How do we find a place?

harvestmoonfarm · #1 12/26/12, 07:42 PM

Long story short, we lost our home to foreclosure about 3.5 years ago. I put a wanted ad on CL and was lucky enough to find a place with 3 acres, enough for us, our dogs, cats and chickens, and also bought a couple of goats. The owner of that place lost it to foreclosure last year, so I again placed an ad on CL and found our current home, a 64-acre farm, with the understanding that it was to be long-term (I asked ahead of time). However, when I asked the owner in July about renewing our lease, she informed us she would renew for 6 months, but that she's putting it up for sale in the spring and we have to be out by the end of March. She's asking far more than we can afford, so I've been on the hunt for another place that will allow us to keep our dogs, cats, chickens, goats and hogs (the hogs were sent our way by the current landlady earlier this year). We had a place lined up, but the owners have to come up with a large downpayment on the house they're buying, so now they're going to have to continue trying to sell. I've posted on CL numerous times, but homeowners just don't seem to want to rent to people with animals, even when the place they have up for rent has acreage. Does anyone have any suggestions on a way to find a place? I don't want to have to give up all of my animals, and would be absolutely miserable in a townhouse or apartment situation.

Batt · #2 12/27/12, 08:36 AM

I don't do facebook for a number of reasons and you have not indicated where you are located. It would be helpful if you would add your location to your header. Go to UserCP at top of page, choose details and then enter your general location.

Scott SW Ohio · #3 12/27/12, 08:47 AM

Palmyra, Virginia, looks like.

I second Batt's comment. If you offered a bit more information and posted it, maybe in Real Estate, you might find something. I have a four acre place with a pretty old farmhouse near Wilmington OH that I would sell or lease, though it's not advertised anywhere, and I'm sure there are others here with similar situations that might have a place closer to you.

harvestmoonfarm · #4 12/27/12, 10:13 AM

Thanks. I'll check out the real estate forum. We're just trying to get into a place we can call home, and it's just so stressful to try to find a place when you have animals.

ronbre · #5 12/27/12, 11:02 AM

where my son is working I was online looking for places for him and I found a lot of take over lease, take over payments, land contracts and even homes for less than $30,000 with land..so there is property out there.

this was in Michigan but I'm sure all areas have some things available.

harvestmoonfarm · #6 12/27/12, 11:35 AM

The area of Virginia we live in has crazy high prices because we are close to Charlottesville and Richmond. When the farm we are currently renting goes on the market, she's going to list it for $525,000, and this house was built in 1900 and needs some major renovations. That should give you an idea of the price dilemma we're dealing with. Rent out here is outrageous as well - $1200/month for just about anything with land, which is what we're currently paying.

motdaugrnds · #7 12/27/12, 01:14 PM

harvestmoonfarm, are you set on staying in that same area (job, family or friends, etc.)?

We live not too far north of Danville, VA and there are 2 tracts across the creek from us (5-6 acre tracts total of about 11 acres) that has never been built on. The owner lives in New Jersey. I asked him a few years ago if he was willing to sell it and he said yes; but his asking price was around $18,000 for both and he wouldn't divide the tracts. If you're interested, pm me and we can talk further.

harvestmoonfarm · #8 12/27/12, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

harvestmoonfarm, are you set on staying in that same area (job, family or friends, etc.)?

We live not too far north of Danville, VA and there are 2 tracts across the creek from us (5-6 acre tracts total of about 11 acres) that has never been built on. The owner lives in New Jersey. I asked him a few years ago if he was willing to sell it and he said yes; but his asking price was around $18,000 for both and he wouldn't divide the tracts. If you're interested, pm me and we can talk further.

We have to stay in this area due to my husband's job, and we also need something that already has a house. Thanks, though!

Jokarva · #9 12/28/12, 07:22 PM

Have you checked with a local Realtor? We have rental properties ( none in Va though....too bad) but have never posted them on CL, we've always used realtors/property managers.

Good luck! We have 6 cats (down from 10) and I can't imagine the problems we'd face looking for a rental.

harvestmoonfarm · #10 12/28/12, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jokarva

Have you checked with a local Realtor? We have rental properties ( none in Va though....too bad) but have never posted them on CL, we've always used realtors/property managers.

Good luck! We have 6 cats (down from 10) and I can't imagine the problems we'd face looking for a rental.

The dogs and cats aren't the biggest issue; it's the livestock, especially the pigs. Thanks for the tip!

ChristieAcres · #11 12/28/12, 08:01 PM

It would be good to post another thread in the Real Estate Forum, too. Another option would be to look for non-owner occupied farm properties. Do some research and you might get lucky. If your credit issues are resolved, definitely look into working with Property Management. Otherwise, any Realtor or Agent can pull up all the rental listings on the MLS. Not all will be on there, of course. Zillow also lists rentals...

Dusky Beauty · #12 12/28/12, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harvestmoonfarm

We have to stay in this area due to my husband's job, and we also need something that already has a house. Thanks, though!

Unfortunately you are probably going to have to widen your search radius to as long a commute as your DH can handle to improve your options. Around an hour of drive time is not unreasonable for a rural commute for most folks on this board I am guessing.

harvestmoonfarm · #13 12/28/12, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusky Beauty

Unfortunately you are probably going to have to widen your search radius to as long a commute as your DH can handle to improve your options. Around an hour of drive time is not unreasonable for a rural commute for most folks on this board I am guessing.

He drives an hour and a half from where we are currently.

Dusky Beauty · #14 12/28/12, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harvestmoonfarm

He drives an hour and a half from where we are currently.

Dang Harvest.... unless he's raking it in like a Dakota Oil salary I would seriously consider a move and a transfer or a new job in your shoes... sounds like your income is on the bleeding edge of affording your family the lifestyle you want. :/

We've made the decision to accept less money in an area with a lower cost of living before

scary, but for us it was the right choice.

tinknal · #15 12/28/12, 10:24 PM

I think you need to rank your priorities. You are going to have to give up something. Make the cold hard decision.

harvestmoonfarm · #16 12/29/12, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinknal

I think you need to rank your priorities. You are going to have to give up something. Make the cold hard decision.

Not happening. I've had too many things try to "break" me this year, and try to make me give up on farming; this is NOT going to be the one to do it!