The Ultimate Guide to Picking Your Long-Term Homestead

Choosing a long-term property for your homestead is different than buying a typical home. Your homestead doubles as a working asset that should sustain you for decades. Every decision you make about land quality, access to water, zoning, and more will directly impact your ability to farm, build infrastructure, and access financing.

Now that farmland values are appreciating faster, it’s more important than ever to scrutinize your options. If you’re in the market for a forever home that will also be your homestead, follow these tips to make the best choice.

1. Avoid a home that requires extensive renovations

As the low interest rates seen during the pandemic fade into history, American home buyers have shifted away from starter homes and are focused on finding a forever home. This is a wise move when your goal is to create a homestead. If you buy a fixer-upper, you’ll save money upfront, but you’ll be stuck paying more on the back end for renovations. Not to mention all the time you’ll need to sink into the project before you can even start building your homestead.

While it’s true that you’ll pay more for a move-in-ready home, it’s worth it. In fact, that’s exactly what most Americans are willing to do in order to avoid the cost and inconvenience of fixing up a home. A Rocket Mortgage® survey found that 59% of home shoppers would be willing to go over budget for a home that doesn’t need any renovations.

The less work you need to perform to make your home livable, the sooner you can move in, which means building your homestead faster.

2. Check septic regulations first

In some areas with poor drainage or a high water table, the city won’t allow you to build a septic system, and that’s going to make it much harder to build your homestead. Some areas won’t even allow nontraditional mound septics. You’d be surprised to learn how many people buy land and overlook this one detail. If you’re buying land in a rural area where no city sewer hookups are available, making this mistake will throw a wrench in your plans. Make sure you get specifics from the city regarding the address you’re looking to buy. Septic regulations can differ by property, even on the same block.

3. Prioritize soil analysis

Before buying any property, soil analysis is critical. Soil quality will influence your ability to grow vegetables and sustain your livestock. Loamy soils with adequate nutrients and a balanced texture are better than clay and sandy soils. You don’t want to rely on manufactured potting soil because it lacks nutrients, degrades quickly, and is prone to creating anaerobic conditions that cause rot.

A standard soil test will reveal pH levels, nutrients, and any contaminants that may be present. From there, you can decide if it’s worth making soil amendments or searching for another property.

4. Verify your water rights

Even when you have a well on your property, some areas restrict water usage for irrigation and livestock. Check your water rights to see if there are any restrictions in place and check pending legislation as well.

5. Skip everything governed by an HOA

HOAs – no matter how small – will derail your homesteading plans at some point. Most HOAs don’t allow recreational vehicles even in the country, and building fences around property lines is often banned. Outbuildings like barns, chicken coops, and sheds are usually banned as well. As you build out your homestead, you’ll need the freedom to build extra structures and fence in your livestock in ways an HOA won’t approve.

6. Prioritize pantry space

If you plan on canning your own food and creating a supply stash, you’ll need a big pantry in the house. Cellars are great, but a pantry is easily accessible.

If a home you’re looking at has a decent pantry or a closet near the kitchen that can be used as a pantry, that’s going to be a huge plus and might even be the deciding factor when choosing between several options.

Your forever home awaits

Choosing a long-term homestead is easier when you know what you’re getting ahead of time. Take the time to test the soil, verify your legal rights, and prioritize the interior features you need to thrive. The right choice will make your homestead a sustainable foundation for decades of growth and fun.