If you are considering starting your own homestead, the most essential item you will need is land! If you don’t already own the land you plan to construct your homestead on, you will need to seek out and select the best piece of land for your purpose. This can be a daunting task for most, but by following some simple guidelines and considerations, you can search out and acquire the piece of land that is just right for you.
Of course, a homestead typically serves multiple purposes, from raising livestock to growing tomatoes; the land must provide a means to meet the demands of your family. Here are some key items to consider when looking for that perfect piece of property to start your new self-sufficient life.
How much land should I buy?
This is likely one of the most common questions prospective homesteaders may ask. Unfortunately, it is also one that is not quite so straightforward to answer. The amount of land your family will need will vary depending on what functions your homestead must serve and how much it must produce to support you. A homestead may be hundreds or even thousands of acres, though even a hundred acres may be too much for your own purposes. For a small family, 10 acres could be all you need, or maybe even less. As a minimum guideline, consider at least one acre of land per family member, as well additional acreage to support any fruit/nut trees, structures or livestock you may require.
Zoning and Water/Mineral Rights
This is of utmost importance. If your land is not zoned agricultural, for instance, you may not be able to water your livestock from your property’s well. Pay close attention to how your prospective land is zoned, as this can severely impact what you can and can’t do on your own land, even in rural areas.
While not strictly necessary, any land you can find that also comes with any water or mineral rights is a huge bonus. For example, in today’s world, larger water districts from nearby cities will monitor and often restrict how water from surrounding rural areas is used. Imagine how detrimental this could be for your would be homestead if you found out you had to truck in all of your water for farming and livestock.
Access
It may seem silly, but many first time homesteaders find themselves in a situation where they can’t access their own land. One of the terms for this type of property is “landlocked”, and it can put a huge damper on your plans. You may decide you need fifty acres to support your new lifestyle and find a great deal on a piece of property. This great deal could be due to the fact that there is no way to access it by land. That is to say, your property may be surrounded by neighboring property without any easement for putting in a driveway. How are you supposed to come and go to your own farm? Most of us don’t have helicopters on standby to take us to the market or doctor’s office.
If you do find an attractive property that is landlocked, don’t just turn a blind eye. You may be able to work an agreement with the neighboring land owners; just make sure you will be able to have all the comings and goings a small homestead may need without upsetting those that could put an end to it.
Quality of Land
It wouldn’t do you much good to own a hundred acres of rock and granite if you’re trying to farm the land. Soil testing could be tricky on a large parcel of land prior to purchase, but you will need to know if the land can support your needs. If you do decide to have the soil tested, try not to get too hung up on pH levels, for instance, and instead focus on whether there are high or concerning levels of metals such as lead. You can always prepare soil prior to planting a crop; what you can’t do is turn granite into a suitable corn field.
Other Considerations
You may want to consider other practical, but not so obvious factors as well.
What kind of predators does the area have? Will you need to provide special protection for your livestock, domesticated animals or even yourself and family members?
What about other natural resources? When living on a homestead, resources (and knowing how to utilize them) are crucial. For example, as time goes on, homesteaders almost always find the need to add more structures to their property for storage, livestock or any number of uses. As a homesteader, your income may be fairly limited and purchasing all of the raw materials to build a new structure could tap the bank. However, if your land has plenty of mature pine or fir trees, much of your lumber costs could be eliminated if you add a small sawmill to your homestead. Having a small body of water on your land is also another natural resource that could provide a temporary alternative water source if there are ever problems with your well.
How will you use your land? If you want to raise a hundred head of cattle, a small 50 acre mountain property full of sage and rocks just won’t cut it.
There are many more examples, and as you take time to consider your family’s unique needs, these considerations will become more apparent.
While there are many things to consider when selecting a piece of land for your future homestead, the best property seeking advice is this: Be patient and deliberate and you will find the piece of land that is just right for you and yours.
