I was talking generally about heritage homes and my experiences with them. I know this wasn't a designated home, but the actual cost to relocate and restore it would have been HUGE. If it made financial sense to move and renovate this, someone would have done it. The developer had to pay to tear it down – if people were banging on their door looking to move the house, I’m sure they wouldn’t have complained. There obviously weren’t any serious buyers, only naïve tire kickers like you.
I'll also say that you're
not qualified to determine whether there was asbestos or lead-paint, so don’t try and convince me there wasn’t. Unless this house was previously abated, there's a nearly 100% chance that it DID contain asbestos in the plaster walls and ceiling.
From your very own photos I can see that it had oil radiators, NOT a "modern" HVAC system.
There are broken windows, which means 100% chance of water damage.
There's also a nearly 100% chance that it had shitty old plumbing that wouldn't meet code.
There's also a nearly 100% chance that it had shitty old wiring that wouldn't meet code.
Your assumption that a project like this is even remotely within the financial reach of the common man is totally misinformed. Good luck securing a mortgage for a derelict farmhouse with asbestos and illegal wiring. Good luck finding a company willing to insure it. Do you have any idea how much it costs to pick up and move a home any appreciable distance?
Saving this house would have cost MILLIONS of dollars, so don’t stand there blaming other people for not stepping up to save it. If it’s so easy and desirable, do it yourself.
I love old houses, and I’m not saying they SHOULDN’T be saved whenever feasible, I’m saying there’s a good reason why they’re usually not – the cost.