3 Considerations When Buying Small Farm Property

Even buying a small farm is a little more complex than buying a single-family home, particularly if you want to actually do some farming. Think about what you want to grow or what type of animals you want to raise as you do your property search, then consider some of the following as well:

1) Structures & Equipment

Is there a barn on the property? You'll need to do a thorough inspection of every structure on the property, not just the house. Check out everything and try to visit the farm at least once after it has rained to check the drainage and make sure there are no flooding issues. You should also see what equipment is included in the sale and what equipment will go with the former owner.

2) Necessary Utilities

If the farm property has a well, you should have the water tested before you buy and you should also note the type of utilities you'll need. Real estate listings generally mention big things like gas and electricity but may leave off the fact that you'll need to get satellite internet and television if you buy a remote property.

3) Local Wildlife

A farm property can be teeming with wildlife; you won't likely see any local critters strolling through the field when you look at a small farm, but they are definitely there. Get an idea of the types of wildlife you can expect to see before you move in – even if you are simply moving from a suburban neighborhood nearby, the animals in a rural area can be very different.

From deer and groundhogs that want to devour your garden to snakes and spiders that up the "ick" factor, you'll see more wildlife on a farm – and wild animals generally don't respect property lines. Be ready to secure your chickens, lock up your rabbit feed, and fence in your garden when you choose a small farm property.

10 Cities With Charming Farms For Sale

From the west coast to the east coast, you can browse Homes & Land's full selection of farm properties for sale. Or, browse some select cities below:

1. 1) Birmingham, AL farm properties
2. 2) Bakersfield, CA farm properties
3. 3) Thomasville, GA farm properties
4. 4) Barrington, IL farm properties
5. 5) Klamath Falls, OR farm properties
6. 6) North Myrtle Beach, SC farm properties
7. 7) Waco, TX farm properties
8. 8) Kamas, UT farm properties
9. 9) Fredericksburg, VA farm properties
10. 10) Waunakee, WI farm properties
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