I'm no expert and am in no position to tell you what steps to take, but I can relate how hubby and I did our
transition to homesteading and what I would do
differently if we did it again.
First thing we did was decide was what region we wanted to move to, then go there are check it out intensely. After many false starts, we decided upon our present area, Ka'u district on Hawaii's Big Island. Funny thing, it wasn't anywhere near the top of the list when we started out. Actually, it wasn't on the list at all. But after a trip to see a live volcano before settling down, we accidentally discovered that this region fit all our criteria except for price. But we were able to work around the price issue by appealing directly to land sellers in order to find an affordable price and a private short term loan. By posting messages and talking with every
real estate office about wanting to create a homestead, wanting to care for the land and protect it, wanting to dedicate it long term to rural agricultural, we found people willing to
sell us nice land. We found a great 10 acres and bought it, only to discover that we would have building issues with the county because we were not family with the adjacent CPR owners (the sellers were not aware of this hurdle when they sold it). Rather than go the long legal fight route, we instantly found a buyer and then another even more wonderful piece of land, where the owner was willing to sell privately at a decent price and hold part of the note. (We delayed moving so that we could keep our mainland jobs and pay off most of the land note.) Wow. I was amazed that these deals can be done. They are out there if you appeal to the landowners. Just broadcast your message and see what develops.
Our land was pretty undeveloped except for a tool shed and a roughed out
shelter &
water catchment tank. But it was enough to protect us from the weather. If it hadn't been there, then we were planning on erecting a tent
cabin to live in. Used RVs are seldom for sale here and are expensive even if junk. I know of people who bought Costco sheds and erected a large tarp roof over top them for protection. The weather is mild enough here for that arrangement to be livable for years while you build your house.
What we concentrated on first was building our house and clearing land. While I believe they were worthy endeavors, I would do things a bit differently if I had to do it over again. It was discouraging not to be having little successes along the way. It was just hard work. So instead I should have do things to reward myself while I was busting my butt. I should have gotten 2-3 chickens so that we could be having our own fresh eggs every morning. I should have planted some veggie plants, even if they were only in 5 gallon buckets. I should have planted
fruit trees.
We didn't need jobs right off, which was a major plus considering our chosen location. Jobs are scarce here. Hubby eventually got a
job and I developed a network system for trading for food. I should have grown out a few lambs or piglets earlier on for trading purposes. Plus added more hens for eggs. Eggs are great for trading in my area. And grown more extra veggies for selling. But I was too busy concentrating on the house. Looking back, the house could have waited to be finished. I should have developed the farm income/trading system first. But I did it in reverse, so our house is almost finished but my farm income is in the early steps.
I don't regret one iota about taking the plunge. If it hadn't worked out, then I would have just regrouped a tried again. I have seen people here set up nice rural lives even starting out with little cash. Many started as caretakers for absentee owners. Others started out being caregivers to elderly land owners and making arrangements to lease part of the land to build their mobile mini-homes and create gardens, keep livestock. Others started as wooffer type arrangements which morphed into farm managers and land leases. And with all the foreclosures, I've seen where people have gotten the banks to install them as property care tenders, giving them a decent place to live. And once you're living in a location, you have the opportunity to broadcast your interest in acquiring land. Thus you have your toe in the door before a real estate agent when a desirable piece of land becomes available. Since moving here, I've seen dozens and dozens of situations where owners are thinking about selling or leasing and don't want to put it into the hands of a realtor.
Here's wishing you good fortune on your adventure!