1259 Maple Ridge Rd, De Kalb Junction, NY 13630

Calling all Thoreau types! This treasure of a farmette awaits a new caretaker: a turnkey homestead in the original sense with a cedar-clad two-bedroom cottage camp, a compact barn, seclusion among 8.18 acres, an outside hand pump as the water system, a fully-stocked organic dry goods shop at the roadside, outbuildings (outhouse, playhouse) that match the cottage, and sundry surprises throughout (mostly antiques, including a horse drawn carriage). With the exception of an opening at the road, the property is entirely fenced-in and held horses and cows until recently. There are fenced-in areas by the barn for small animals and a garden. The overall size of the house is 30' across by 16' deep, with a 6' deep porch across the front and a small back addition (bedroom and pantry with rear egress) of 10' x 16'. The ceilings are 8', and the bedrooms are roughly 9' x 9'. Two charming red brick chimneys belong to the wood burning stoves that convey with the house, an exceptionally warm top-loading stove and a Canadian-made Margin Gem Pack cook stove. The house is on skids and technically can be moved, although this would likely entail losing the chimneys. All of the buildings were constructed by hand and without electricity, using as much local, natural (plastic-free) materials as possible. Throughout the house are hand-oiled hard maple floors and local Amish kiln-dried pine tongue and groove walls and ceilings. Insulation is premium Havelock Wool. All windows -- of the house, barn, shop, and playhouse -- are custom-made Amish wood frames with glass lights; the windows of the house have matching custom-made storm windows and screens. (The storms make an incredible difference for keeping heat in the house.) The exterior of the house is custom cedar siding, also from the local Amish kiln -- these photos were taken a year ago when the siding was newly-installed, so now the wood has a lovely older gray patina that will only improve with time. The roofing is metal with Grace Ice & Water Shield underlayment. Custom-made Amish furniture in oak wood is included with the sale: corner table and bench and a double bed frame with a matching side table; a wood porch swing is stored in the barn. The walk-in closet is lined in cedar with custom cedar shelving. Floor underlayment is STEICO natural acoustic wood fiber -- while less insulating than the typical Styrofoam underlayment, in the winter, with the stove(s) going and the storm windows on, cold floors are a non-issue. The property is electricity-free and local well-driller Fenlong drilled the well 203'. Various plantings from the respectable St Lawrence Nurseries were planted throughout the property, including basket willows, apples, pears, berries, and more. He is rich who owns the day -- this gem of a place is priced to sell, so act fast! *Serious buyers only, please. No owner financing offered.*