Christine Gray

I’m not sure if this is the best forum to put this in. I’m also going to post it in the homestead forum.

I’ve been looking at a few properties and I’d value some outside perspective. These are owner financed, “raw” properties with no electricity, water or sewer. I’ve narrowed my options to 2 places.

The first property is 1 acre, it’s been cleared of most trees, and has a run down RV on it which comes with the property. The land has an overall down hill slope to it but there are a few flat spots (mainly in the area surrounding the RV). The property is close to my job. It is technically zoned residential, only 6 poultry animals are allowed, but a neighbor down the road has cows. The county has laws against living in RVs and you’re aren’t legally allowed to build unless the property is 1.75 acres and even then you have to abide by the state building code. However, I’ve contacted the neighbors, offered them treats, and they SEEM like they would keep to themselves. Emphasis on seem; I’m not 100% positive they wouldn’t snitch on me for living in an RV. If I went with this option I would want to move again in 5ish years once I could afford something more.

The 2nd property is 7.5 acres, woody, and the terrain is hilly. It is landlocked with a dirt road running past the corner of the property. I have been searching records and deed books but I have no idea who owns the land surrounding it. This property is no where near my job and I would have to find new work in area with little economic growth. The property is zoned agriculture and the county has no restrictions against living in an RV.

I have been dreaming of having a homestead for nearly a decade and I’m in a place in my life where I can afford some land albeit it on the slightly lower quality side. There’s something about the larger property that draws to me. I like the idea of having more land that I can turn into my dream homestead, but I worry about it being landlocked, getting it surveyed since the property lines aren’t clear at all, and clearing some of the land for a house. While I have a lot of skills in raising livestock and gardening I don’t know how to clear land and it would be slow to build a roof over my head.

What would you do in my situation? Also, what other things should I be considering or asking the sellers.

Thank you for advice, I’ll check around. Since I grew up during the recession I have always known that I want to avoid a lot of debt in case I ever lost my job. When I discovered the tiny house movement I knew it was a way to have a house with no mortgage and little debt. If I ever won the lottery I would also like to do that.

I’m new to this website and the ideas of permaculture and homesteading. I have read many blogs and watched lots of videos, but I haven’t had experience and I don’t know everything about this kind of lifestyle. I don’t know if this is the right forum to post this in, and I might add it to the real estate forum. I’m 18 years old and I’m staring down life full of student loans, debt, and craziness. I want to live a simpler life and focus on the important things like love and family. I’ve known about tiny houses for about 3 years, and they have been my introduction into homesteading which I have just heard about recently. I want land of my own to build a tiny house on and start a homestead, but I have no money or skills. So, what I am proposing is to work on a farm or homestead for several years, gaining hands on experience, and afterwards I have earned anywhere from 1 to 3 acres of land for my own use. For the first year or so I would also be working for room and board, but I can find part time work in a local town and save up to either pay you rent or rent an apartment or house nearby. I am a fast learner and hard worker. I am looking in the mid-Atlantic and south east regions with a preference in VA or NC.