| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| N Marie |
Posted - Apr 13 2008 : 1:17:12 PM
Hi, everyone.
I'm just barely starting out in life, 23 and still in school (thanks, Mama and Dad!). I'm just wondering, what do you think it takes to make it to the point where one can afford a homestead of their own?
I've been dreaming of having a bit of earth of my own for as long as I can remember, and I think I'm not asking for too much, just 5+ acres somewhere in Western Washington state. But since I've yet to start working in the "real world," I was wondering what everyone thinks I should do to start working towards that goal. I already have almost $11,000 in savings. Bo and I are also downsizing to a smaller and cheaper apartment to save some money. It's not much, but I hope it's a pretty good start.
I want to live in Washington state [read: expensive], and I've been looking at the USDA website and some real estate pages, but there's nothing available in the area I want that's less than $700,000-1million. There's no way I'll EVER be able to afford something like that after interest and inflation, I'm not working right now so I can't qualify for a mortgage, and it starts to make me feel like it's hopeless. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
The Age of Discovery in a Nutshell:
-I claim this land in the name of England.
-You can't claim it, we live here!
-Do you have a flag?... |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lacisne88 |
Posted - Jul 22 2008 : 5:08:54 PM
Oh wow Marie! This is so cool! I am 20 and I go to school in Seattle! This is so exciting! And your question totally pertains to me as well. All I want is some land-it doesn't have to be a ton...just about the same as you 5+ acres would be perfect!
Chelsey |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Jul 22 2008 : 2:06:46 PM
Hi Marie:
Sounds like whatever you decided you are headed in the right direction. You are wise, indeed! Stay in school, get your degree or degrees. Good idea on getting the smaller place to live. Think positive!!!! Maybe buy a used house and move it to land you buy. It's such fun fitting an old place up. Remember, where there's a will, there's a way. So nice to see you thanked you mom and dad. Take care. Much luck on your dreams. Dreams DO come true, Marie.
Marly |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Jul 19 2008 : 11:16:40 AM
Best of luck to you.
Best Growing |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jul 19 2008 : 10:19:14 AM
Laurie,
Thank you! I've already done many of the things you've mentioned, but it's nice to know I'm going about it the right way. I've already thought about all the things I want/need/can live without (and what wants I can sacrifice to meet my needs).
My Dad is an electrician by trade, but now owns his own business building and selling houses, so he can help me with planning and design if I get an empty piece of land, or with remodeling if I get land with an older house (it's also nice knowing what building/decor supplies are cheaper right now!) I've thankfully already got a lot of furniture, mostly family hand-me-downs, and a few choice items from IKEA (I love my solid pine table and my couch!), and some other pieces that my parents have in storage for me to have someday. I also know how to build some pieces of wood furniture, and my Dad can help with that, too.
I've talked with a friend who knows everything there is to know about any kind of animal, and she and I discussed how some animals are less cost-effective to raise on a small scale, like cows (though I will have one little milk cow, for my own use.) Chickens are a must, and I know that I can butcher them myself if need be. I also have been trying different locally-grown veg. to see what I like enough to grow for myself. I talk to farmers at the markets, and ask them how difficult each item is to produce (I recently learned that, in city, you can have a bee hive on your roof, so that way the bees don't bother anyone, and city-dwellers can produce their own honey!)
I've heard of so many people having problems with their loans (losing them, new bank buying the loan and raising the rates, banks charging twice in one month!) that there's no way I'm signing anything without advice from a lawyer, and unless I'm absolutely comfortable with the terms.
I've pretty much got most of the bigger decisions, now it's just a matter of saving enough money to make it happen... and wait out this recession
Farmgirl #181
Blue-collar born and raised, and dang proud of it!
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
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| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Jul 19 2008 : 06:27:57 AM
Good for you for already having a savings. I waited until I was 40 before I bought my first house, in part because I did not know where I wanted to live. Also talk to who you think you might go through for your mortgage. Many times your loan gets sold afterwards. I've been with Wells Fargo for every and they keep their loans. Other folks may have different experiences. As a first time home buyer there are different options. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. When you buy a home, in the end you will pay twice due to interest. I am working with mine to place another large chunk of money down to lower my payment. I don't have to do a refinance, but just a recalculation.
The biggest thing to remember is that whatever you put down on your house, you will need half again as much for immediate purchases. There will be areas that need painting, a few repairs, maybe furniture. Then it is also good to have a little more aside to live on. I made sure my pantry was well stocked and that for several months I could live out of it with only a few trips to the store. If you get a homestead, you'll want to be getting a few animals, chickens, goats, whatever you want. That is a cost you should figure. Don't let this overwhelm you! As I said as first time home buyer you may not be required to but a large amount down, but make SURE, ABSOLUTELY SURE to get a fixed rate. That is what is hurting so many folks right now.
It can be a bit overwhelming but doing your homework will put your mind at ease. What do you need now, what can wait a few years. Someone else mentioned having a job in place. Good idea.
Best of luck, Laurie
Best Growing |
| emtfarmer |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 8:36:21 PM
Marie, Kelli, Mary,
Thank you for your thoughts and encouragement. I've been busy the last couple of days cleaning and trying to downsize (with not much luck) so the canning I'd planned to do, didn't work out. But Mary, you are right about doing all those "country" things in the present and not wait for the future. I took a week off from work and had my days planned out--clean out kitchen cabinets one day, clean closets next day, etc. Whew...I'm going to have to go back to work just to get some rest. Whoever said they would be bored if they ever retired...well, I can't imagine!
Thanks again and I encourage each of you, too!
Darlene
"Learn CPR...you may one day save a life." |
| Buffalomary |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 8:07:13 PM
For some of us the journey has a few more curves and just takes a little longer. I'm in my 50's as well and have just recently bought a place that will let me do at least half of what I want to. I still don't have my place in the country (trying to stay close to my parents and grandma, whom I help), but I do have a what is considered 2 city lots and the back "lot" is becoming my garden/farm!! There are neighbors on both sides of me with roosters, so next year I will be getting some chickens to join in. I have also found out that I am in the light industry zoned section, so it gives me a little more flexibility for some stuff!! I just can't have the goats I want, have to have at least an acre - boo hoo  .
My suggestion is to start doing little things. My ex's idea of a homestead was totally different from mine, so it didn't happen the way I had hoped. But I kept trying to have a garden, had goats a couple times, learned how to make butter, cheese, and yogurt. I grew up canning, so I kept it up. I also learned how to dry produce and jerky.
Saving money is great, but start doing little things now. You will have a lot to do once you get out on your place, learn what you can now, have a garden even if it is just in containers to start. Get your hands on produce to can, freeze, or dry. Build a solar box and use it to cook your meals. Read everything you can get your hands on even if you don't think it pertains. Its amazing how one little sentence will come back to you later on when you are trying to solve a problem. You will be amazed at how things will start to come together for you. Be open for unusual possibilities.
Good luck on your search!!!
You can take the farmer's daughter off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the farmer's daughter!! |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jul 17 2008 : 8:05:39 PM
Kelli:
Actually, I can't stand those huge, McMansion type houses/townhomes. I love cute, quaint, little bungalow-style homes (notice how I say "home" versus "house.")
Some examples of what I mean:
http://www.rosschapin.com/Plans/Cottage/Hilltop/Hilltop.html
http://www.rosschapin.com/Plans/Houses/Kaleah/Kaleah.html
But my favorite, so far, is this one (with some alterations, of course! Daddy raised a good little architect.)
http://www.architecturaldesigns.com/small-house-plan-3435vl.asp
Farmgirl #181
Blue-collar born and raised, and dang proud of it!
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
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| kelliraeb |
Posted - Jul 17 2008 : 6:44:01 PM
WOW! I live in Michigan, where real estate is still reasonable. I watch television shows all of the time and I cannot imagine how people afford to buy homes that are so expensive. But they do, and you will too. Keep on saving and planning.
Kelli |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 8:24:35 PM
Aw, Darlene. *giggle* Thanks, I try.
I like to think (in my whole 23 years of experience and wisdom) that you're never too young [to knit/wear shawls] or too old [to learn to surf/buy a home] to do anything.
I hope, when I'm your age, my man and I are as happy as you and your man seem to be. To you, I offer an ancient Greek blessing: "Upon touching sand, may it turn to gold."
Farmgirl #181
Blue-collar born and raised, and dang proud of it!
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
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| emtfarmer |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 8:15:37 PM
I've enjoyed reading these posts on "realizing the dream". As you can tell by the number of posts, I'm very new to the chat room and I, too, am looking for the 5+ acres here in central North Carolina. While land prices (depending on exactly what area) are not totally out of reach, I have seen them steadily rise.
The issue with me is that I am not young, well comparatively speaking (I'm 50!) and have yet to get that parcel. It took me until my late 30s to realize that mom and dad were wrong--I didn't need a man in my life to help me financially and to lead me in his dreams. So when I did get married (for love) to someone wanting the same things as I, life became a crap shoot. Job layoffs, relocations due to job changes, etc. have made the last several years financially tough. We are just now in jobs we really enjoy and can now begin to save and look for our dream home (a small "structure" with lots of land suits us!).
Anyone else out there been in a situation like this? Is it too late to follow my dream? My husband and I both are in good health, have fun together, and enjoy life with our friends--and our four cats! I guess I'm just looking for encouragement.
To you that have posted in this forum, congrats on saving early and realizing the importance of following your heart and your dream. You are wiser than you realize.
Darlene |
| iloveprims |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 2:58:07 PM
I think it's awesome that you are savings, when I was your age that was the last thing on my mind so I admire you. On that note, your young and there is nothing wrong with wanting AND having your own bit of earth, shoot I am 35 and while I have my own home I want bigger and more land.
First just do your research and keep on savings, your already doing an awesome job.
http://wantingtobeme.blogspot.com |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 10:31:35 AM
I don't know much about that but I live in Arkansas and there are booklets the state sends out here with land listed that people stopped paying their taxes on and are up for auction or sale. It's pretty inexpensive down here in some areas but I live in a town so I really don't know what land is going for per acre. I don't think it is always great farmland as it is pretty rocky where I am in the North/Ozarks but there are a lot of cattle farms here and they seem to do real well.
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 10:27:54 AM
I'm worried that a new Depression is going to hit, so I'm not even bothering trying to get a mortgage right now. Once all of this nonsense calms down (the war, rising cost of living, banks freaking out) then I'll start looking.
Farmgirl #181
Blue-collar born and raised, and dang proud of it!
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
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| carolbrigid |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 08:01:36 AM
Hi Kate, I wanted to thank you for the information about the Farm Credit Bureau. I'm going to visit their website today and see what they have to offer a poor single urban woman in the way of assistance. Well, I'm not poor but with the rising cost of everything and my salary remaining the same, it's all catching up to me..... thanks again for the suggestion. I would definitely buy really small, because that's all I want and need.
Marie, I hope you did well on your finals. Let us know!!
Farmgirl Hugs,
Carol
Farmgirl Sister #222
Member, Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter |
| farmgirlkate |
Posted - Jun 05 2008 : 07:25:43 AM
Good luck Marie! math bites, so I feel your pain. (((Hugs)))
"You only have what you give..."" |
| carolbrigid |
Posted - Jun 05 2008 : 07:08:41 AM
Oh Marie, I do know how you feel - math was never my thing. I always had trouble with it. I'll say a prayer for you that things turn out well. I love your idea for an organic cafe and yarn shop! How cool is that?? It would be great. Good luck with the finals!!!
Farmgirl Hugs,
Carol
Member, Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 10:29:56 PM
I have checked them, but I'm still nowhere near ready to make that kind of leap. I'm still in school, and honestly not quite ready for something that huge. I'm still trying to keep believing that I can someday own my own yarn cafe (an organic cafe and yarn store, all rolled into one!) Sometimes I wonder...
But, now's not a good time to be reconsidering life goals. It's finals week, and I'm very worried about my math class. Suffice it to say that I could have been a bit less lazy this quarter, and the professor and my classmates have been a nightmare!
So, yeah. Really bad time to question my dreams, seeing as my sanity is hanging by a thread as it is. Hahaha... haha... ha. Wish me luck, ladies. I'm really gonna need it.
Farmgirl #181
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
Save our oceans! Eat more prey fish!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070624132617.htm |
| carolbrigid |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 8:35:08 PM
Marie, Oh my goodness you ROCK!!! Have you checked out any of the sites you listed yet? I can't wait to see what they have to offer. Maybe some hope... thank you so much for listing those! And thank you to all you farmgirls who gave me information, suggestions, and hope. I'll get there and I don't care if it's one acre. That would be like a mountain to me...
Marie, you should be so proud of yourself, saving all that money for a downpayment, and following your dream!!! Never lose sight of that dream and you will get your farm...
Farmgirl Hugs,
Carol
Member, Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter |
| farmgirlkate |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 1:23:25 PM
Hi marie-I just wanted to pat you on the back for all you've done to follow your vision. I think it's great. I don't live in your area, but I do know you're in a very trendy place to be, which as you have already found out translates into $$$$$. Keep saving and I do hope you're doing something with your savings so it's working for you instead of just sitting around. I suspect you may have to buy and sell a time or two before you find or are able to afford your dream, but who knows. Patience is a virtue as they say. Good luck!
Carol, I am not aware of anything at the moment that provides grants. I do know the farm credit bureau is available to help with loans and I do know there are certain programs that help you do certain things once you actually own property. You might call your state's ag extension service and see if they have any suggestions. You also might start off with something small that is owner financed (that's what we did) and buy and sell your way up.
kate
"You only have what you give..."" |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 12:33:19 PM
Haha, actually, Jeannie, I just happened to get an insurance check when I wrecked my first car (it wasn't hard. It was a Ford Focus. Those things are built like tin cans. It was scary, 15-25 mph collision and it was destroyed!), then a few months later my parents gave me $2000 for whatever I wanted. I automatically told them, "Beginning of a down payment on a house!" instead of "That new dress and those shoes and blah blah blah." I could have really gone to town with that kind of monies. It burned a hole in my pocket all the way to the bank.
Now, I've gained almost $1000 in interest, plan to switch to a better bank with higher interest rates, and drive a Jeep Wrangler (heh heh. Just try to dent my bumper. It's made of steel!) and only drive it a few times a week (Bo has it the rest of the time, which is fine, because then only one of us is paying for gas instead of both.)
And, I've been making meals almost entirely from ingredients in my [well-stocked] cupboards, and buying fresh stuff at the neighborhood farmer's market. That's a heck of a lot cheaper than eating out all the time, which I used to do, and I get to practice and perfect my cooking skills. I made banana bread from some yogurt that needed to be used up, and it was delicious. Bo ate over half of the loaf before I even got one bite!
Yeah, I'd say being frugal is the best thing I ever did for myself. Now if only I could find a thrift store with as many hidden fabric treasures as everyone back east, then I'd have a new wardrobe for pennies. I'd be walking in high cotton!
Farmgirl #181
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
Save our oceans! Eat more prey fish!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070624132617.htm |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 12:19:04 PM
Buy small and grow large. If you start out with only one acre (and if you look, you can find one you will be happy in for awhile), and get some equity built up, then you can upgrade to more acres. Hubby and I started out in a small house, and it allowed us to enlarge. There is no way we could have just jumped into the big time unless we had an inheritance or something! And keep being a saver! Nothing is so great as that - it just takes time to reap the benefits of a frugal lifestyle, but it happens. Look at where you are already!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 12:14:22 PM
Betty, I lived more than half of my existence in Yakima, so I know ALL about how arid it can be. Can't stand that kind of summer heat anymore.
That's why I moved to Seattle, and why I'm looking at property in the surrounding counties.
Oh, and in Monday's paper, the front page showed plans for new vertical urban farms. It was the weirdest thing, but a great idea. (If you look closely at the computer-generated image, you can see a picture of American Gothic on the outside of the elevator shaft!)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365448_urbanfarming02.html
Farmgirl #181
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
Save our oceans! Eat more prey fish!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070624132617.htm |
| Betty J. |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 12:08:18 PM
According to Suze Orman, WA is the cheapest state to live in. Of course, one doesn't farm in downtown Seattle, but here on the East side of the state (read arid) there are lots of small farms and lots of big ones too. Since we only are taxed on our ability to spend and not on our earning capabilities, it is much cheaper than those states that are taxed both ways.
Just my two cents worth.
Betty |
| N Marie |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 12:05:48 PM
Carol, I've got nothing but time to do the research, just not the funds to actually get started. Haha! So here's what I've found so far, hope this helps!
The Small Farm Resource
http://www.farminfo.org/
USDA Rural Development Home Page
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
American Farmland Trust
http://www.farmland.org/default.asp
Women in Sustainable Agriculture
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/attranews_0306.html
Center for Rural Affairs: Funding Sources
http://www.cfra.org/resources/beginning_farmer/fundingsources
Farmgirl #181
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
Save our oceans! Eat more prey fish!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070624132617.htm |
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