House of the Week: Remodeled 1885 farmhouse in Lincklaen evokes feeling of visiting Grandmas house – syracuse.com

LINCKLAEN, N.Y. In 2002, Ronald and Ruth Luchsinger were looking at farms in Madison County.

Not having much luck, they drove a little further south, crossing into Chenango County. Finally, while reaching the top of a hill near Lincklaen, Ronald found exactly what he wanted.

This is the place! he remembered shouting.

Nestled quietly in 123 acres of Central New York farmland was an 1885 farmhouse that had seen better days.

It was such a nice setting, vacant and unaltered, Luchsinger said.

But the farmhouse was not so good.

Cosmetically, it was trashed, he says, laughing. It was bad.

He tells a story that he celebrated his 50th birthday on the day he and his wife closed on the property. They hosted a few friends there and one told him straight out, You bought this!

But Luchsinger was undaunted. In fact, with a personal passion for carpentry and remodeling, he looked forward to the challenge.

I enjoy taking something old that does not look too good and make it look like it should, he explains.

Like it should meant creating a nostalgic feeling of yesteryear.

Our goal was to make it look like grandma and grandpas house, he said.

Over four winters, they gutted everything, reconfigured rooms and replaced the homes roof, windows, and siding.

Now, he says those skeptical friends of his, cant believe it!

Inside they kept the traditional feel of a 19th century Central New York, with original trim and wainscoting. Modern amenities like internet and new kitchen appliances were also added.

It has been a labor of love, Luchsinger admits.

The property has great potential as an agribusiness.

Ronald and Ruth use the three-bedroom upstairs bedroom as a bed and breakfast and house more guests in the top floor of an 1864-era barn he found in Tully, which he moved to Lincklaen, piece by piece.

They are booked solid for most of the summer.

The Lodge, as it is called, can accommodate six people. It is heated, has air-conditioning, and has guests until the cold weather arrives.

He believes an enterprising owner can transform the property, which has 7,000 feet of road frontage, into a brewery, apple orchard, campground, Airbnb, vineyard, farm-to-table restaurant, or wedding venue. For nature lovers the property borders Lincklaen State Forest and Mariposa State Forest.

(The man-made spring-fed swimming pond on the grounds has hosted three baptisms.)

After 18 years, the couple have decided to take on a new project, rebuilding another property near Tully.

I have run out of projects here! Luchsinger says laughing.

An open house is scheduled for Sunday, August 16, from 1 to 3 p.m.

THE DETAILS

Address: 312 Springer Road, DeRuyter, N.Y. 13052

Price: $569,000

Size: 2,064 square feet

Acreage: 123 acres

Monthly Mortgage: $1,985 (based on this week's national average rate of 3.27 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.)

Taxes: $3,323

Built: 1885

School District: DeRuyter

Kitchen: Listing says that the new Country Style kitchen will bring back memories of Grandmas house. The motif of the space mirrors the rest of the farmhouse. Traditional trim was maintained, as were the old-style Hoosier cabinets. Exposed ceiling is seen. Owner calls the kitchen very handy to work in. Kitchen features new modern appliances.

Living areas: Home underwent a four-year remodel between 2003 and 2006. New windows were added, and owner says that 90 percent of the property can be seen from somewhere inside the house. Visitors arrive in an inviting front foyer or in a back mudroom, which is very convenient if you were out working or playing outside. Home features an open-floor plan on the first floor. The kitchen, dining area and living room make for one large space. There is a den or library with access via double doors.

Bedrooms: The master bedroom is on the first floor. The room is quite spacious and features a double door closet. The three bedrooms upstairs are currently being used a bed and breakfast.

Bathrooms: There are two-and-a-half bathrooms in the house. The first-floor half-bath is just off the mudroom. The master bathroom has a shower unit and is home to the houses laundry room, which the owner considers very convenient for farm life. There is another full bathroom upstairs.

The Lodge: The Lodge is guest accommodations built inside an 1864 Tully barn. It can sleep six people. It maintains its old-fashioned feel with exposed beams and kitchenette. The space is insulated, heated, and has air-conditioning. It is open during the warm months.

Outdoors: The 123-acre farm was chosen because of its spectacular views. The back patio is a favorite. There is always a cool breeze there. Besides the farmhouse and Lodge, the property features a workshop, two-car garage, wetland pond, five-stall horse barn with tack room, seven paddocks with high tensile wire fencing, and a private campground. Owner dug out his own spring-fed swimming pond with a dock six years ago. It is ten-and-a-half feet deep and has seen a lot of action during this warm summer. It has also hosted three baptisms. The farm is bordered by Lincklaen and Mariposa State Forests and there are 33 miles of seasonal roads for outdoor recreation. Property has enormous potential as an agribusiness.

Agent: Theresa Billy / The Karim Team

CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties

Address: 104 Salt Springs Road, Fayetteville, N.Y. 13066

Phone: (315) 663-8390

Email: thekarimteam@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thekarimteam.com

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If you know of a beautiful or interesting house currently up for sale, please consider sending a nomination for it to be featured as a future House of the Week. Send an email with the listing to home@syracuse.com.

Do you know of any older homes in Central New York which have fallen on hard times but have a lot of potential should they be restored to their original grandeur? A fixer-upper with a lot of potential? Consider nominating them to our new feature, Save this Home, in which we will spotlight grand houses of the past around Central New York that need to be saved. Send nominations to home@syracuse.com.

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House of the Week: Remodeled 1885 farmhouse in Lincklaen evokes feeling of visiting Grandmas house - syracuse.com