All I know is that a log home A-frame style looks great on paper.
find another bank
log homes are not THAT unusual
I've owned two. Built the second one myself. Look at my page.
I didn't have any trouble with the bank. Insurance is the same as a stick built.
However, there are many differences in construction than a conventional stick built home.
The financing problems with log homes stems from lender's desire to have log homes as comparables on the appraisal.
Unless you're in a resort or mountain area there will only be about about 2 log home sales probably 20 miles from your property and and $60,000 below your sales price for use on the appraisal.
They are a bit rare. That's why lenders are skittish. Like Mr. K said, find someone else.
The issue with them, however, is appraisal. It's only worth what the market will bear. Which means that doing the appraisal is hard. An appraisal uses "comparable sales" to determine value. If log homes are common in your area you should be OK, but here in Ohio, there's only a handful and therefore, nothing to compare them to on the appraisal. That's why they're hard. If you build a 3200 square foot home for $340,000 and there are only 3 log home sales in a 20 mile radius of you in the last year--and they are only 1000 square foot homes that sold for $140,000--it's hard to determine the actual value of yours.
That said, as long as you aren't building the only log home for miles, you really should have no issue getting it done, but be prepared to do your homework and wait a bit longer for the loan.
COOL you can be a log cabin republican!
All I know is that a log home A-frame style looks great on paper.
New project for you!
I have seen unflattering descriptions of log homes as prone to a range of problems that stem from their unconventional nature and the relative lack of fully experienced builders, sub, and workers: inadequate foundations, mold, leaks, rot, greater repair and maintenance expenses, and so on. It seems that the relative risk of error in design and building log homes is greater than with conventional homes, often leading to serious problems; and the logs themselves can prove troublesome due to defects and poor seasoning. I am sure that it is possible to build a fine log home that is well-made in every sense and sure to last; I am also sure that it is possible for NASA to have built and operated the space shuttle without fatal incident.
As one w/a bit of expertise, I'd recommend them.
He further suggested that you see what exists in your market now and ask some appraisers and real estate agents for their thoughts as to creating max value.
In some areas (rustic, mountainous and woodsy), log homes (if built right) command top dollar. But of course in other areas (such as suburban neighborhoods with manicured lawns), they are white elephants.
Good luck...log homes are my favorites.
My parents have one. They had to get it re-stained a couple years ago (it was about eight years old, I think) and the carpenter bees like making holes in it. Otherwise, it's wonderful.
It's split-log, which means the outside is one thing and the inside something else, with insulation in the middle. Really gorgeous.
Lincoln Logs ???