How To Set Up A Homestead & Life Off The Land
Homesteading is trending as people increasingly value sustainable, eco-friendly, and independent living. But the best homesteads require thoughtful planning and preparation– after all, it's a lifestyle commitment.
So we'll cover some top tips for starting your Washington-based homestead!
Get Clear About Your Goals
Modern homesteading describes a self-sufficient lifestyle by growing and cultivating food on your home's property. But there's a wide range of activities, goals, and production included under the umbrella of homesteading.
Some are hardcore, with goals of zero-waste, privately powered, with homegrown medicines and clothing. Others focus on growing certain favorite fruits and vegetables or raising chickens.
Before you start your homestead, make sure you're clear about what you want to get from your land. Then, prioritize your list with the most approachable or essential changes to grow sustainably into this new lifestyle.
Determine What's Possible
Once you have your dream list, it's time to define the limits of your available space, zoning laws, and neighborhood ordinances.
People with small yards or outdoor spaces can still homestead, but you'll need to research space-saving options like growing towers. In addition, some HOAs have strict rules about visible gardens and may not allow even small animals like chickens. And zoning laws may also impact the kinds of gardening or animal structures you can have on your land.
If your home doesn't allow you to bring your homesteading dreams to life, it may be worth partnering with family or friends to use their land. Or, you may want to move to a less restrictive area if a homestead is central to your values!
Build Up Slowly
The sky's the limit for homesteads— you can produce almost anything with endless expansion opportunities. So it's critical not to be swept away with the possibilities through sustainable, well-planned growth.
Prioritize your homestead goals into a numbered list. Include notes about needed money, time, and space, so you understand how to approach the next project.
For example, adding chickens to your homestead includes having time to feed them and collect eggs daily, space for housing and recreation, and money for housing and feed.
On the other hand, your garden will go through more dramatic phases. Planting, weeding, and watering doesn't have to take much time. But harvesting and processing fruits and veggies can take over your time during early fall.
Research All the Time
You'll do tons of research before starting your homestead– from planting schedules for your garden to canning recipes to learning which herbs for home remedies, you'll be reading all the time. But don't stop once your homestead is off the ground!
New methods and technologies help conserve water and create the best crop yield. And new areas of homesteading trend in popularity all the time, offering new opportunities to live sustainably. You'll also need to ensure that you're aware of political trends impacting your land and ability to homestead– stay compliant and use your vote to protect your sustainable lifestyle!
Want Help Finding Your Perfect Homestead?
So many dream of living off their land, especially when the COVID pandemic revealed our dependence on a smooth supply chain. But that means you can't underestimate the land you live on.
If you want to build a homestead but don't know if your current property can sustain your fantasy lifestyle, contact the real estate pros at UCNW! We're a team of long-time Washington residents dedicated to helping our clients find the perfect property to bring all their dreams to life.
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