Getting Started
Searching for land or a home can be an exciting journey! Anita began looking online at potential places for sale about one and a half to two years before we actually moved out west. Since our daughter lives in the state where we were planning to move, we had opportunities to do some real estate exploration when out west to visit her family.
The Search Intensifies
On the most recent visit before moving, we went with a real estate agent to view some listings. Since we were open to vacant land as well as existing homes, there was a lot to sift through. Most of the existing homes we could afford with acreage had 2-3 bedrooms and one bathroom. They were often fixer-uppers that had been built sometime between 1915 and the 1970s and could take a significant amount of money and time to make nice. Many were right next to a road or busy highway, or by an irrigation canal. One helpful practice was to look at freely available satellite imagery to see what the property was located near. Several places that looked quite charming in the online listings were right next to a junky place or not far from a dairy farm or cattle operation.
Home Search Criteria
Some of the criteria for our search developed with time and experience. Considering our grandchildren helped to set the standards for what we needed. Our list of desirable qualities in a place to live grew as we thought things through and visited listings or checked street views from Google to try to see what was around each piece.
Financial Constraints
We realized we could afford a very nice place in a crowded subdivision. But we just were not at peace with that idea. And there were many acreages we looked at online that were lovely, but to be debt-free, we would need to live in a “tiny home,” a garage apartment, or a small manufactured home to afford the acreage.
After the Move
After we finally sold our home in Tennessee and moved to the area, we started looking further out where land was cheaper and less congested. We spent many hours and days and weeks searching. We viewed various potential properties and worked with several real estate agents. We finally decided to go with a different agent for each area – one who knew that area well – rather than being tied down to one agent).
We had our eye on a beautiful area with incredible views. But those properties involved miles of gravel road driving to get to them. They were also somewhat isolated with not many neighbors and a distance away from medical facilities, etc. But we loved the quiet beauty and were strongly considering purchasing in that area. The depth we would have to drill for water was uncertain and scary as the only close neighbor had to go down over 700 feet to get water.
The Right Place
Finally, we found a 6+ acre piece of land that fit most of our list of criteria. It was not a perfect piece of land, of course, because this earth is not our perfect heavenly home. But this piece of land was closer to our ideal place than so much of what we saw. Our son saw a different lot in this area of properties online and suggested we go and check it out. While in the area, we came across this piece of land with a for sale sign on it.
We talked to a few neighbors about the area – one decent way to learn about the CC&Rs, get an idea of the depth of some of the water wells, and find out how the water tasted. Good tasting water is a huge blessing! One of the neighbors gave us each a large glass of their well water that had not been altered or filtered. Wow! So refreshing!
Our son checked this new property out online and was able to get some details about the neighbors’ wells. He even drove down from Canada and helped us find the survey markers for the property. In addition, our daughter came up to the land with her two young children to join us. We checked it out as a family! The truth is that the decision that one family member makes often does affect the lives of the rest of the family members. We are never in a bubble where we have no effect or influence on others because ultimately, each generation leaves a stamp on another “unto the third and fourth generation” (see Exodus 34:6-7). Our kids helped us explore this piece of property.
We also realize we are not smart enough to know what decision is right for now and in the future. We asked God to guide us in this huge decision and that it would be for His kingdom and glory and honor. We are just stewards on this earth of anything in our possession.
We all sensed that this piece of land was right for us. And after all those weeks and months of searching, we were satisfied.
Making the Purchase
We made an appointment with the listing agent to find out more details and legal information. We made an offer on the property and found out later that evening that it was accepted. The Realestate agent told us the next day that they had two other buyers inquiring about this very piece of land. She said it must have been for us!
Now we are property owners again! And house plans have started to develop in our minds, on paper, and electronically.
Check back soon for our next blog post, which will include a list of our home/property search criteria.
In another future post, we will share with you our fun experience of digging our well and how that turned out. Did we have to go over 600 feet deep like the neighbor on one side may have done? Did we get enough water to grow a garden and plant fruit trees as we want?
