Considering a barndominium?
Posted by Erin Wilhite
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The barndominiums we see in Texas began as a sort of sensible, low-cost ranch home. Many of the original barndominiums were a combined owner's apartment and horse stalls. We have seen them grow in popularity over the past few decades in Texas, but they have become nationally and internationally recognized since being featured on Chip and Joanna Gaines' show "Fixer Upper." The appeal is that this is a very sturdy, low-maintenance, energy-efficient home, and relatively inexpensive when compared to the same size stick-built home.
The basic construction features of a barndominium include a steel frame on a concrete slab, a metal roof and exterior walls, and spray foam insulation in the living quarters. The space is divided into two very distinct areas: living quarters and a workshop, garage, barn, stables, or even an airplane hanger.
The living quarters are finished out to the owner's taste, from modest to elaborate materials. The ratio of space for the living quarters to the storage area is completely up to the owner and builder, as the quarters are framed out with standard home construction wood. We are seeing more and more homes have a bit of stone attached to the lower part of the exterior walls to make them more attractive.
Here in Texas, we are beginning to see a trend in local communities, such as my market of Navasota and Brenham, passing ordinances against barndominiums within the city limits. The objective of these communities is to maintain a more residential architectural style, as the metal siding used in barndominiums lends itself to a more commercial appearance.
When pricing a ranch to buy or sell, we begin with the appraisal district value. From there, we have always looked at the land, the separate structures, and the homestead. We are usually seeing that the "home" on the appraisal district is the actual square footage of the owner's quarters, separate from the square footage of the barn - even though they are nested/attached. It is best to select a lender who has experience with barndominiums and acreage sales.
There is some confusion in that one can find photos of homes labeled "barndominiums" online. Many of these are not really barndominiums; they are steel-framed houses. Standard pricing considerations would be used in these cases.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the HRIS.
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