I use it to build, cut firewood, get things into managable chunks and it ensures that my truck can make it all the way through a road. I use my saw all the time and depend on it. IT saves me a lot of money in lumber, time, heat and more. I have a Husky Rancher, which I bought new back in the day and have also used a lot of Stihls. I can say that these are wonderful saws. As far as Homelite, McCullough, Echo, Poulan and a couple of Craftsman's, I have used them and the amount of time wasted on them and the struggles to use them under hard use, well, they have cost me dearly in the past and I won't have them. Although they all don' cut it (hehe) IMO, the Homelites have been the worst for me.
One thing I will say- if you are homesteading there are a few things that buying right will pay off immensily in the long run. A chainsaw is one of them IMO. I wouldn't buy from anyone except your local sawshop, who will faithfully service it for you. These days your best choices are a Stihl or Jonsered correctly sized, weighted and powered for your body and intended use. Your local sawshop can help you with all this.