Dreaming about living on land is exciting and fun! Maybe you’re dreading the current home that your family is growing out of. Or maybe there is a need to take care of a family member where they should be checked on daily. Perhaps, the neighborhood you are in is not what it used to be when you first moved in, and you wish for bigger space and different neighbors.
Whatever the reason(s) might be, you’ve been looking at acreage properties for sale online and imagining your life (maybe 10 different scenarios) when you move in to one. Back to reality, where should you get started with all this? Learn about different types of acreage properties and let me help you figure out what’s the right type for you!
Horse Property
Many people would think of having horses when they talk about living on land but not all large properties make good horse properties. Horses are somewhat of a delicate animal to have compared to some other farm animals like cows. They need good diet, regular exercise (to be ridden), permanent sunshades in summer and a pen to stay out of the rain. To provide a good exercise area, they need a big flat area filled with sandy soil, without gohper holes. You’ll also need a tackle room to store the riding equipment.
Typical horse properties have relatively flat landscapge without obstruction like trees to provide a clear riding area. Almost all will have a tackle room, often a part of the horses’ pen, feed storage (ideally indoors), a fenced riding area, and some will have an outdoor washing station for the horses.
Farm Property
Our rich sunlight and nutricous soil allow for so many different types of crops to grow and the most common in Fresno include: citrus, almonds, pistachios, peaches, cherries, grapes, and many more. Whether to start from zero (no plants) or to purchase a property that already have producing trees, the very first thing to check is the water condition. You want to make sure the property has its own well (not a shared well), and is in good condition in terms of ground water level and water pressure for what you need on your farm. It’s also important to check if the water had any contamination or bacteria that can be harmful for your crops and your family.
If you plan to purchase a property with trees already planted, make sure you understand whether the trees will become yours, and who will be taking care of the farm. Depending on the types of trees to plant, you’ll need different types of landscape and/or elevation. For example, avocadoes are always on hills whereas grapes can be on hills or on flat ground. There’s always a scientific reason behind it.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Property
You might be super excited about acreage properties that not only satisfy your needs to have more space, but also provide an income stream – become a landlord and have your tenant next door offset your living expenses. Or maybe you want to have a family member living next door but nearby, so you can check on them often.
Unlike a property in the city, a lot of homes with large land in the country have a second dwelling, often have a permit from the county, and are well built. Looking for 2 homes on 1 lot is the main goal, and due to ADU being the relatively “new thing”, our multiple listing service (MLS) does not always share this information correctly. Just make sure you don’t miss one when you are seriously looking.
If you decide to purchase an acreage property with 1 dwelling and plan to build an ADU from the ground up, there are some zoning clearance and permitting work to do. It’s going be important homework on development when you are seriously looking. Also look for landscapes where it’ll allow for a second building pad for the ADU since it’ll make the development process a less expensive one if you don’t have to move much soil to build up a pad.
Other Property
Do the previous types of properties sound too complicated to even think about? Maybe all you are looking for is to have some more space for your kids to play outdoors and to have a swing / slide set. Maybe you really want a pool without it taking up the entire backyard. Or maybe, you want enough space for your dogs and cats to run around without stepping into your garden beds. Maybe you love working on projects but your garage was not quite enough space to park and to “project in” so you need a shop, and use half of the shop for yourself and the other half to rent out as storage space.
There are plenty of options out there, and you might not need nearly as much yard as you thought in your mind. That’s why it’s important to figure out early on what you and your family are looking to achieve with your next acreage home. And I can help you with just that! Schedule a time to chat with me here.
Final words
Remember there is no clear line drawn between each of these types of acreage properties where you have to choose one or another. It’s a matter of maximizing your resources to find the right acreage home that supports your ideal lifestyle, whether it’s spending time with the animals, caring for the trees and the yard, or running a rental.
How to decide what would the best fit for you and your family? Short answer, your ideal lifestyle. If you or your children have a strong interest in riding horses, or breeding horse and other farm animals like cows and goats, a horse property is probably a great option. If you love fruit trees, nut trees, or want to generate income from farming activities, a farm property is probably the best for you. If you are focused on offsetting the cost of housing, or have a lot of overnight guests but still want to enjoy a big yard, an ADU property can do so much for you.
Based on your ideal lifestyle, do you already have a preferred type of acreage property in mind? Share you thoughts with me at hello@yuelehmanrealestate.com!
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