How to Find Homestead Land

Wondering how to find homestead land? Read on!

For many people, the dream of owning their own land is a powerful one. There are few things more satisfying than being able to look out at your own property and know that it is yours.

For some people, this dream becomes a reality by homesteading – moving to a rural area and living off the land. This can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it is not without its hard work and challenges.

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That's why it's important to select your homestead land carefully. Learn how to find homestead land and what to watch for when looking for the perfect homestead property.

Before You Start Looking for Homestead Land

Before you start looking for your own home and homestead land, there are a few steps to take that will help you find the perfect piece of property to meet your specific requirements.

Define your homesteading goals

What do you hope to accomplish by starting to homestead? Do you know the general area you want to live in?

Do you want to be completely self-reliant with solar panels and an off grid homestead? Or are you looking for a more traditional farming lifestyle with agricultural land zoning?

You might not even need a lot of land. Are small acreages a better fit for your homestead dreams? Or could you try backyard homesteading on a large lot in an inexpensive small town?

What kind of homestead animals do you want to raise? Chickens, goats, rabbits, quail, turkeys? Just how much land do you actually need? If you have a small family, you might be fine with just an acre or two.

Determine your homestead budget

How much can you afford to spend on land? It's important to really evaluate your budget and what you can afford. You might decide you're willing to get a mortgage.

Or maybe you're planning to make money homesteading. Remember, an important part of financial self-reliance includes not spending beyond your means.

Consider your climate

What kind of climate do you need for your homesteading goals? And what type of land?

Do you want to live in a warm climate so you can grow fruit trees and vegetables all year round? Or are you more interested in a colder climate where you can focus on raising livestock?

Decide on a location

Where do you want to live? Do you have a specific state or region in mind, or are you willing to relocate anywhere that has the right land for your needs?

Research the area

Once you have a general location in mind, start researching the specific area. Do some research on the zoning regulations in the region.

Are there any issues with mineral rights on the properties in the area? What is the cost of living like, and the property taxes? Is there access to medical care and other basic amenities?

Consider your skills

Before buying land to start homestead, think about the skills you already have that can help you transform a basic acreage to the homestead of your dreams.

Are you good at construction or carpentry? Do you have experience in gardening or raising animals? What skills do you have that could help you to cut costs and make a living homesteading?

Finding homestead land that suits your needs and that you can afford is one of the biggest challenges of new homesteaders. Here are 12 ways to find homestead land.

1. Check with the local government

In rural areas of the United States, the local governments try to sell acres of land in remote areas. However, not all of this land may be suitable for small farms or farm animals.

Additionally, this (often affordable) land might come with issues that make it difficult to homestead. For example, water rights issues,

2. Look for foreclosures

If you are willing to put in some work, foreclosed properties can be a great deal. You will need to do your research to make sure the property is not in too much disrepair and that you will be able to get it for a good price.

3. Look for auctions

Auctions are another great way to find good land, but you will need to be careful. Make sure you know what you are bidding on before you sign a land contract.

4. Check with real estate agents

Real estate agents often have listings for land that is not yet on the market. Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent to find a new home is often the best way to find homestead land, especially in remote places.

The agent's local knowledge and familiarity with land owners, property owners, and local land prices can help to save time, money, and hassle.

5. Look online

There are many websites that list undeveloped land for sale. This can be a great way to find land in a remote area, but you will need to act quickly if you find a piece of land you love.

6. Connect with private sellers

Sometimes, people will sell land through a private sale. Landowners might sell off pieces of their land for quick income. This can be a great way to find land, but you will need to be careful. Make sure you get everything in writing and that you understand the terms of the sale.

7. Talk with your friends and family

Many people who look for land start by talking with their friends and family. It may be that you know someone who is looking to sell land, but they haven't started the process yet.

8. Look for signs

In many rural areas, landowners put up signs advertising land for sale. It's old-fashioned, but it works.

9. Talk with other homesteaders

If you're flexible about where you want to homestead, talk to other homesteaders. They may know of properties for sale or they may keep you in mind if they ever want to sell.

10. Try landsitting

While owning your own land is the ultimate goal for many homesteaders, it's not the only way to live the homesteading lifestyle. If you're willing to work for it, landsitting can be a great way to get started.

One of the challenges of homesteading is that the lifestyle makes it difficult to take a vacation. Gathering eggs, milking cows, and feeding livestock are chores that need to get done every day.

Landsitting for a homesteader who's ready for a vacation is a great opportunity to discover whether you really want this lifestyle. And it can give you an opportunity to look for homestead land for sale in that area.

11. Look around small communities

Often, small towns that are trying to grow their population offer acres of free land to encourage people to move there. These programs are some of the few remaining ways to get free land.

12. Keep talking about it

Don't underestimate the power of your network. The more people you talk to about your dreams to get started homesteading, the more likely it is that you will find the land you need.

You never know who might have land that they are willing to sell. Even if the people you know don't have an opportunity for you, they might know someone who does.

Action Steps For Finding Homestead Land

As you can see, there are many ways to find homestead land. Once you find opportunities, the quicker you take action, the more likely you are to succeed. Here are some action steps to help you find homestead land:

1. Determine what you are looking for in a piece of land.

2. Make a list of the places you would be willing to live.

3. Start talking to people about your desire to homestead.

4. Look for signs of land for sale in rural areas.

5. Check with real estate agents to see if they have any listings for land.

6. Look online for websites that list land for sale.

7. Try landsitting as a way to get started with homesteading.

Homesteading is a lifestyle that is becoming more and more popular. As the interest in homesteading grows, so does the need for homestead land. With a little bit of effort, you should be able to find the perfect piece of land to start your homestead.