| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 07 2011 : 12:21:49 PM
I am interested in starting my own small sustainable farm. Difficulty is that real estate laws and rules are making it more and more difficult to own larger tracts of land (10+ acres) without having a house that is absorbatively expensive. Some places in my state require that the house be 75% of the ENTIRE worth of the property. Any ideas about how to making this a reality with grants etc.? Thought I'd consult with the like minded.
I guess I should explain that I really want to build a house rather than buy an existing house, and that we are a 1 income household. My husband is deployed and in the military and I am trying to get my ducks in a row while he is gone so that WE can hit the ground running when he returns.
Thanks for any great ideas! |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| queenmushroom |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 08:39:29 AM
Centerville is near Machias in Washington County. Plenty of land for sale if you want to live where the nearest Walmart is 50 miles in either direction and the nearest upscale mall is in Bangor. Not much here for jobs either. Love it here. Glad hubby is self employed in about 3 different professions (blueberries/hay/woodsman/Jonsered chainsaw dealer), otherwise, we'd never make it. I work at the Dunkin in Machias part time.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
| Lady Woodworker |
Posted - Apr 03 2012 : 08:36:15 AM
I would love to find a small tract of land here in Maine.
I'd like to build a tiny house there.
I have been reading a few of the Tiny House blogs but they mostly discuss construction and Small House lifestyle.
Does anyone know where I can begin to learn about codes and all that? I have never bought or built a house. My dh already owned our house when I came on the scene...
By the way--Lorena--where is Centerville? I'm on the coast, near Damariscotta. It's nice to see another Mainer here.
Best,
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
| queenmushroom |
Posted - Mar 25 2012 : 07:20:59 AM
Why not purchase a piece of land with an existing house with the intent to build your own with in the next 5-10 years? Of course, don't mention this to the real estate broker or the bank. But it is just a thought. That way, you've got your property and a place to live while you are in the planning process.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Jan 23 2012 : 10:44:50 AM
Terri,
It is still HOT up here as well. It was incredibly hot last summer. It is extremely beautiful though, which is something you don't get just anywhere. Keep in touch!
Cathy |
| artfulsister |
Posted - Jan 22 2012 : 6:34:09 PM
Grace, I do like your thought a lot! I don't mind at all getting 10 or 20 acres with an existing old house. Then we could take out time planning the site to build on as we learn about solar energy and living sustainably.
Hugs,
Terri
Every day is a new opportunity for joy! |
| artfulsister |
Posted - Jan 22 2012 : 6:32:44 PM
What do you like about Asheville Cindy? I see you are in New York. I know it is cooollldd up there!
Here in Raleigh the summers are super hot. I would need to learn alot to keep my garden safe. I lived quite a while in southern California, and hence don't yet know how to garden in super hot weather all summer long. That is one reason I am interested in Asheville, as it is higher in elevation I was hoping it didn't get quite so darn hot out there.
Hugs,
Terri
Every day is a new opportunity for joy! |
| katmom |
Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 6:29:25 PM
Cathy & terri,
would it be feasible to buy land w/a 'fixer upper' old house on it that you could, at your pace, do a 'Green' remodel?
Maybe add on or?
Just a thought....
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| podsandpetals |
Posted - Jan 18 2012 : 7:09:11 PM
Keep in the back of your mind that you don't need alot of land to farm. We have 8 acres and I farm vegetables, raise chickens and grow perennials in a little over an acre of it. You can make alot of money on 1 acre of land by using it very intensively. In NC I'll bet you could easily farm year round with the help of some high tunnels.
Boy I'd love to be near Ashville! -Cindy
www.podsandpetals.etsy.com
ebay seller podsandpetals |
| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 5:43:23 PM
Hi Terri,
Will do! also keep in mind the nature of land up here. I call it vertical land. Some of it is not really functional, just vertical. I would like to live sustainably as well. I am currently researching grants etc for farms and farmland. Good luck and ask about the actual percentage. As I understand it, it varies from place to place.
Cathy |
| artfulsister |
Posted - Jan 08 2012 : 5:49:43 PM
Hi Cathy,
Asheville is one place we are thinking of for our land. I have been looking at property online, I haven't yet see any yet. There seems to be a lot of listing for the entire Asheville are. We don't have near as many here in the more eastern part of the state. I will keep in mind this percentage thing when we do go out there to look.
I too, want to build a home, a green home. We would like to live as sustainably as possible. I don't mind if it has an old house or barn on it, but eventually we would want to build.
Good luck and keep us posted : )
Hugs,
Terri
Every day is a new opportunity for joy! |
| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Jan 05 2012 : 06:14:01 AM
No, we live just outside of Asheville. The percentage thing fluctuates from place to place. I am getting started looking into things like grants and will keep you posted as well. Thanks so much to all who have posted willing to lend support. |
| artfulsister |
Posted - Jan 04 2012 : 8:22:55 PM
Hello Cathy,
I too live in NC and am just beginning to look for some land. I did not know about the percentage of house value to land. That is interesting. I am glad you mentioned it. I don't know anything about grants, so I can't help you there. I will have to check this all out now that you have brought it to my attention. If I find anything out I will let you know.
BTW, I am in Raleigh, are you over by the coast?
Hugs,
Terri
Every day is a new opportunity for joy! |
| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 2:27:13 PM
Thanks so much Audrey! I appreciate the help, and it does seem that your ducks need to be well trained regardless.  |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 10:36:09 PM
We actually bought our 40 acres with house at a real estate auction and paid probably 50% less than it's worth. Check out the foreclosed homes in your area. We bought our auction property from Fannie Mae at www.homepath.com also www.auction.com has other bank owned properties. My only advice if you go this route is make sure those ducks are not just in a row, but sitting up and saluting! It's a fast and furious pace to closing if you are the high bidder at auction.
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 09:36:42 AM
With the housing market being the way that it has gotten, ie. depreciation of land and homes, increased foreclosures, etc, lending laws have gotten convoluted. My husband and I did not overextend ourselves but seem to be paying for those who did. Moving isn't so much an option since my husband is full-time with the National Guard in NC, so we have that. Lending laws have gotten to the point that they make very little sense. I am looking for creative ways to start our farm. Thanks! |
| marthajane |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 09:26:12 AM
I don't know what kind of law that is...
but just a thought...the north and east are crowded, getting more populated...might have something to do with that.
If I lived in a state (which I actually did) which is so darned weird and particular, I wouldnt want to make my home there anyways (why I've moved).
Good luck and best wishes, I've found lots of acres in CO, CA, and the other western states...I am sure this has something to do with the "over regulated" east coast.
Happiness IS being a MOM |
