Everyone asks what we’re actually looking for out here. So here’s the real list, the one on our fridge. Every property we tour gets measured against it.
The must-haves
- Size: bigger than five acres (that’s the floor, not the goal), shooting for as close to ten as we can get: room for animals, a real garden, three kids, and trees between us and the neighbors.
- Water: a pond, lake, river, or stream on the land, year-round. Plus a good well spot or an existing well.
- Truly rural: dark skies, quiet nights, no subdivision going up next door in five years.
- Livestock-friendly zoning: always check with the township first. If livestock aren’t allowed, it’s a no.
- Septic: ground that’ll take a septic system, or one already in. Almost a must.
- A budget that doesn’t sink the family: if the land costs so much we can’t afford to build on it, it’s the wrong land.
- Mature trees: established woods, not just open farmland. Shade, firewood, privacy.
- Real road access: our own driveway off a real road. Never a risky easement.
- No power lines, cell towers, or highlines: clean sky, clean land.
- No golf courses or airports nearby: quiet means hearing the creek, not the fairway mower.
Nice-to-haves
- Southern exposure for solar.
- An old barn still standing.
- No HOA. Ever.
Deal-breakers
Any one of these and we’re out, no matter how much we like the view: under five acres; no pond, lake, river, or stream; too close to the city; all open farmland with no mature trees; landlocked or sketchy access; power lines, towers, or highlines on or near the property; a golf course or airport nearby; no livestock allowed; ground that won’t take septic; an HOA; or a price that eats the build budget.
If you’re hunting for your own piece of land, steal this list. And if you’ve already found yours, tell us what we missed. Get. Build. Keep.