Bad Economy Forces Family To Put Cave On eBay
Family Living in Missouri Cave Puts Home on eBay
ST. LOUIS — In a twist to the U.S. housing crisis, a family that has been living in a home built inside a cave in suburban St. Louis has put it up for sale on eBay.
Bidding starts at $300,000.
Curt and Deborah Sleeper of Festus bought about 3 acres of property and a cave in Festus in 2004, after they spotted it on the Internet.
The couple built a three-bedroom home inside the one-time mining cave.
A large payment is due soon, and the Sleepers are trying to secure private financing. If they are able to, they may not sell. They’re not accepting financial donations.
Their youngest child, Theodore Wesley, was born at their home over the weekend.
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That…is…freaking…awesome.
I wish I had 300k.
I wonder if they would be interested in a trade? My house is worth more than that but probably not in this market.
Hmmm only $300K? If we wanted to live further north, that would definitely be an option. Utilities must be fairly cheap being in the ground and all. Dehumidification has got to be a must though.
It looks like a work-in-progress. Still, sure is roomy! Caves usually have a fixed temperature of around 55-60 degrees year-round but are usually very humid. That would not be so good for electronics. Would need to enclose a media room and install a good dehumidifier in there. What kind of heating system? Can’t see a wood burning stove (or derivative) as the exhaust would be a bitch to install (heh). Running water (public or well)? How’s the water pressure? Does it have public sewer or a septic tank? If a septic, where is it located … exposed pipes to it? Lastly, bats, mice, other critters? That long tunnel looks like an ideal place for a shooting range, just need a backstop and ventilation. Hell, can even target practice on any critters coming up from the cave … bats on the other hand … don’t like them too much. Although, good shotgun practice (heh).
So here’s how I see it … Pros: Little chance of wind damage, can have a built in range limited only be the longest tunnel, year-round cool temperature cuts down on heating and cooling expenses, very spacious and only one lane of approach (good bunker).
Cons: No windows anywhere but the front, humidity, need for ventilation system and only one way to escape. If there was a fire in the front blocking the exit, bad shit will happen.
It’s in Festus, MO, affectionately known around here as Nazi Bunker Country. It’s actually pretty good living there.
It is not a natural cave, just a mine opening. There are lots of such things hereabouts.