Neil and Christina Buchanan are the definition of hard-working, humble, salt of the earth people. Through their dedication to strong careers, they’ve built multiple successful businesses, including an underground utilities company that employees more than 100 team members. Though their story is rooted in humble beginnings, Neil and Christina created a life they love and share in a log home on their 125-acre rural sanctuary.
Their dream began with Neil, who, as a teenager, envisioned a life centered around a beautiful log home sheltered in nature. This vision, fueled by a magazine clipping and the desire for peaceful solitude, became the basis of their shared vision. After meeting Neil, Christina quickly recognized his passion, noting his collection of log home magazines. "I knew he loved log homes when I first met him,” she said. “I came to his house and he had a basket full of log home magazines."
Neil and Christina quickly bonded over similar experiences of growing up with limited means, establishing a foundation of values apparent throughout their entire relationship. Both of their families taught them the importance of hard work and earning what you have.
“My grandfather raised me. He taught me to have a good work ethic and that if you want something, you must be willing to earn it,” Neil shared. “I took that lesson and ran with it. I think that's one of the things that we hit it off so well on: Christina had the same type of upbringing.”
The couple’s thriving construction business, built by them completely from the ground up, demands a great deal of their time and energy. "My mornings start at about 4:45 a.m.," Neil described, detailing the demanding schedule. "Calls start coming in about 5 a.m., getting all the guys scheduled for their job assignments. It really doesn't stop until we get home in the evenings, between 8 and 9 p.m." Christina added, "We are usually the last ones to leave, making sure all our guys are in from the field and everybody's safe before we head home."
For the Buchanans, their log home has become a daily escape. "When we pull through the gates in the evenings or on weekends, it seems like all of our troubles fade away," Neil shared. The purchase of their log home was supported from start to finish by Rural 1st and their loan officer, Emily Stamper, who understood their unique needs. "The traditional bank system didn't really fit the property," Neil explained. "Rural 1st understood what the property entailed and its value."
Neil and Christina both love to share their property with friends and family. "If you're blessed like we’ve been, you have to share that with others,” Neil said. “And this place is truly a blessing for us." With the help of Rural 1st, Neil and Christina are getting Closer to What Matters®: balance. Although their construction business comes with high stress, their rural log home allows them to disconnect, recharge and escape the pressures of work.
Interested in financing your own log home? Connect with a Rural 1st loan officer today to learn more.
