In short: Here are short answers to the questions people ask most about the Living Springs Log House. Each answer links to a full article if you want to learn more.
The property
How big is the property, and where is it?
The property is 14.75 acres outside Huntsville, in Madison County, Arkansas, in the Ozark hills.
What buildings are on it?
There is the log house, which has a walk-out basement suite with its own separate entrance, and a 40 by 60 foot insulated metal building. Read more in The Metal Building: 40 x 60 Feet With Abundant Potential.
Is it a true log house?
It’s a hybrid log home. The living room and master bedroom are built with solid cypress logs. The rest of the house is framed, with cypress siding outside that matches the logs, so from the outside it looks like a log house all the way around. Read Our Log House Is a Hybrid: Clearing Up Some Confusion and Caring for the Cypress Siding.
How is there high-speed internet way out in the country?
We’re blessed to have high-speed internet here, which is unusual this far out in the country. As I understand it, when the Living Springs neighborhood was first being built, one of the early residents, who had the means, paid to bring the lines out to the neighborhood. That generous choice is a big part of why we have high-speed internet today, and it has made working from home, schooling, and staying connected much easier. Please check current providers and speeds with the listing agent. Rural homes also have newer options today, such as satellite internet.
Water
Where does the water come from?
A cave spring behind the log house has filled two cisterns for nine years. It is the household’s only water source. The cisterns have only run low when a hose was left running or when there were mechanical problems. Read The Cave Spring: Where the Water Comes From.
Are there other springs?
Maybe, but we can’t promise it. There is a seep on the upper part of the property near the house, and a spot on the lower part of the property where a puddle has been seen holding water. We haven’t watched them through every season. Buyers are welcome to look for themselves. Read Water, Water Everywhere: The Water Story of the Living Springs Log House.
Is the spring water safe to drink?
We drink it, but any spring in the Ozarks should be filtered. Read How Safe Is a Spring? Why What Lives Uphill Matters.
The lake
Does the property come with lake access?
No. Lake access is not deeded with the property. The lake belongs to the Rutz Family Trust, and the family asks new neighbors to check in with Joel Rutz about using it. A public lake park is about a five-minute walk away. Read The Lake, the Rutz Family, and a Good Kind of Boundary.
Condition and repairs
What condition is the house in?
The house has good bones and needs some work. We had a pre-inspection done. Read our Disclosures page, which includes the full pre-inspection report, and the Improvement Checklist series, which pairs each issue with ways to fix it.
What about heating and cooling?
The heating and air systems are getting older. Upstairs the HVAC is working, and there is a propane heater for emergencies. The basement suite HVAC is out of order and the resident has used space heaters in the winter, and fans and a window air conditioner in the summer. We’ve written about lower-cost alternatives to HVAC in Staying Cool Without Air Conditioning and Rocket Stoves.
The neighborhood
What is the neighborhood called?
It has been called Living Springs since Bob and Joan Rutz bought the land around 1998. Many people also know it as Prayer Lake. Read Why “Living Springs”?
Are the neighbors friendly?
Yes, for the most part. No neighborhood is perfect, so as with any situation, you need to discern who is trustworthy. Many neighbors stay connected through a Messenger group chat to share news, rides, and help, and they try to make sure those without internet are included too, especially in emergencies. When fires broke out here, word went out and people rallied. There is a volunteer fire department in Kingston, 10 minutes away, but immediate attention is the best prevention.
I heard Living Springs is a cult. Is it?
No. The neighbors are very independent-minded, there are no leaders, and only a small fraction attend the weekly church service. Patricia explains where the rumor may have come from in Why “Living Springs”? The best way to know is to come and meet people.
Possibilities
What could the property be used for?
A homestead, a multigenerational family home, a farm animal sanctuary, a healing or retreat center, a sober living home, or a vegan co-living community. Read Six Ways to Belong, the Vegan Way. There are few county zoning restrictions, but you will need to contact the county judge at Madison County Courthouse for specific information.
Could animals live in the metal building?
We don’t recommend it. Animals would have to cross the driveway to reach it, and most animals don’t like being closed in a metal building with a concrete floor. The metal building works well for feed, supplies, and people. Much of the land was cleared years ago and has grown up over the past nine years. It could be cleared and made into pasture again, and we recommend building a barn out there, ideally near the pond site, though of course that’s the new owners’ choice. Read Water and Shelter for a Sanctuary Pasture.
Is more land available nearby?
Yes. The 40 acres above the log house are for sale as of today, Oct. 20, 2026. Check its current status and read An Adjacent Property is for Sale!
More
Can I see videos of the property?
Yes. Visit Videos from the Living Springs Log House.
Who writes this blog?
Patricia Mikkelson, a resident of the Living Springs Log House for nine years and a friend of the owner, Barbara. Read About This Blog.
How do I find out more or arrange a showing?
Check out the contact page.
How we wrote this together: This article was written collaboratively by Patricia, a friend of Barbara’s and a resident of the Living Springs Log House, and Claude.ai, the AI assistant made by Anthropic.
See more of the property at livingspringsloghouse.com
