Looking for a homestead property that’s well-connected and surrounded by helpful neighbors?
Well, these are the most essential things that you need to ensure before choosing any property.
But, there are some specific things that you need to look out for when particularly choosing a homestead.
Even if your homestead property is well-connected and boasts a good community, there are more things that you need to look out for.
In case you don’t, you won’t be able to start your dream project as you thought.
And that’s why it’s really important that I share all these things in detail so that you don’t regret it in the future.
So, without any further ado, let me share the 13 things to look out for when choosing your homestead property!
Checklist for Selecting Your Homestead Property
1. Does It Have An Acceptable SOURCE of WATER?
Your homestead site needs to have an adequate source of water.
First, you need to check the water situation and find out if the well is adequate. If it’s not, then you need to look for alternative water sources.
Parched land isn’t ideal for homesteading, which you need to avoid purchasing.
Also, adequate precipitation and drainage play an essential role in gardening, which you need to ensure.
2. Is CLIMATE & SUN Exposure Conducive To Homestead Lifestyle?
Yes, climate and sun exposure is very much conducive to the homestead lifestyle.
You need to know the climate and check whether you should be worried about any hazards. Some examples are floods, natural disasters, pests, droughts, etc.
Also, snakes, wildlife, tornadoes, blizzards, floods, drought, and hurricanes are some common climate issues.
These are the things that you need to be safe from.
3. Is There SUFFICIENT ACREAGE for your FAMILY SIZE?
Homesteading is a wonderful way of living as you can grow your own food.
So, you need to check whether the land you are choosing is sufficient for your whole family. If you don’t get sufficient space to grow your food, that won’t make you self-reliant.
As a general rule, 5 acres of land is enough for a family of one-two people.
For a bigger family with 3-5 people, you need land of 8-10 acres.
4. What about FUTURE PROPERTY POTENTIAL?
When planning to start a homestead lifestyle, we all have certain plans and goals.
And the land we choose needs to be sufficient enough to fulfill all these goals in the future. That’s why you need to check whether the land has future potential as well.
You need to find out whether the current layout is conducive to your plans.
If yes, you can go ahead with the land you’ve chosen.
5. Does The Property Fit Into Your BUDGET (and do you have extra for unexpected expenses)?
The property you choose for homesteading needs to be in your price range. Also, you need to keep some extra amount for improvements and unexpected expenses. The first thing that you need to check is whether you can afford the land or not.
You need to figure out the general cost of living a homestead lifestyle. Also, check if the property is free of any liens or not.
6. What Potential ZONING & RESTRICTIONS Does Your Property Have?
Covenants are important when buying new homestead land.
You need to know the restrictions and insurable access of your HOAs authority well. Getting a land survey is something that’ll save you in the long run.
Zoning is essential if you’re purchasing land that was not a homestead.
Some other things to check are timber and mineral rights, development stage, location, ground level, etc. along with reasonable land costs and taxes.
7. Is The SOIL Composition Geared For Harvesting Success?
Needless to say that the quality of your homestead crops will depend hugely on the soil quality.
And you need to ensure the same by looking at the soil composition. That way, you’ll be able to know the soil type and more details.
Good soil conditions along with a good climate will foster the growth of veggies and fruits in your homestead.
Hence, it’s important that you do a thorough check of the cleanliness and drainage.
8. Does The GROWING & HARVESTING Season Provide Enough Time & Opportunity
The growing season of different crops varies depending on the cultivar and weather.
So, you must know what the growing season would be like. And you also need to know how long it usually takes to grow a certain cultivar in your locality.
This way, you’ll be able to determine the adequate growing season for each crop.
Winter is the most crucial season that you need to enquire about in the locality.
9. Do Your NEIGHBORS & COMMUNITY Seem Helpful & Want To See You Succeed?
Your neighbors can create a huge impact on the way you start homesteading.
That’s why you need to find a supportive community of neighbors without any neighborhood nuisances. You need to find out who are your neighbors and what are they like.
If you purchase a homestead surrounded by other homesteads, chances of success are more.
Also, if you’re connected with a community of farmers, that’ll be beneficial.
10. What Will POWER Your Homestead? (let there be light)
Electricity plays an important role in providing us with the convenience of living.
So, you can’t forget to check the electric power supply before choosing your homestead. For a more organic lifestyle, you can check whether you can switch to alternative sources of electricity or not.
You need to do a little research on utility companies and alternative power sources.
Internet and cell service are the two other connectivity options that you need to find out as well.
11. Am I Able to HUNT & FISH On My Property?
Your property needs to give you access to hunting, fishing, and other activities.
As a homesteader, you need to be open to the wild and therefore, you need proper land. So, searching for such an area is very essential when starting a homestead.
Even if your property doesn’t give you any access to the same, don’t worry.
Finding out an area nearby with access or otherwise, choosing the land won’t be a good idea at all.
12. How Will I Gain ACCESS To My Property?
A peaceful locality is important for a homestead but that doesn’t mean you need to go to a remote place and start living there.
Transportation and connectivity are really important for safety and convenience. That’s why you need to find a property with good access.
Checking who is the authority or contact person to take care of the road and snow is crucial.
It’ll ensure safety and comfort as you start living in that location.
13. How CLOSE Am I To The OUTSIDE WORLD?
Whether you’re planning to live a homestead life alone or with family, safety is something you can’t ignore.
And that’s why I’m mentioning again that you should analyze how far or near the property is from town. There can be medical emergencies or urgencies when you need to head to the town.
If you’re living with your family, the schooling and jobs of the other family members are important. Hence, you need to look for a property that’s well-connected to schools and offices.
SECRET BONUS: PLUS The Top 7 States For Homesteading
Here’s a list of the top 7 states in the USA that you can keep on the radar when searching for a homesteading plot.
1. Iowa
Iowa has plenty of fertile land and low property taxes, which attract a lot of budding homesteaders.
2. Wyoming
Wyoming offers low land costs and state property taxes and the best part is the simple homeschooling rules.
3. Arkansas
Arkansas features unlimited homestead exemption, a mild climate, and a very low homesteading cost.
4. Idaho
Idaho is beautiful with plenty of natural resources and it offers a low cost of homesteads.
5. Oregon
Oregon doesn’t have state sales tax and full solar net metering with a thriving homestead community.
6. Indiana
The best things about Indiana are easy homeschooling rules, solar sales tax exemption, and moderate property taxes.
7. Virginia
Virginia offers arable land, a temperate climate, and heavy rain, which makes it ideal for homesteading.
Conclusion
Finding a homestead is something that you need to reconsider many times before making a decision.
And these are the 13 things to look out for when choosing your homestead property.
As your white belt guide (from my mistakes), I can say that these will surely help you to make a wise decision.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Homestead Lifestyle Board!!
