The unexpected conclusion of my farmhouse-hunting journey.
House-hunting is often one of the most stressful and exciting experiences in a person’s life. It’s a time of anticipation and uncertainty as you look for the perfect place to call home. But what happens when your search goes differently than planned? What if the farmhouse you thought was “the one” was a disappointment? In this blog post, I will share my experience of farmhouse hunting and how my journey led me to an unexpected conclusion. From the highs and lows of the process to the final outcome. My story will provide helpful insight and thoughts to those following my journey. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in as I share my journey of farmhouse hunting and the unexpected turn it took.
1. The beginning of my house-hunting journey
The farmhouse hunt is on, and my excitement has filled the air in my head. I was one step closer to my dream of becoming a land owner and doing some hobby farming. There was always something incredibly appealing to me about having my own land. Goals of self-reliance, a legacy to leave to future generations, and, most importantly, a quiet place to work on myself and improve my mental health.
Sometimes when searching for a new home, you just know when you’ve found the one. That’s exactly how I felt when I stumbled upon the farmhouse of my dreams (a term I use loosely here). I hadn’t even given my family or friends time to let the shock of my unconventional whims and spontaneity wear off before I had found the “ONE”. My realtor/friend (Hilary) had yet to even have a chance to get home from our bowling night to pull up all the property listings that were available at the time. When I told her my plan to buy a farm, the look on her face was priceless. Her facial expressions tell you precisely what she is thinking, and outwardly, her expression said I had lost my mind. I had spent the day scanning through many listings and was stopped in my tracks for a 100-year-old beauty. I knew this fixer-upper was the place for my family and I. The moment I saw it in the listing, I had to have a property that exuded charm, warmth, and income potential. The sprawling green lawn, large established trees throughout, the natural pond, the charming front porch, the windows that let in the natural light, the many loafing sheds for animals, and just enough land to get me started – it was all perfect. Until we walked into to view it, ugggg. A fixer-upper wasn’t going to be an issue for us, but this house was more than just a fixer-upper. It had been neglected over the years and last updated, um, never. It would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt, making the asking price too much. My realotor put in an offer they refused right away. They were not willing to budge on the overpriced property. In my mind asking price wasn’t a good investment, but my heart so badly wanted to say yes. It was a roller coaster of emotions. Quickly, I was reminded to look on the bright side of things because this was only the first property we had looked at, and there were others to choose from. Could I move on from this perfect piece of land! Despite the challenges, I was determined to find the one farmhouse that I could call my own. Little did I know that my farmhouse-hunting journey would take an unexpected turn. It lead me to an end result that I never would have imagined at first glance.
2. My initial expectations and requirements
Of course, I had to start looking when the housing market was hot. It was a sellers’ market, and homes of any kind were selling like hotcakes. In a seller’s market, it would take a lot of time and patience to find what I was looking for. Made even more complicated by the fact my heart was still set on the first “ONE” we had visited. Thank goodness realtor Hilary took the emotions out of it and sent me a list of potential places that she thought I might like. There were 8 listings in her email with an “*” above one picture saying, “Please make sure you open this listing. I almost didn’t, but it is my job” 🙂 My list of requirements was small, hoping it would make more properties available to choose from. I had seen and swiped right by the particular listing Hilary was pertaining to when I initially started looking for properties.
When buying a house or property, curb appeal is often one of the most important things that can make or break a deal. A home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see, and it can significantly influence their first impression of the property. This was the case for me. The picture of the farmhouse and the little shot of land in front of the property was less than perfect. It needed way more TLC than I was willing to invest in at first glance. Thank you, Hilary, for ensuring I opened the “ONE ONE”! I quickly emailed back the list of six properties I wanted to view. Each property had its own unique charm and appeal. I couldn’t wait to see them all in person. The anticipation of exploring each one was thrilling and nerve-wracking, to say the least. I kept repeatedly looking at the daily current property listings to see if any more farmhouses could be added to my appointment list, to no avail. I couldn’t wait to find my dream farm, but the number of properties out there was slim! The appointment date and times were given for us to view the properties. I knew viewing all six would make for one long day, but that meant all that was left was hopefully finding the “one” for us. The week seemed to drag along and torture me even more. I was ready to view all the properties and find the perfect fit for us. Soon enough, I would discover the long day would be worth the wait.
3. Touring properties and discovering potential gems
The day finally arrived, and we set off early to meet our realtor. The first 4 houses were a complete bust, either being too close to a major road or just didn’t sit well in my heart like a home should. The second to last home we visited gave me some hope, but the miles of desolate desert killed the overall charm of the house. The process of looking at properties can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. I had a small list of must-haves for the type of property I was looking for, but I also knew the importance of keeping an open mind to any possibility. I knew the things I would be willing to compromise on and the things I would not budge on. As long as I could reasonably fix up the property and get a reasonable price on it, the size of the land was the most essential must-have on my list. I did make sure I paid attention to the layout, flow, and overall condition of the home and property to ensure I wasn’t missing anything during the showings. There were lots of notes being taken for any needed repairs or updates that may have been needed. That way, I could consider those things in the overall cost of the house if I fell in love with more than one property.
As we toured each home, we encountered a few potential gems. But we had not found the one for us. As the day started winding down and hopes quickly dwindling, my excitement about the last house was slim. The previous property on our viewing schedule was the one in the email with the “*” note from our realtor saying to please make sure you look. It had a less-than-stellar layout, outdated for being a newer home; the land surrounding the farmhouse had been overfarmed and was pretty barren with a smile line of trees bordering to the north. But the kitchen and unfinished basement were why it was even on the list of looksies. Touring the properties was a crucial step in the farmhouse-hunting process for me, and it allowed me to get a feel for the space I would spend most of my time in or around. I envisioned myself living in this home and immediately saw the potential when we drove to the “ONE ONE” for the first time. With an open mind and a keen eye, I just discovered the perfect farm that will meet all my needs (for now, until I need more land to farm) and surpassed all my expectations. Thank you, Hilary!
4. Making an offer and closing the deal
After finding my dream farmhouse, it was time to make an offer and close the deal. Coming in under the asking price in a seller’s market has risks. What’s the worst that can happen? Closing a sale can often be a challenging task when it comes to negotiating the final price. In a seller’s market, asking for a lower price can be risky but sometimes suitable. I knew that the sellers needed to sell the farmhouse as much as I wanted to buy it. The owner had taken a job out of state a few months prior, and the family was tired of his commuting to work out of state every week. I discussed with the realtor the best way to approach the situation respectfully. I provided her with why I thought the lower price was reasonable and backed it up with facts and data from homes sold in the local area. This would support my position on the lower price.
A successful negotiation is about more than just getting the lowest price. It is about finding a win-win solution that works for both parties involved. I prepared myself to make some concessions during the negotiation process. Asking under the price in a seller’s market could backfire, causing the seller to feel insulted and end negotiations before they ever start. It never hurts to ask, and the fact that it had been on the market for over 100 days could only help my position. The power of curb appeal! Twenty-four hours later, I got a text saying, “Congratulations, you are well on your way to living on your dream farm! All agreements have been reached, and you have a closing date.” How do I sanely get through a couple of months of patiently waiting? All the worry that comes with the back and forths of all the closing things needing signatures and things that might need fixing along the way. Lastly, fingers crossing so tightly that nothing breaks this fantastic deal.Â
5. Staying positive and optimistic for future opportunities
It’s easy to get discouraged and frustrated when things don’t go as planned, but it’s important to remember that every experience is a learning opportunity. If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve encountered unexpected outcomes during your house-hunting process, it’s essential to stay positive and optimistic for future opportunities. One way to shift your mindset is to focus on what you have learned throughout the process. You may have discovered that you prefer a different area or that certain features are non-negotiable for you. These insights can help refine your search and increase the likelihood of finding a property that meets your needs. Another way to remain positive is to remind yourself that the right place will come when the time is right. It’s important to be patient and trust in the process. Remember that every property hunting experience is unique, and just because things didn’t work out this time doesn’t mean they won’t work in the future. Lastly, it’s crucial to have a support system in place. Friends and family can provide emotional support and help keep you motivated. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, don’t hesitate to reach out to your support system for encouragement and reassurance. With the right mindset and support, you can cope with unexpected outcomes and remain optimistic about future opportunities.
Thank you for joining me on my journey through the unexpected outcomes during my Farmhouse-hunting experience. Searching for properties can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and unpredictable. I provided some valuable tips while giving you an idea of some of the things I went through when searching for my dream farm. I wanted to share my processes and emotions by telling how I managed unexpected outcomes. I’m glad that no matter what happened during the farm hunting process, there was always another opportunity to find my dream one. I ensured I kept taking deep breaths, regrouping, and moving forward until I reached my end goal!
“Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it-and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo.”
~Wilma Mankiller, first woman to serve as Chief of the Cherokee Nation