Wade and Ellie McGinnis always dreamed of owning a farm. “That was not even something we had to discuss,” Ellie recalls. “I think we just both knew that’s what we both wanted. So that was always the goal.”
So, when a 100-acre farm with rolling fields and a charming (but very old) farmhouse came on the market in Harrison County, Ky. the couple jumped at the opportunity to make it their own.
Ellie, an artist, was particularly captivated by the property’s 1887 farmhouse.
“I never wanted to live in a new home. They don’t have the character of an old home,” she explained. “When I walked inside, the house was rough, but the tight, curly staircase caught my eye. The home had the character I was looking for. It just needed a lot of work to make it our dream home.”
While there was a lot of interest in the farm from other buyers, the farm’s owner was pleased with the couple’s willingness to purchase the property and keep it operating.
Ellie and Wade turned to Rural 1st® for the non-traditional loan they needed to finance the renovations needed to make the farmhouse their home.
“It was so important that the deal could be done quickly, so we could secure the farm that we wanted,” Ellie said. “We had to act quickly to make that happen. [Rural 1st was] prompt and easy to talk to. And the process was seamless and convenient, which made all the difference.”
While the renovation required structural repairs and modern updates, Wade and Ellie took care to restore the original hardwood floors, refurbish the antique windows and preserve the architectural details that made the home unique.
In the end, the effort was worth it.
“I can’t imagine having my family be anywhere else,” said Wade. “A lot of people don’t come from necessarily the best home. But you make your own path, and you can make a home. So Closer to What Matters™ is your home and your family and what you put in front of them.”
That sentiment took on an even bigger meaning for the couple as they welcomed their first child, a boy, in early 2025.
“We did this to make our dreams come true,” said Wade. “I hope that he looks back on this and knows how good a life that we were able to give him. That peace and that tranquility of being here.”
