Are You Ready To Buy A Farm?

In most areas of the country, the real estate business has been in a slump these past few years. Certainly some areas, such as La Jolla, California, continue to enjoy strong housing markets. If you've tried to sell property, you probably haven't had much luck. On the other hand, if you plan to buy a house and/or land,  the time could be now.

It's important to know exactly what you want in a piece of property as well as how you intend to use that property. Maybe you have visions of a peaceful farm, far away from the noise and chaos of a city. Before you plunk down a deposit on your dream farm, though, you'd be wise to make a list of features that are must-haves for you and your family. Some things to consider are:

Structures: Houses, barns, sheds -- does the property you're looking at offer all of these that you need right away? If you plan to build any of those structures later, does the land allow for the size and design you have in mind?

Water: Is there a working well on the property? A spring or creek?

Neighbors: The farms and residences nearest to you will have a significant impact on your quality of life. Be sure you visit each of them before making a final decision to get a feel for the level of cooperation you might expect, as well as for any nuisances that might pop up.

Access to resources: While living in isolation may be your goal, it isn't necessarily practical. If your farm is accessible only by a 20 mile stretch of dirt road, it won't be easy to get to an emergency room. If your preferred lifestyle includes eating at high-end restaurants several times a week, you won't be happy living an hour's drive from the nearest city.

Top Ten Things I Learned Buying a Small Farm on the  Oregon State University site  has an excellent starter piece to help you make your list.  In addition to that, you'll want to have a look at Questions to Ask When Buying a Farm.

A little planning and careful thought now about how and where you want to live will serve you well in the long run. If farm livin' is the life for you, though, don't wait much longer before making it a reality.