Couldn't stay retired, so a new chapter starts.

[garymtx]

Just turned 62 but retired at 56. Even with multiple hobbies, I was bored stiff. So, the wife and I decide to jump into another business and bought a former covered horse arena and stables on 10 acres. We are converting it to Boat and R.V. storage, but I'm keeping a large portion for shop space. The large building is 120x350x24 with a 2400 sq/ft barndominium on the second level. The smaller building (left side of picture) is 80x125x14, I will be keeping the back 80x72x14 area of that building for my shop and am closing it in now. I'll update as it progresses folks!! Apologies for the long post but wanted you to have some backround information.

 

[PugetDude]

52,000 ft2.
Holy ****.
This one is going to be epic!
Subscribed.

 

[Cypress]

This is a serious case of “Go big or go home!”

Looking forward to more updates!

 

[karoc]

Where I live, my place backs up to a well to do neighborhood. Down road is an RV storage some covered some not. That place is pack full, if your near a heavy populated area you will do well.

 

[930dreamer]

That will keep you busy, very nice.

 

[Shehzada]

Just the purchase cost is probably epic for GJ

 

[welder57]

Where are you located? Nice Buildings!!!!!

 

[MacTexas]

This is one I need to follow. Boat and RV storage is big in my area.

 

[karoc]

Where I'm at if you have over 10 acres you could get an Ag exempt, some put few heads of goats on property or few heads of cattle. Being Ag exempt may save little money,not knowing just thinking out loud.

 

[Toolfool]

Excellent !! Where is this ?

 

[garymtx]

Where I live, my place backs up to a well to do neighborhood. Down road is an RV storage some covered some not. That place is pack full, if your near a heavy populated area you will do well.

karoc, We got very lucky when we found this place, it is just down the road a few miles from our present home. It sat vacant for two years before I found out who owned it and made an offer that they accepted. I bought it before it even went on the market. We drove past it daily, so it was always in our minds. A big plus, we are in an area just south of Houston, Tx. that is exploding with new homes and a population that went from 15k 20 yrs ago to 320k now. Expected population in 10 years is 650k. A week after we closed on this place a developer bought the property directly across the road and is building 900 new houses starting at 300k per.

 

[garymtx]

Excellent !! Where is this ?

Pearland, Tx.

 

[garymtx]

Where I'm at if you have over 10 acres you could get an Ag exempt, some put few heads of goats on property or few heads of cattle. Being Ag exempt may save little money,not knowing just thinking out loud.

karoc, we are on opposite sides of Houston from each other!

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Good for you. Nice property
My wife said years ago that we should do some type of storage facility. Wish I had looked into the opportunity at that time. Storage facilities have since popped up all over the place.

I believe it has to do with people just wanting or having more opportunity to buy hard goods. Credit is too easy to get. My Grandfather never had a credit card. He just walked around with a wad of cash and paid hard cash for anything he wanted. Years ago people got by with just what they needed. Today it’s cars, trailers, recreational equipment, you name it, you have to store it. One tv in a home used to be standard, now take a count within your home. And it doesn’t stop there.

You won’t have any trouble finding clients. My hat is off to you for taking on this opportunity.

 

[karoc]

Pearland is very nice area, with the hot market which hasn't slowed down you sir are on a gold mine. With gas prices the way they are encourages people to purchase those RV's and travel trailers. Congratulations

 

[garymtx]

Good for you. Nice property
My wife said years ago that we should do some type of storage facility. Wish I had looked into the opportunity at that time. Storage facilities have since popped up all over the place.

I believe it has to do with people just wanting or having more opportunity to buy hard goods. Credit is too easy to get. My Grandfather never had a credit card. He just walked around with a wad of cash and paid hard cash for anything he wanted. Years ago people got by with just what they needed. Today it’s cars, trailers, recreational equipment, you name it, you have to store it. One tv in a home used to be standard, now take a count within your home. And it doesn’t stop there.

You won’t have any trouble finding clients. My hat is off to you for taking on this opportunity.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I thought about doing this 30 years ago, just didn't have the funds to make it work. Back then, people could store their toys at their house but hoa's put a stop to that. Don't let the delay of the idea deter you, boat and rv sales have been at record levels for more than 5 years straight.

Yeah, I grew up the same way. I use enough credit to keep my score up but pay cash for most things. Bought my first house when I was 20, haven't had a mortgage for 30 some years. Credit is only easy to get if your score is decent so I keep it up just in case. And I think most of this stuff was around back then, fancy cars, boats, r.v's etc, just not as many people bought it. Heck, Airstream has been around since the 30's, Chris Craft boats too, and dozens of others. The standard of living has gone up for most people and that's a good thing.

That's a mighty fine goat on your profile!!!!! I like the 65's more than any other year.

 

[garymtx]

This is one I need to follow. Boat and RV storage is big in my area.

MacTexas, Yeah, here too. I'm not a fan of H.O.A.'s, but in this regard it's great for business.

My son and his family live just up the road from you in Justin.

 

[383z]

Pearland, Tx.

You're not too far from me. I'm in the Clear Lake area. Good luck with your new adventures. I'm sure you'll do great.

 

[meathooker]

This place is amazing! Congrats.

A week after we closed on this place a developer bought the property directly across the road and is building 900 new houses starting at 300k per.

Talk about timing. Excited to see what you do with it.

 

[justnutsandbolts]

Sir... This is "garage" journal.

 

[Toolfool]

Where are the pictures of the work in progress ??

 

[PhantomEB]

That’s gonna be a fun retirement gig!

 

[PugetDude]

Sir... This is "garage" journal.

He's going to store vehicles in them...so they are garages... on steroids.

 

[garymtx]

Sir... This is "garage" journal.

Yes, it is. I posted because I'm keeping a large portion of one building as a shop and that is what my future comments will reference. My fellow members needed some context of the project. From what I've seen, "garage" and "shop" are interchangeable terms in this forum.

 

[Motoman1100]

So usually I'll read through the whole thread before I decide to subscribe, but this time I read the first paragraph and made that decision. I agree with others, this will be fun to watch. Thanks for posting!

 

[garymtx]

Where are the pictures of the work in progress ??

I'll try to get some pictures up this weekend. Whole living area needed new paint and some refurb on the hardwood floors. Been working on wiring in new lights in both buildings and some outdoor lighting as well. Most of the existing wiring was not up to code and everything has to be run in conduit, so it's taking awhile. Had dump trucks running all day today, hauling in washout to the parking areas. You know the old saying "all it takes is time and money"......Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and positive posts!!!

 

[garymtx]

Lighting update. Before and after pictures taken from the new security gate.

 

[Toolfool]

Great spaces ! Jealous.

 

[OOBER]

Sounds like a great opportunity!

Those buildings are enormous, but look like a perfect fit for what you want to do with them. Looking forward to the updates.

 

[JoeMash]

Gotta love Texas sized indoor spaces. Having spent most of my life working indoors due too very long winters, I’ve always dreamed of being able to build,fab or repair something and then test drive it indoor during the winter and avoid the snow [emoji23] best of luck on your investment!


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[M-technik-3]

Is that a former runway across the street? That would be my kinda of garage. Would not know what to do with all that space.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Just turned 62 but retired at 56. Even with multiple hobbies, I was bored stiff. So, the wife and I decide to jump into another business and bought a former covered horse arena and stables on 10 acres. We are converting it to Boat and R.V. storage, but I'm keeping a large portion for shop space. The large building is 120x350x24 with a 2400 sq/ft barndominium on the second level. The smaller building (left side of picture) is 80x125x14, I will be keeping the back 80x72x14 area of that building for my shop and am closing it in now. I'll update as it progresses folks!! Apologies for the long post but wanted you to have some backround information.

Fantastic setup in nice area! Is that a culvert drainage system that goes thru corner of your property?

Always dreamed of having a huge shop but never dreamed that big! I have to stick with my cramped 900 sq ft shop(s) hardly room to move around with all the tools and equip.

Will be watching for sure!

From the street view it looks pretty overgrown. Was it abandoned at one time?

Approx 8.5 acres? Nice lot too!

 

[billspit]

Due to HOAs you should have plenty of people needing a place to park their RV.

 

[garymtx]

Is that a former runway across the street? That would be my kinda of garage. Would not know what to do with all that space.

Nah, it's a drainage/utility easement. Big drainage canal and electrical high lines and a couple of pipelines.

 

[garymtx]

Fantastic setup in nice area! Is that a culvert drainage system that goes thru corner of your property?

Always dreamed of having a huge shop but never dreamed that big! I have to stick with my cramped 900 sq ft shop(s) hardly room to move around with all the tools and equip.

Will be watching for sure!

From the street view it looks pretty overgrown. Was it abandoned at one time?

Approx 8.5 acres? Nice lot too!

----------
Yes, it was abandoned for about 2 yrs before we bought it. 10 acres.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

That property is even more amazing than I originally thought. .
Next time I’m down your way I’m stopping in.

 

[garymtx]

Apologies for the long delay for an update. We had freeze damage at both properties and ended up completely remodeling the house we just moved out of and replacing half the plumbing in this one plus opening the business, been a bit hectic.

Thanks to everyone for your moral support and encouraging words! Things are starting to take off with the storage. The smaller building is full and the big building is about 1/3 full (pictures attached). Outside storage is lagging behind but we expect it to take off once we run out of covered spaces. Anyone who leases outside will be promised a space on a waiting list, so that should help.

Now that the remodeling is done at the old place, I can start working on my enclosed shop space that I'm keeping here. I'll post an update on that progress asap.

 

[Sumboodie]

My Dad retired out of the blue last fall at 59 after 37 years at the mill.

Just decided that he was done. They wanted him to stay, at least part time, but he said "nope, no way, no how, I'm done done".

I was very surprised, I expected he'd work there until they told him to stay home. He's the type of guy that visits and expects to be put to work. My brother started giving him a list since he'd keep bugging him for stuff to do.

I expected he'd drive my Mom nuts or end up back at work after a while, but he's been very happy just tinkering on stuff.

The last ~6 months I've been job hunting and just working on stuff at home. Not hurting too much for money because of passive incomes. It's been awesome doing what I want, getting stuff done that I've been "working on" for years... some I started 10+ years ago. Oh, and not putting in 100hr weeks and getting home just to shower and sleep and repeat the next day.

 

[garymtx]

Yeah, I can relate to your dad. If I don't have something to do I can get in all sorts of trouble, lol. I was also the same way when I retired, after 35 years I was done, done.

If I didn't have passive income and no mortgage there's no way I could have retired when I did. Started buying stocks in my early twenties plus My wife and I both have/had 401's through work. Hundred hour weeks get old for sure, one of the biggest reasons that I retired. It seems the more you work, the more you know and they take advantage of that, it's a catch 22.

Good luck in your endeavors and your job search, I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[rixtrix1]

Found your place on google earth. Looks like a perfect location, close to the city and simple access. Best wishes on the business.