location location location

New Roots is looking to settle down here in Michigan. Sara and I are looking at 10 acres near Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. We like it...heavily forested. The ferry can and does handle large trucks...at least their fee schedule says they do. So my 4x4 is well within the limits and we are going to have a tiny house built for us...to begin our journey.

Advice for beginners?

I have building skills and gardening skills (currently running an aquaponics unit in my garage...several banana trees growing well...carrots growing well...fish growing large. There is electricity at the road to the new property...SO there is a good possibility that I can continue to raise tilapia once the weather permits. I may switch to trout or catfish.

At first, I won't have a garage to keep them in. So my freezer will fill before we move up there and begin our journey. I've researched about who to get permits from for septic and well. I'd like to have hives and bees as well as we are going to garden on the property too.

I know research only does so much...real world experience speaks louder and that's why I am looking for.

Thanks in advance

Welcome, but research will be your best tool.
There are many stories already documented on this site.
A few questions though.
- what are you aims?
- Will you seek access to power or create your wn?
- Does the sun actually hit the ground anywhere?
- Ia water accessible?
- Have you thought of rainfall collection?
- Do you really need a Tiny House?
- Would a caravan etc work in the short term?
- what is the soil quality like?
- Is it a south facing block?
- Shape, flat steep, house site?
- On site building materials, rocks, soil, stones, trees?

My advice would be to take a ferry ride and visit the property.

Sight unseen can led to some unexpected happenings,

Is the property hilly?  Does it have road access?  Is it land locked?

Does it have access to water? electricity?

Is it prone to flooding?

There are so many variable.

Take that ferry ride, talk to neighbors, locals, etc.

If you can get permission, camp on the property at least overnight ….maybe a weekend.  That will give you tim3 to explore in detail.

I agree with these helpful replies. My best advice is focused on the tiny house, and how involved you will be on that crucial component. Have you spent enough time there to site it perfectly, for sun, wind,distance from nearby trees?  Will you finish the interior? Will it be framed before you arrive, without your close interactions with the builders?  

That is a scenic part of the north country, enjoy.