M. Scroggie

Hello,

Yesterday my brother had one of his trees cut down. He didn't want to, but it had a very bad lean towards his neighbor's house. He gave me all the wood. So, I've pullout out the pieces that I want to mill for woodworking (i.e. coffee tables, bowls, cutting boards, etc.), and for mushroom cultivating. Let me know if anyone is in the area and would like a round (or two) for their own woodworking adventures. Please plan to pick up your pieces any time before Friday evening. I'll be chopping the remainder up for next year's firewood this Saturday.

I wish everyone a great week.

I agree to some extent. I’ve talked to a couple people during the last few years that mentioned that they would love to startup a homestead, and live a simpler life (of course, in the way of societal demands – not physically). However, none of them have yet made any substantial movement towards actually obtaining that lifestyle. Instead, they declare a specific life situation to be an unpassable obstacle that prevents them from living their desired life (e.g. having a family, being single, career, etc.). Though, I do understand some situations create clear obstacle (e.g. medical conditions, etc.), and I’m sympathetic to their situation. However, there are a few other categories of people, that would like to start a homestead but don’t currently have one. The first are the individuals that say they would like to, but it’s similar to if you asked them if they would like to live on a private island with good resources. It sounds wonderful, and they would like to, but it’s just a nice concept – not something they would really attempt. In my opinion, these people don’t really count as ever really wanting a homestead… Even though they said they would like to live on a homestead. The other group, myself included, have made significant progress to starting a homestead. Though, are currently unable due to land acquisition issues. For example, over the last year I’ve purchase more than $12k (USD) worth of homesteading equipment (i.e. incinerating toilet, solar system, propane generator, power tools, etc.) and put together a written design of the house, garden and livestock space layouts. However, I’ve been unable to find a landowner willing to owner finance a homestead suitable piece of land here in Virginia. Well, what about buying an already build homestead that someone is selling. That would be great. I recently got pre-approved for a home loan, and sent them a property that I was interested in pursuing (400sqft tiny house, wooded 5 acres, septic system, well water) … Just for them to inform me that the VA (Veterans Affairs) home loan wouldn’t allow me to purchase that property because there’s a rule that states the land value can’t be higher than the house value. Meaning, I’ll have to search for a property that has a tiny house and a very small plot of land under $15K… Which in the north half of Virginia is about less than an acre. Or purchase a lager house and decent size land and be house broke for the next 30 years. If possible, I would move out of Virginia to acquire land or a homestead. But that isn’t currently an option as I have visitation days here in Virginia with my son from a previous marriage. So, I’m part of the group that says, “I would love to start and live on a homestead” – but from someone else’s prospective, I have no homestead started. This brings up the perfect time to mention, if anyone reading this has a suitable piece of land here in Virginia for sale and is willing to owner finance… Please let me know – I’m interested.

Hi Sarah,

I think we'll probably be good neighbors, but our timelines are a bit off. I'm currently on the move to obtain some property. You're right, it's nuts how much home/land prices have risen in the last five years. I've been on the search for a wooded lot for a few months now with no luck yet. I have a stable monthly income and I'm handy with building. Though, my biggest issue is locating a landowner that's willing to owner finance a piece of land that doesn't have an HOA. Well, I'm rooting for you guys. Feel free to send me a message once you get some land... I'll be more than happy to come lend a free hand with building - and I won't even give you any unsolicited advice on how I think you guys should be living your life. 😊

Hi John,

Purchasing land in the United States isn't always difficult. However, if you don't have all the cash in your bank account to purchase it out-right, then it becomes more difficult to find a landowner that is willing to accept monthly payments (i.e. owner financing). Most of our banks don't finance small pieces of land. I guess the risk isn't worth the reward for them. Also, land in Virginia tends to be pretty expensive, mostly in the north/east around the Washington D.C. area. Plus, there is a bunch of zoning codes, HOA rules, and building codes that one has to be educated on before purchasing a piece of land. If not, they may obtain land without the ability to build a functioning self-sustaining homestead on. Not mentioning if the land you purchase is "landlocked", meaning it's surrounded by other land without a legal access path onto it... then you'll be in a new type of problem. Mostly if your neighbors don't agree to let you legally cross through their land.

Hello,

I hope this post finds you well.

I’ve learned about permaculture and sustainable living less than a year going. Since then, I have been working towards turning that dream into a reality. I’ve acquired a bunch of tools, equipment, and knowledge. Now, I’m on the search for a place where I can begin to build a home. With that said, please let me know if you have any land that you’re willing to sale in Virginia (within a 100 miles of Triangle, VA). I’m searching for a piece of land that’s between one to five acres. I would prefer a mostly wooded lot that isn’t landlocked and has no HOA.  I receive a steady income and willing to make monthly payment. It seems to be difficult to get banks to finance small undeveloped lots. So, depending on the price, owner financing may be needed. I would also consider renting the right land space for a fair monthly price. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post.

Hello,

I know that it doesn't really have anything to do with woodworking. Though, I'm just throwing out the idea, another option would be to us some of the larger logs for cultivating mushrooms. Chestnut and Nameko grow very well on cherry wood. It's also reported to be compatible with Shitake mushrooms. There are many websites around that sells the inoculation tools - here's one such site... https://fieldforest.net

Best of luck.