start with your drone - seeing what clues are there from the aerial views of the property should be helpful as you should be able to spot old paths, burn pits, foundations, alignments of trees and of course the oldest trees should stand out without the views from the sky.
With the floor beams being 'shaped trees' the first clue is that the place is old and from the one view of the house it looks like a 'salt box' style house, so that goes back a ways. As this is a large brick home it indicates someone with a good income lived there and as it is an old home, possibly built before WW I, before the flu pandemic, before the depression there is a lot of history to consider and possibly someone may have had a 'Bank' or hiding hole at the place. How much land is involved, any creeks/streams/rivers/lakes on the property? How long is the driveway? Is it out in the country or on the outskirts of town? A family likely lived there, how many children, what sort of activities did the owners involve themselves with (parties, hunting, flower beds, picnics) etc.
In what year was the home constructed? Horse and buggy era (a stable)? Automobiles? Occupation, social status, personal activities, number of children, country 2nd home or main home all hint at what sort of activities could have taken place around the home inside and outside. Was there an area set aside for picnics? With increased outdoor activities (children, parties, social gatherings) the higher the possibility of something having been lost, children or adults climbing trees, etc.
So yes, the aerial views could offer clues as a hint of a trail/path might lead one to a row of trees or unique plant types that could have been where their hiding place could have been located though likely there was also a hiding place in the house or outbuilding. Just possibilities
You've a lot of details to unearth/ask about that could help to understand the history of the house and its occupants and using your drone for above ground photo details could be beneficial. Good Luck with the details and the search, we look forward to whatever you can share with us...............63bkpkr
What has the owner of the property been able to tell you about the property?
Hmmmm, looking at the enlarged photos - they left the bark on the logs that hold the place up, not a good move as it allows for bugs, decay, rot. I was wondering why the place was coming apart. The tree roots at either end of the house could also have added to the demise of the basic structure. The sinking at the left of the house is likely just from the location of the house and a poor foundation in the ground. IMHO
So its hill country with the house being built right at the downturn of the top of the hill, not the best choice of home site but the view was better. Any limestone in the area (cave formations, or foundation weakening)? Ugly butt looking fireplace, any chance it was tiled over and then the tile removed (just another curious thing about the home). Then the cut stones at the downhill side of the house, a natural weak point and of course it is failing. A few flaws to the design of the home, not the best place for a brick home. Lathe and Plaster inner wall construction, likely no insulation but maybe a hiding place was devised, be tough to detect with all the nails but if a really solid hit of a metal object could indicate something interesting.
Should have an outhouse somewhere, actually several of them. Garbage Dump? Would the house had garbage truck/wagon service?? If not then there is a dump site somewhere, some bottles are valuable, drone time again!
Place is heading for being dangerous. Likely the attic has been picked clean, still with the help of that Deus in the field you might find something up there. Remember, it was not uncommon for people to hollow out a beam and put coins into the hollow.
The building that has fallen apart, was it attached to the brick home? What was it? There is a lot of wood in that foundation, it may be rotten but if not it is likely 'clear' and could fetch a good price.
What was the occupation of the first owner/builder of the home, should have been a 'pillar' of the community?!
So many questions, so few answers.................
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