Building your dream homestead

[BarredBuff]

So, I am now gainfully employed. I will be living at home and will have minimal bills each week. Primarily, a car payment, and gas. I expect to be able to save at least $1,500 a month (possibly more like $1,900).

My goal is to now save up for a place of my own. I doubt this will come to fruition until at least three or four years pass. I know some of the things that I want available for the land. However, I want to know what you would look for if you were buying a place to live a self-reliant lifestyle.

What would be the make or break for the land?

What are things you MUST have on your property?

What are questions to ask realtors/previous owners?

THANKS!

 

[Chic Rustler]

I'd say credit. #1!

You need a few lines that go a few years. Without good credit you'll pay twice as much for the same property.

So if you plan on buying a home place I'd say start a few lines right now. And diversify as the years pass. Look I to some sort of savings fund thing to put money in. Make that a bill that u pay weekly no matter what.

Takes more than money to buy a place. Try to get your score up to 700 at least. Get a credit card for a year then do a personal loan etc. Takes time. Be patient and keep paying the bills

 

[Beekissed]

@BarredBuff , I hear you have been called to preach! I think that's wonderful!!!!

I also heard God got you a good job and I praise Him for it!

Reminds me of the verse...

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:6

 

[Mini Horses]

First -- list what YOU want to have. Define amount, type, location of land. Consider what you could or could not do without. House, garage, shops, barns, etc. Rarely do we find "everything" so be able to flex.

Water, mineral rights. Used to be it was a given, now with all the State laws & sales of certain "rights" you need to ask. Some areas have sold gas rights, etc.

Easements! ANY...utility, passage, deeded or not. And watch for such things a not deeded but used

If near any rivers, lakes, dams....flood plain. Check with county about type of land/soils, for any restrictions of use due to it being considered marshland, watershed, etc.

Restrictions -- deeded or by virtue of state or local zoning. this office can give you property setbacks for building, any limits on livestock (kind & numbers), tell you what acreage you need to get what you want with animals.

Perc test if septic. Some could cost a fortune to put in & maintain. Know up front. Usual well depth in the area. These can be big $$. If one there, get info on depth, water availability, quality -- test the water.

Find a good real estate agent, familiar with farms & raw land.
The seller pays their fee and they can be a true asset if good.

ALWAYS buy OWNERS title insurance. That required by lenders is for them, expand to owners. Cheap & one time expense. Saves a loss of property if anyone "shows up from the past" with an unrecorded deed, wrong signatures, etc., etc.


Sounds like you have a lucrative job. Cngrats! Now you say you will be living at home and only list car payments & gas. Can't believe you will be free there. Consider helping with utilities, at least. Parents often won't ask and often need the help. Just saying.

 

[Beekissed]

It is amazing things work out! I can't wait to see how the rest unfolds!

You know, I think the world sees a Christian's life and says, "How boring! They can't do anything fun and they don't have any excitement in their lives" but they simply do not see nor can they know how incredibly exciting it is to let the Lord show you your life each day....every day is a surprise and surprising.

It's a different kind of fun...a more lasting, deeply fulfilling kind of fun, wherein you just throw up your arms, shout in glee and ride the swoops and loops of where the Lord takes you. From the outside, for those who are blind to what is happening, they can't see the fun ride that it is.

Pretty soon you find yourself chuckling over how in the WORLD did He work that out in that way???? No one but God could have pulled that off and you can't wipe the silly grin off your face over all the things He does that shows His love for you and His deep involvement in every facet of your life, if you but trust Him.

It's hard to describe, but you called it right...it's downright amazing.

 

[milkmansdaughter]

I love that peace too. That sense that no matter what's going on in the world, who the world powers are, what natural disasters are happening, or what the current situation is, theres still PEACE. People are looking for peace in all the wrong places. Peace comes from within, after we are saved.

No God, no peace.
Know God, know peace.

 

[tortoise]

I looked for an established farm >20 acres with forest for hunting. When we looked at the price of raw land or just a house on acreage versus an established farm, the established farms were a better value. Raw land up here is sold as recreational (hunting) land and sure is not cheap.

I wanted sheep and goats and bought an 80 acre farm from someone who raised sheep and goats. Everything was set up, fenced, pasture established. They left farm tools and equipment for us, fence posts, shears, ear taggers, all kinds of small things which add up quickly in money when buying new or time when sourcing them otherwise. They had established a small orchard, which we've added to, but I'm thankful I didn't have to wait a decade to get some fruit.

The hardest lesson I've learned is that money is not the only limitation. Time and energy are the most significant limitations. No matter how skilled and resourceful you are, there is only so much you can do at a time. Doing things "my way" is a strong motivator, but I'm certainly not the only person with good ideas on how to design and arrange a homestead. I'd suggest not ruling out established farms. You might get more bang for your buck, especially if you don't settle for one that isn't set up for what you want to do.

 

[Britesea]

One thing to check out if you decide on some unimproved land is whether you can install a regular septic system or will have to go with the much more expensive sand gravity filter that some places are insisting on now. We squeaked through for a septic by the skin of our teeth; the difference can be thousands of dollars

 

[BarredBuff]

@BarredBuff , I hear you have been called to preach! I think that's wonderful!!!!

I also heard God got you a good job and I praise Him for it!

Reminds me of the verse...

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:6

It is amazing things work out! I can't wait to see how the rest unfolds!

 

[BarredBuff]

You know, I think the world sees a Christian's life and says, "How boring! They can't do anything fun and they don't have any excitement in their lives" but they simply do not see nor can they know how incredibly exciting it is to let the Lord show you your life each day....every day is a surprise and surprising.

It's a different kind of fun...a more lasting, deeply fulfilling kind of fun, wherein you just throw up your arms, shout in glee and ride the swoops and loops of where the Lord takes you. From the outside, for those who are blind to what is happening, they can't see the fun ride that it is.

Pretty soon you find yourself chuckling over how in the WORLD did He work that out in that way???? No one but God could have pulled that off and you can't wipe the silly grin off your face over all the things He does that shows His love for you and His deep involvement in every facet of your life, if you but trust Him.

It's hard to describe, but you called it right...it's downright amazing.

Nothing like the joy you receive either. I live a happy and joyful life because of the hope that I have in my heart. Some people probably scoff, but I have joy and ease that is better felt than told.

He takes care of us and loves us. Much than I could ever deserve!