Central Texas Homestead Leases....

Hello folks.

I am looking to purchase property in the next 6 months in Central Texas - within an hour of Taylor TX.  This will be my eventual homestead, but that won't be for another 7-10 years.

I would like to lease out 1 or 2 chunks of maybe 4 acres each out to some folks for them to homestead (organically).  I believe permaculture minded folks would be the best - I'm confident they will respect the land and do no harm.

This would not come with any buildings, so the tenant would have to bring a tiny home or RV, however I will have whatever infrastructure is needed installed (electric/water/septic).  

I already have a normal subdivision rental house and I have fantastic tenants - I hope they remain happy enough to stay there until they are ready to buy a house of their own.  I want to replicate that success for this endeavor and find the perfect tenants that end up being my neighbors/community when I eventually move to this land.

Being honest, my primary motivator is to generate some income to offset the interest I will be paying on the property.  However, just like with my rental property, I want to work with folks in ways that benefit both of us.  I want both sides to feel like they are getting a great deal!  Even better if we can improve society as a whole.

I would like to get feedback from you folks.....

- What kind of land would you like best?  Bare land, heavily treed, sparse trees, trees surrounding the leased area?
- What are some things you would be concerned about if you were considering leasing out a space like this for homesteading?
- What are some things that might make this especially appealing?
- If you were interested in such an endeavor, what would you be willing to pay?
- What are some things I have to watch out for?

Even if you'll never be in the position to do this, you feedback would be appreciated.  It will help me find the best property that will meet my needs and make this little dream come true.

If you are seriously interested in this, please send me a message.  In the best of circumstances, I could find folks who are really interested in this and we could search for the right property together and figure out the desired homestead areas together so that any clearing, driveways, and/or setting up of utilities could be done thoughtfully with an end user in mind.

Thank you in advance!

I would like to get feedback from you folks.....

- What kind of land would you like best?  Bare land, heavily treed, sparse trees, trees surrounding the leased area?
- What are some things you would be concerned about if you were considering leasing out a space like this for homesteading?
- What are some things that might make this especially appealing?
- If you were interested in such an endeavor, what would you be willing to pay?
- What are some things I have to watch out for?


I just came across your post. I am actually surprised that you haven’t had any responses. I personally would love something like this. I am actually looking for this in the area I live up near DFW.
So to answer your questions.
- I personally love trees. I would want trees near the house site especially being here in Texas we need that shade.
- I guess my concerns would be if I could bring my animals. I have goats, sheep and chickens. So that would be a good thing for both parties to talk about.
- Things that would make your property appealing to me would be a lot of tree cover, a well and being able to grow a garden and have my animals there.
- I have no idea how much this type of arrangement should cost. I would hope less than what I currently pay in rent.

I had property in Central Texas near where Michele is describing.  Dear hubby hated it so I bought way out in the boondocks ...

Yolanda to answer your questions buy property that already has water and electricity as those are big money expenses, something with a house maybe even a fixer upper are great.

Most land sales do not include a homestead as they are either raw land or land and a house.  No animals included.

Just keep looking as there is something out there with your name on it ...

I know where 10 acres are for sale (no utilities), and soon a 1.73 acres plot will be listed (2 bed house -- greenhouse if you let me stay on the property).   On the 1.73 there is a well, but it goes dry during drought, so there is also a large tank.   Its a little extra effort to have water flowing there.

I support the permaculture garden with rainwater that I collect off the greenhouse and store in 4000 gallon tank, but I'm gonna take all that with me unless the new owner has interest in it and gives me access to continue to collect and manage plants on the property.

P.S. --- Leasing can be waaaay cheaper than owning.   There's a 250 acre wheat field next door to the 1.73 acre property being leased for $1000 / year.   The owner just wants to maintain the AG exemption

...to answer your specific questions:

Michele Messina wrote:

- What kind of land would you like best?  

High ground west of I-35 ... there are reasons, we can discuss later  

Bare land, heavily treed, sparse trees, trees surrounding the leased area?  

Heavily treed ... Texas is freaking hot, climate is like the edge of a desert.   Trees are so much more valuable here than anyone realizes.  You'd be better off in a Mexican prison than an RV in Texas with no shade.

- What are some things you would be concerned about if you were considering leasing out a space like this for homesteading?  

My biggest concern is always:   "Will the owner be able to afford the property long term?"  permaculture takes time ... 3 years to begin to see any decent amount of value coming from the plants you start.  You have to work your way through pests, drought, and giving perennials time to root in.   Meanwhile the value of the land around here is doubling every 5 years or so, and being bulldozed to make room for more suburbs.   The owner has to be COMMITTED and financially viable.

- What are some things that might make this especially appealing?  

Having the land donated to a charity who's charter is to restore it as a wildlife sanctuary and never sell it.

- If you were interested in such an endeavor, what would you be willing to pay?   500/mo  ... no utilities needed, but only if I happen to not be able to find someone who understands how valuable my presence is.

- What are some things I have to watch out for?  

Septic is the county's way of preventing this sort of thing.   You will have to flip for a commercial system, and then the county will be all up in your business about how many "homesteaders" you have.   Research all the laws and requirements concerning the septic systems.   Its a national agenda to keep people like us out of the countryside.   Don't be naive about that.

... Apologies if this isn't 'allowed' as it's a touch off topic, but this is so beautiful, and wonderful and makes me incredibly want to be a Texan... I wish your Soul Sister or Twin or whatever you want to call it lived in Washington...

Uggh, I just want to hug you. I wish there were more people like you bebopping about.

Thanks for the feedback folks.  I haven't been checking in much, but it is nice to see the responses.
I'm glad to report that I have found some land and I'm under contract......but not sharing anything until it's a done deal - trying to avoid getting excited until this is done.

James Bradford wrote:...to answer your specific questions:

Michele Messina wrote:

- What kind of land would you like best?  

High ground west of I-35 ... there are reasons, we can discuss later  

Bare land, heavily treed, sparse trees, trees surrounding the leased area?  

Heavily treed ... Texas is freaking hot, climate is like the edge of a desert.   Trees are so much more valuable here than anyone realizes.  You'd be better off in a Mexican prison than an RV in Texas with no shade.

- What are some things you would be concerned about if you were considering leasing out a space like this for homesteading?  

My biggest concern is always:   "Will the owner be able to afford the property long term?"  permaculture takes time ... 3 years to begin to see any decent amount of value coming from the plants you start.  You have to work your way through pests, drought, and giving perennials time to root in.   Meanwhile the value of the land around here is doubling every 5 years or so, and being bulldozed to make room for more suburbs.   The owner has to be COMMITTED and financially viable.

- What are some things that might make this especially appealing?  

Having the land donated to a charity who's charter is to restore it as a wildlife sanctuary and never sell it.

- If you were interested in such an endeavor, what would you be willing to pay?   500/mo  ... no utilities needed, but only if I happen to not be able to find someone who understands how valuable my presence is.

- What are some things I have to watch out for?  

Septic is the county's way of preventing this sort of thing.   You will have to flip for a commercial system, and then the county will be all up in your business about how many "homesteaders" you have.   Research all the laws and requirements concerning the septic systems.   Its a national agenda to keep people like us out of the countryside.   Don't be naive about that.

Thanks for the feedback James.  If I move forward, I will definitely oversize the septic system to allow for growth.

Okay folks.  I have the property in question now!!  Woohooo. 18 acres in Buckholts, TX.  
There is a small cabin on it.  It is livable, but not the finest quarters.
I'm looking for somebody permaculture/organic minded who would be interested in leasing out either that cabin or another space where they can put a tiny home or RV along with either a couple acres.  
I'm also open to the idea of somebody renting more or most of land - the only caveat is that I have to maintain an agricultural evaluation on the property (cattle, bees, wildlife exemption) - so if somebody wanted to lease out the entire property, they would have to commit to maintaining this.

If somebody is interested in this you can send me a message here or email me at micmessina@naturesacres.org.  I'm not on here all that often, so it's best to use the email.