Every time I get optimistic about a piece of property, it sets off a flurry of background activity in my brain. I start thinking about construction techniques, power generation, privacy issues, water procurement, septic management, vehicle and foot access, square footage, and, of course, how to pay for the darn thing.
Im heading out to look at this property tomorrow and its going to be a bit of an adventure. It’s past a locked gate, which is nice, but the roads (and its a very generous thing to call them ‘roads’) might be challenging. The realtor said they had to chainsaw some trees out of the way to get down the road. Interesting.
As I understand it, we will most likely be able to drive in a ways and then have to go the rest on foot. Not a problem…just pack a bag, grab the GPS, lock and load, and off we go.
Last property that I was interested in enough to go look at was a non-starter because of the road access. This one might not be as bad. Its a county road up to the gate, and then its a matter of some logging/mining road/trail for about a mile. After that, it branches and then its about 300 yards to the edge of the property. That 300 yards might be overgrown-needs-to-be-reclaimed ‘road’ or it might be hospitable to a small pickup. We’ll find out. However, I fully expect that, if this comes to pass, a 4-wheeler (or side-by-side) is going to be in my future.
Theres a lot of things to consider before pulling the trigger on something like this. I can only really afford to do it once so I’d like to get it right the first time. I need to see if the terrain is amenable to building, what the access is like, etc, etc. Lotsa things to factor in. Some are dealbreakers, some aren’t. Some can be mitigated, some can’t. There’s no way to tell from just a Google Earth view and some photos that were cherry-picked by the realtor. Just gonna have to do boots-on-the-ground.
Notes From The Bunker
Good plan. Before buying land, it may also pay to get a formal survey done (sometimes the real estate agent will pay for it) then walk the boundary lines and all four corners.
The road issue is fairly simple but probably not cheap, have it smoothed out then get some loads of gravel/asphalt base put over it. Locals with a backhoe will work for cash.
I’ve learned my lesson going elk hunting in a side by side or quad. In my old age I prefer something with a heater and relatively rain proof, an older model 4×4 truck can usually be had for about the same price, warm and dry over cold and wet any day.
Good luck!
Got a survey here in front of me…mapped off showing boundaries and where the corner markers are. Gonna go try and find ’em tomorrow.
It’s gonna be a lot of work, and the survivalist part of your brain will be going into overdrive, but also don’t forget to take time to just enjoy the process while you’re out exploring. Good luck to you! Hope you find the hidden gem of your dreams.
Good luck – I hope the property becomes CZ Hallowed Ground. :^)
Fwiw, a little noisy ground on road leading to your property is a good thing in my book. Nice to know company is coming soon.
Was already planning cameras and ground sensors.
Fingers crossed! I eagerly await the report at the end of the weekend.
Side by side can/will be useful, but will not substitute for a solid 4 x 4 vehicle. Our property included the 2013 ranger the original owner/builder had bought. Problem is not just the steepness of the hillside, but that so many of the original trails he had through the property are now overgrown (courtesy of living in a subtropical climate). We have our name down with the state waiting for them to do a controlled burn as well – the build up of grasses, plants, and dead leaves is beyond belief.
What we really need is a professional forester to look over the property to recommend what trees need to be thinned, where paths might naturally go, etc. (and then the cash to have done what he suggests). Depending on what your long-term plans are, it might be worth your while to hire a forester to look over the property before purchase.
My first question is always, how deep do I need to go for water? I’ve know someone who has to drill at least 220′ and another who couldn’t find water after four tries even while their neighbor has it a 20′ anywhere on their property. Hauling water from town, as so many do, never appealed to me. There’s a research station in the Beartooths that has to pipe it in from a spring over a mile away.
Well, this place has a stream running its length, so thats a good sign. Gotta check and see if its year round or what, but I think it is.