of the land alone almost two decades ago was $275K, and it would cost over $300 $400K to duplicate this old world craftsmanship today on all this custom buildings. The building style and quality reminds one of Austria and Switzerland. Misc: Annual property taxes are high in CT Currently $8339.80 per year Other typical utility bills: Well water no water bill Electricity about $100 per month Propane about $2000 per year Roof type, Lifetime Roof: extruded concrete shingles Cabin built in 1996 Sizes of rooms in cabin by floor level Main floor Living (right) 12 x 23' Kitchen 16 x 17' Pantry 7 X 12' Bedroom 11 x 11' Dining room and alcove with bed 11 x 16 1/2' Full bath 7 1/2 x 8' Sauna 10 x 11'
Loft Bedroom 13 x 16' Storage room 11x16' Open loft space with bed 8 x 15' Open loft hallway 4 x 9 1/2' Open loft space with bed 6 x 12' Basement includes: Laundry room and solar battery storage 9 x 12 1/2' Office 7 1/2 x 12' Safe room/shelter Additional information available for those interested and financially qualified to purchase. Email joel@joelskousen.com Mr. Skousen helped in designing this retreat, and is representing the owner without compensation to help him screen potential buyers and to ensure privacy. Wood Fired (or electric) Sauna