We bought it, now what? The Truth about buying raw land

THE TRUTH ABOUT BUYING RAW LAND

If you like me, think that buying raw land is a good way to start a homestead, I want to share with you some of the "hidden costs" or maybe not so hidden but "not considered" expenses that can blow your budget even before you start "homesteading". 

It was all wooded 

As I mentioned we bought 2.3 acres in Southern Oregon at the beginning of 2018. 

It was wooded, a "jungle" that was almost impossible to penetrate, only one "trail" that went east to west of the property and that was it. We still managed to walk in all kinds of directions but it was not easy, yet, we fell in love, well, I did. 

A jungle, really, look at how everything was 

It had a stream, it was a "flag lot" or a back lot that basically gave us a long driveway with and easement so we could enter, we were close to the river and great fishing I mean .... paradise right? 

The only way to go across our creek and access the other 1 acre

I was sold, my husband not so much, it is a non internet area, not cell tower in sight so no cell phone service, 45 min away from the coast and to be honest it looked like a lot of work. 

I researched the area, the nearest town, the history, everything seemed like the perfect fit to establish a homestead. 

We kept looking, but nothing so after lots of praying and negotiating of the price we bought it. It was ours! 

Now reality sets in. 

1- We had no driveway

The before of the driveway| A muddy mess

It was grass, but soon enough, after a few days with rain it was almost impossible to enter, not drivable unless you had a good 4x4 and we didn't. 

The best picture I could find| It is 450 FT long from the road to here 

It was uneven, so we had to pay to level it, add a culvert where the water was standing and kind of extend it a little into the property (an RV pad kind of thing) so we could park inside our property. 

Total cost $15.000 I know ! 

2- We had to clear land, in the beginning to clear a little less than an acre they quoted us $4500, but the roots were so deep and they spent way too much time digging so the Total Cost was $6500

Cutting Trees and digging the roots took over 2 weeks.

3- Even after all that we had to burn slash piles, so we had to wait until fire season was over and pay somebody to do it, the piles were about 20 feet tall, included logs for firewood, giant ants and roots, so big that only a machine could move them. We spent a week there in July and we only went thru 1 pile (there were 10 in total) 

and it took us 1 week to run what we could thru the wood chipper and pile the logs that needed to be cut into firewood. 

Because of how big they were and the dangers of starting a fire, being so close to the "forest" we left in the other acre and something the Total Cost was $5000 including permits. 

Burning the slash piles still left a lot behind 

I know it sounds ridiculous! $25.000 + a wood chipper+ a chainsaw + many trips from Utah (1600 miles roundtrip). It was out of control so we quickly realized we are not going to have enough money to buy the manufactured home cash, we haven't even asked about the well, or set up power in the property. We moved it to the back burner. 

We either had to postpone our move ( not move in May 2020) or have a temporary structure that would allow us to stay there while we work on the well, power and septic systems, to even start thinking about a foundation and the purchase of a modest manufactured home. 

So we purchased a Yurt, 20 ft yurt for a cost of $11.000 added to those expenses. 

Watch the video where we move into the Yurt

We knew if we wanted to get things done  like the well, power and septic somebody would have to be there while the work is getting done, we need to find local people and work with a budget.

So with the yurt and a 32ft Travel Trailer we can manage while getting things done. 

So how can this help you? Well, the idea is just to warn you that when you buy raw land you not only have to worry about "homesteading" but to get to a point where you can enter your property safely, use it, have a level spot to at least park in it and make sure you have the money to pay for the things you can't or don't know how to do yourself. 

Had to carry uphill 20 bags of 80 pound cement.

The idea of being a homesteader can give you the impression that you "can make things happen" and you can, but most of the time you need money, and to get money you need to work, so now you don't have the time. 

Just know that things take time, buying the property is only the beginning, and if you buy raw land you probably will have to worry about shelter, and basics need like water, power (either solar or connected to the grid) and those will be priorities so then you can start worrying about chicken coops, fencing, buying livestock, feed, and setting up that garden. 

Leveling the spot for the yurt | Messy & Muddy 

Is this to discourage you? no, not really I just want you to be aware and make the best decision possible.