Desperate Home Sellers Resort to "Parting out" Their House

   I recently read a story in the Boston Globe about a couple in East Baldwin Maine who have decided to "part out" their house and donate the Jonathan Porter murals to a local museum. It seems the owners of the house were unable to sell the house after two years on the market without so much as a verbal offer. So they have resorted to doing what many Mainers who are stuck with a car do when they can't find a buyer. Selling it for parts. Well not really. They are actually donating the murals to a local museum after removing the walls where the murals were painted (and making themselves eligible for a serious tax deduction) and sending them to the Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton.

But this got me thinking about how much I could get for my house if I were to sell it in pieces rather than all at once. The lot alone should be worth about $100,000 because of its location and pre-existing well and the sewer connection. Then we have the some wicked modern propane wall mounted forced hot water system should go for about $8000 (unless someone finds out that it needs to be "rebooted" after every power outage), then a few thousand for the copper pipes, a couple hundred for the copper wiring and then another couple hundred for porcelain. Which brings us to the real money makers. The wide pine floors and the beams. Since the house was built in 1830 it is post and beam construction and if you have ever priced out a a 12x12 beam for an architectural effect in a new house that is over 20' long you'll know that I am sitting on a gold mine.

Then we have the foundation materials. What do you think your landscaper would charge you for a piece of cut granite that is 6'x4' and 10" in height? Multiply that by 5 then add in a couple hundred smaller pieces that would be perfect for steps or retaining walls and all of a sudden you are talking some real money.

So if you happen to see me this weekend with a large crowbar and a sledgehammer feel free to stop by and make me an offer on some fireplace mantles. I'll make you a great deal. Just don't tell my mortgage company.