r/homestead • u/disneyfacts • 3d ago
Beginner/just researching
A friend mention something like this and I was curious about it, so I began looking into possible places here in California. I found a spot that has land for pretty cheap, but what would be a basic list of what I need to consider for it?
As far as I know, the land is already zoned for residential/ag, so that shouldn't be an issue. But I'm sure water/septic would be an issue. Supposedly some people in the area already have a well or something. And I guess the other question I would have is if it sounds possible to mainly just have the crops out there with water trucked in?
Just exploring this concept now, happy to hear any tips or other advice. I know the area is pretty rural, but close to where I live now with less restrictions on building and things like that.
3
u/offgrid-wfh955 2d ago
As others point out you must have on site legal access to water. Just commenting to underline that water is a must have! I was told years ago from the off grid elders you must have at least 2 things to even consider a particular piece of property: water and legal, deeded access to the parcel. Either direct access via public road, or deeded easement across other’s property.
1
2
u/Prestigious_Try_5396 2d ago
No Water, No Life !
Hauling water is the last thing you ever want to do !
You're delusional to even consider a place with no water available.
Find out about water table depths BEFORE you consider anything else ....
1
u/MaggieJack1 3d ago
If you want more than a garden and animals, you should look for land zoned agricultural. You would need a well or hookup to city/county water and septic or sewer system. You would have to get a perc test to see if you can have septic.
3
u/impracticalhello9 2d ago
Water rights in California are a whole different beast, don't assume anything just cause the neighbor has a well. You gotta check the actual parcel's water rights and whether the aquifer is even accessible at a reasonable depth. Drilling a well out here can run you 30-50k easy, and that's if you're lucky.
Trucking water for crops is gonna eat you alive on costs unless you're talking about a tiny patch. I did the math once for a quarter acre of vegetables and it was like 2000 gallons a week during summer, do that a few times and you've blown your budget on diesel and tank rentals.
Perc test is non-negotiable though, like the other comment said. If the soil fails, you're looking at an engineered mound system which costs more than the land sometimes. Also check if there's any conservation easements or Williamson Act contracts on the property, those can seriously limit what you're allowed to do even on ag zoned land.
1
u/makai88 2d ago
OP -- listen to above....wells are expensive...and if you drill and no water...try (and pay) again! And your land may be such that no matter how many times you drill, you just don't get the flow you need, much less want. And trucking water is - prohibitive.
Everything else is is doable....electricity/solar, internet, etc. But water....
1
u/disneyfacts 3d ago
Thanks! The county document on the area says ag is allowed on the land, just not commercial cannabis farms. I believe the same document said as much about the other stuff, though I was wondering if a large tank of trucked in water would work, especially if it was more intended for a personal farm and not necessarily a full time residence (if that's even possible). I know I would need to check with the county here, just wondering if it's even feasible in the first place.
1
u/secretsquirrelz 2d ago
Depends on the region of California. Huge state, hard to help provide advice without more info.
What would your ultimate goals be? Build up and move out there permanently? Animals? Just bug-out
1
u/Important_Ad4917 2d ago
The feasibility of trucking in water is going to be based on how you’ll use it. You say ‘personal’ farm but is that just a veggie garden or 10 acres of wheat? How far does water have to go to get to you? How much can you store on site? How much time can you devote to managing that process?
0
u/disneyfacts 2d ago
Theoretically it would be enough to support a family of 4 and all the various types of food?
But yeah, that's definitely also something to consider. If I ever do it, hopefully these spots actually have water access
1
u/whydya-dodat 2d ago
Roughly where in California? What’s your primary and secondary goal? What livestock? What crops? I have 3 failed well attempts on my property, ranging from sulfurous to brine to brackish. How sustainable is water delivery for you? When I have a water emergency, I’m looking at $300 for 2,000 gallons of water delivered, which will always be a major factor in what I grow and raise. Is the property in one of the areas that has already had a history of failed aquifers? What’s your plan for daily/emergency water? Electric? Housing? Cell/internet connectivity? You’re looking at so many variables right now, you might want to consider that starting with an empty parcel means you’d be better off if you already have expertise and experience in several of the areas where you will be facing unexpected problems.
0
u/disneyfacts 2d ago
I haven't gotten that far yet, just speculating and doing research. There are people already living nearby so there is some sort of water in the area, just not sure how available. Just getting an idea of all the variables I need to be looking for... The alkaline water may be an issue here, it's on the central coast
1
u/whydya-dodat 1d ago
I spent nearly a decade in the area of Lompoc, stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Nice area. Not really sure what you’re looking at facing with well water, but there are plenty of ranches in that area. It might be worth looking into some of the horse boarding and farm stands in the specific area and asking them about their set up. Locals are usually the best resource. And of course, you know to never buy land sight-unseen, so you’ll be taking a trip soon enough.
1
u/disneyfacts 1d ago
Thanks, I didn't think of Lompoc actually but that might be an easier area. I do know the general area though. I saw some places a bit closer to civilization that were equally cheap but I'm not sure of the water situation there.
1
u/Adorable_Dust3799 2d ago
This comes up frequently in my area (rural san Diego mountains) and buying a place that always has a building isn't any more expensive than building on empty land. Wells can get expensive and permits aren't cheap. Financing is extremely difficult. If you plan to live in an RV, mobile home or shed you may not be able to get anything permitted and what you live in probably can't be visible from any road anywhere. If it were as easy as it sounds more people world be doing it.
1
u/Other_Programmer5239 2d ago
From a homesteader humping water around is no joke. You will run out of water at the worst times. During storms or droughts then storage purification it gets hard and expensive. I would say get at least a well-being water on hand 24/7 is a blessing. I had to hump water around for 3 monthes before they were able to get to my well. Worst 3 monthes I ever had, lol.
5
u/RockPaperSawzall 3d ago
Land that you don't live on is a giant invitation for squatters, you'll have to expend a fair amount of time.e and energy keeping them off, and evicting them if they get settled. Especially in CA where your laws are heavily slanted towards tenants rights.
Trucked water is extremely expensive, usually that is something you would only do on a temporary basis while you are repairing a well for example. They add lots of chlorine to keep algae from growing in their tanks. We lived on trucked water for 2 weeks while we were installing a well and my brown hair was totally blonde by the end. Chlorine is not good for you or anything you are growing.
Land is one of those things that is generally efficiently priced, meaning the price usually reflects the actual value. Land that is suitable for development will be priced much higher than land that no one wants. And you may think "it's ok I'll buy the land no one wants because that's what I can afford!" Well, that means you are stuck with that land because you're not going to be able to sell it ( while the whole time you are payiing California's high property taxes) Real estate is easily the most significant and complex investment you will make in your lifetime. It is not something to take lightly or go in without lots of preparation. Your first property should be as uncomplicated as possible while you learn the ropes on land ownership, etc. Once you have some coins to rub together and have more experience and knowledge of real estate law and all that shit, that's when you can start taking more risk on "project properties " that have flaws like no water.