At least one Fairfax County supervisor is looking for a way to encourage people to move their homes — not just the items inside, but the whole structure.
Gerald Hyland, D-Mount Vernon District, said that as part of the county’s affordable housing initiative, officials should look at preserving homes that are being knocked down to make way for much larger homes, often referred to as McMansions.
“Instead of tearing down perfectly good units, a homeowner could donate their home to a nonprofit organization, saving them the cost of demolition and disposal,” Hyland said of his plan. “These homes could then be sold as affordable units as land becomes available.”
If Hyland’s plan as envisioned were eventually turned into a workable policy, the nonprofit would pay for the home’s appraisal and the homeowner would pay for the relocation fee, receiving a tax deduction for the donation.
The process can be costly, though, said John Matyiko, owner of Expert Home Movers near Salisbury on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
He said the cost of transporting a house can start at $20,000, and moves generally are used for historic or older homes and structures.
The distances are usually limited to just a few miles, “or until we run into an overpass or something. Then things come to a stop,” Matyiko said.
“It’s a good idea and a good cause, but you really need to think about this, and do it with your eyes wide open and your mind clear,” he said. “It’s not easy, and it’s not cheap.”
