Tips on finding a homestead

[boonieman]

First off, I'm no expert, but I see lots of folks on here that tell about their dreams of owning a homestead someday. I was in the same boat a few years ago until I finally bit the bullet and did something about it. I'm not rich, or even semi well off by any means, but I have bought and sold a few pieces of ground with very little money out of my own pocket. The last piece I bought I call the Boonies, cause that's exactly what it is...in the middle of nowhere but still convenient enough to town. I seriously doubt if I'll ever sell it. It's true you can find some property in the real estate ads, but there's another method that if you're willing to do a little legwork yourself can pay off. First off, I drive around and look in a rural area that interests me. I mostly look for a place that seems abandoned or hasn't been farmed for awhile. If I'm interested, or it looks promising I make a note of the location. The more you can narrow down where it is, the easier you'll be able to find out who owns it. Get mailbox addresses nearby, or names are even better, road names,etc.

Rule #1: Do NOT stop and ask neighbors who owns it. You don't want to tip your hand that your looking at a piece of property.

Then go to the county PVA office. (Property valuation admistrator or assessor) Ask to see a map of the area you are looking at. They have tons of maps showing the property lines of pieces of property in that area. If you can locate the piece you're curious about, it will have a deed book number and page number with it. (Refer to rule #1. If it is thought that a particular piece of property is for sale, word of that spreads liek crazy in small communities. Try to keep the competition at bay)

Then go to the county clerk and request a copy of the deed. This usually costs about a quarter. This deed will tell you who owns the property. The very best ones with the most potential are usually those that don't have a modern survey. Such as "40 poles to a rock on a creek bank, then 30 rods to a large oak", etc, etc. (While at the county clerk, refer to rule #1)

Once you find out who owns it, then it's a matter of finding an address, phone number, etc. About 9 out of 10 times you'll usually get turned down, but there's always that diamond in the rough waiting there. When I call, I usually say you have a very beautiful piece of property and I heard you might be interested in selling some of it. Yeah, I know, it's sort of a white lie but it usually starts a conversation. Just asking "do you want to sell it?", gives the opportunity for them to give a quick yes/no answer without even talking to you. A lot of rural folks hate developers, so you have to make it clear that you always wanted to try to farm and you're trying to find a place to get a start. There are federal agencies that will loan to new farmers at attractive rates. The thing I like to do most is a contract for deed, if the owner is agreeable. The owner doesn't have a whole lot to lose, because if you default they get their property back and also keep any money you've paid them to that point. I bought my place in 1999 for $35000. I put $2000 down on it on a contract for deed. It's 42 acres with two wells, a year round creek, a lot of walnut trees, had and old trailer that was liveable, and a big part pasture. I just had to clean it up.

That's how I found it. Might be other methods, or variations of my method that are better. I've just seen the question of "how to find?" so many times and the response is usually "check real estate listings." Just trying to help.

[fantasymaker]

Very good advice!And the best part is you are looking at what you want not whats offered.
One more clue while at the courthouse look at the tax papers they usually say where they send the bill thats a clue where to start looking for the owner and if it refers back to that falling over full of birdnests rusted out box at the place you are interested in dont cry REJOICE! Its gonna be harder to find them but its likely the payoff will be better.

[Ninn]

What a great idea. There are loads of places in that area that method might work on. We don't want to leave the area due to DH's outside job and grandchildren being here. However, we do not want to live in a trailer park all our lives either, and the trailer will be paid off in a year. Gonna start hunting around now to see what I can find. Thanks for the tip.

[Betho]

wow thanks for this advice! I never really thought of this. We won't be able to homestead for a while though I think if I can infect my husband with the bug a little more, we might do it sooner. But I've already started looking around to see what's available and I think once we narrow down an area we want to live in this will come in real handy.

[fantasymaker]

Betho where ya from? Please Oh PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE eddit you your profile so that its in your location header

[Betho]

oh sorry

Live in Loveland, COlorado at the base of the rockies but will probably end up in the ID panhandle or eastern WA... I'm originally from Snohomish, WA

[fantasymaker]

BASE?? Is that close to Loveland pass the TOP of the rockies? where ya thinking of wanting to live? its very pretty at loveland pass this time of year!

[Betho]

no the city of Loveland is just south of fort collins, it's about a 20 minute drive to the mountains.

[seedspreader]

Also as a note, many counties have all that information on the internet and you can see the platt maps, the arial sat's of it, things like soil maps are available, etc...