Three things to consider when buying a lifestyle block
So you want to move to the country and live the rural lifestyle. Here a few things to think about when deciding where and what type of property to buy. This article does not include residential or financial considerations.
If you would like to chat about any of these things in more detail get in touch and make a booking.
What are your goals, values and priorities?
Before looking at properties, it is a good idea to spend a bit of time evaluating what is important to you. This will help guide you to a property that you will be happy with for the long term. The following table gives some examples of values and goals that you could consider. I am sure you will think of more as only you know what is important to you! For each, decide if it is essential, nice to have, or not important. You can rank these on a scale of 1-10 if that makes more sense for you. While it is fun to dream about building the ideal space to live, and this can certainly become reality if you have the resources and are willing to put the work in, it is also important to be realistic about your goals and means.
What is the current infrastructure?
Water
If you plan to raise stock or grow plants, water is essential! The water source must be suitable for purpose and reliable even through the driest of summer months. Water requirements will depend on the local rainfall, soil types, type of stock you plan to run, how intensive your plant growth will be (eg market vegetable gardens will require a lot of good quality water). Options for water include wells, ponds or dams, bore, spring, river or stream and rainwater collection. These all have advantages and disadvantages so carefully research what is available and consider having the water tested.
Fences
Are fences suitable to meet your requirements. If not, do you have the resources to get these up to standard? Stock getting out is a major problem on all farms and especially on lifestyle blocks. Heartaches include getting into gardens and either consuming the produce or poisoning themselves, getting onto the roads and getting onto the neighbours property causing ill-feelings between neighbours. If you plan to farm goats, good fences must be established BEFORE purchasing the animals. Electric fencing is a very useful option.
Access
Is there suitable access for all the vehicles and people that might need to enter the property. This includes contractors, tree maintenance and harvesting, water maintenance and safe access for people including children and elderly. Can you get livestock safely on and off the property?
Buildings and Yards
What is the current availability of buildings and yards. What is the state of repair and if suitable facilities do not exist, do you have the means and resources to build them? A basic set of yards will be essential if you are planning to raise stock. They will need to be yarded from time to time for animal health treatments or testing or if anything goes wrong and you need to have a vet come and see a sick animal or one having difficulty giving birth.
Is there secure storage space for tools, feed, machinery etc.
Professional and technical support
Animal Health and welfare
Is there a local veterinarian who will help you develop a plan for maintaining your animals in the best of health and be available when things don’t go to plan?
Fencing and farm maintenance and other contractors
Will you be able to get someone to build fences and yards, repair water systems, fix the tractor or chainsaw, cut hay, sow pastures, trim hedges, shear sheep, and any other maintenance that might be required.
Neighbours and friends
What sort of community is this. Will the neighbours be supportive. Perhaps there are local farmers who can help with local knowledge or even loaning a tractor or other equipment if needed. Do you have friends or family that can help out when there are bigger jobs to be done. Expect the unexpected as anything can happen on the farm, often related to weather events. For example a tree fallen over a fenceline, stock that need to be rounded up, burst water lines, power outages. If you are planning to grow plant crops, will you have access to people to help during the busy harvest times?
Feed suppliers
If you are running livestock, chances are you will require some supplementary feed at some point. This might be to make up for slow pasture growth during winter or drought during summer or those times you find yourself inadvertently overstocked. This does happen a lot of small farms. Running out of feed is extremely stressful. Good sources of feed to have on hand include hay, baleage, silage and potentially some concentrate feeds such as grains or palm kernel. You could ask at the local rural supply store if there are hay or baleage contractors locally.
Electric fencing is an economical and effective option for keeping stock secure. Baleage and hay are both suitable supplementary feed options for all classes of stock.
Further Support
Would you like to have a personal chat about these considerations and any other questions you have. Why not book in a visit with Pania. A small investment that could give you clarity and save you time and money in the long run.
