There are always some spectacular horse farms and ranches for sale, so you likely have a variety of properties to consider. You may be tempted to dive right in and tour the areas you are considering for your property, but we encourage you to think carefully about your process as we know the time you put in up front will pay off later .
To help you, we’ve put together this quick read – an introduction of sorts.
So let’s start. There are a few things to consider when looking for horse real estate. We’ll start with some general questions and then follow up with a list of important considerations to keep in mind when looking for real estate. Here we go:
1. How interested are you in horses?
Of course you like horses, otherwise you would not have decided to buy a horse property.
But beyond that, the spectrum ranges from finding a property that can accommodate a horse or two of your own, to a commercial horse facility that specializes in professional training, boarding, breeding or more.
And also remember that your interest may increase, e.g. B. From beginner to fully committed professional, which can lead you to a new property or property upgrades.
2. Where do you want to be?
Of course, there can be many variables that influence this decision, with the basic factors being things like a desire to be close to friends and family, or to live in a particular school district or county, or near a particular city. But beyond that, remember that your answer to Question #1 will also bring up its own considerations, such as:
- Do you wish you were close to facilities that cater to your horse-related interests, such as B. open state land, trails, or specific training or show facilities for specific species of horses
- Do you wish to be close to the “Industry Center” for your particular equine activity. This is especially important if you are a professional serving a market or if you aspire to achieve success in the equine industry. The ability to easily network with like-minded horse people can be a consideration.
3. Are you looking to build new on a vacant lot, buy an existing horse property, or buy an existing property that can be renovated to accommodate horses?
You may indicate any or all of these choices, and your preference may be influenced by some of the factors to consider as you continue reading.
For now, you should know that each of these options has its own pros and cons.
– If you are building new you can have exactly what you want, but it also requires more planning and lead time and can be more expensive.
– Buying an existing property is probably quicker and potentially cheaper, but you may not find exactly what you want.
– And buying an existing property that can be renovated can have some of the benefits of the first two options, but requires planning, patience and foresight that not all buyers have.
4. What is your price range or budget? Will it be a cash purchase or financed? Is it dependent on the sale of other properties?
Like the answers to question #3, each of these alternatives has its own advantages.
If you pay cash you should be able to complete your purchase sooner and potentially negotiate a better price.
If you are financing your purchase, it is best to contact a lender in advance to confirm your purchasing power and go through the application process.
With those more general questions behind us, let’s move on to more specific questions and important factors to consider:
How many hectares are you looking for?
Think of the layout of the farm – the dwelling house, barn, stables, paddocks, round pen and storage for equipment, hay, forage, tack, bedding etc hay), riding arenas and on site trails.
Are there zoning or other restrictions that need to be considered in the areas where you would like to have your operations?
If you intend to maintain pastures, you should allocate two acres per horse. Be sure to select properties where horses are allowed or allowed under a special use permit.
And be aware of borderline throwbacks, which can vary by government entity.
Know your floors.
Find out about the soil types before buying the property.
During the rainy season, poorly draining clay and loamy soils in areas with high horse traffic are a maintenance nightmare and can pose a health problem for horses’ hooves.
Ideally, barns and paddocks should be on well-drained sandy soils, or if on fine-textured soils they should be graded to encourage positive water drainage away from barns and high-traffic areas.
Many farms have a variety of soil types that should affect the layout of the farm based on the uses for which the soil types are best suited. High clay soils are excellent for hay meadows and pastures to withstand drought. Agriculturally insignificant lands can be used for trail riding, training areas and grazing areas where horses are kept on hay rather than on pasture.
What should the topography look like?
The location of the land has both practical and aesthetic relevance. A quaint horse farm in a hilly, tree-lined landscape has tremendous aesthetic appeal.
From a practical point of view, however, some level ground is desirable for buildings and training areas. Hay meadows and pastures also thrive best on level or slightly hilly, cultivable soil.
Topography controls how well surface water drains off the property. Wetlands, swamps, and “pothole ponds” characterize poorly drained areas that contribute to ecological diversity but have little practical use on a horse farm.
access to water
A horse farm operation uses potable water in both the house and the stable, and depending on the number of horses, the gallons used in the stable can far exceed the amount used in the house.
Most rural areas do not have access to a public water supply so it is important to have a good well (or wells) available or to have an aquifer under the property from which a good water supply can be developed.
The main uses of water on the farm are watering and washing horses, general cleaning, dust control in training areas, and in some cases irrigation. Irrigation used to keep pastures green or to irrigate hay meadows may exceed all other uses. When available, surface water from a pond, lake or stream can often be used for irrigation purposes.
Availability of Other Utilities and Services
Other utilities and services include sanitation, electricity connection, heating energy source (natural gas, LPG, heating oil), internet availability, cell phone coverage and waste disposal. All are important to consider.
In rural areas, septic tanks and drainage fields are the most practical way to treat and dispose of wastewater. However, not all floors are suitable for the use of these systems. If necessary, percolation tests must be carried out to determine whether the soils are suitable.
Natural gas is the preferred source of energy for heating, but in many rural areas only propane will be available. Horses generate a lot of body heat, so the need for space heating can be limited. Heating washing water and keeping the horse’s drinking water from freezing is usually best done with electricity.
how is the coverage
A good internet connection and mobile phone reception are becoming increasingly important. Connection problems may still occur in some remote areas.
How do you deal with the smelly stuff?
Horse farms generate a significant amount of solid waste in the form of manure, and you should consider how manure is handled when considering purchasing a horse farm. There is an option to distribute it around the country, perhaps give or sell it to nearby farmers, or have it transported to a landfill site by a contract hauler.
Existing and planned structures
Whether you are purchasing an existing horse farm or one with existing buildings that can be renovated for horse-related purposes, carefully examine (1) the quality of the structures, including buildings and fences, (2) the possibility of any resulting nuisance problems poor layout or adopted use, (3) to determine the cost of any renovations required to meet your intended uses of the property.
Get help!
Find an agent who really knows equestrian properties – if they don’t know what you’re talking about when you say ‘horse’, they won’t be able to represent your best interests properly. Do your own due diligence to find one with the knowledge required.
And last but not least, think of the neighbors
Horse people are generally quite neighborly and easy to get along with. In general, they like to network and socialize with people who have similar interests, such as horses and country life.
However, there are people who enjoy outdoor activities with little regard for the environment or the sensitivities of others. Therefore, before buying, it is advisable to ask some questions about the neighbors, or even better, to meet them in person.
Phew, there it is.
Hopefully this list of questions and considerations has been helpful and not too daunting. Yes, there is a lot to consider before buying horse property, or any property at all.
But as the saying goes: it’s not rocket science, it’s just a matter of homework and diligence. And of course it is also important in this regard to work with a qualified and competent real estate agent
Thanks to David Kreager | #Insiders #Guide #Buying #Equestrian #Property
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