Whether it be a small modest home on just enough acreage for one little pony to multi-million dollar equestrian estates, real estate in this department requires a specific field of knowledge including equine health care, safety, state liability laws and pasture management. When marketing the listing toward potential equestrian use, there is a lot that goes into deciding if the property really is suited for horses.
1. Finding a good real estate agent makes horse property hunting easy.
A competent and professional real estate agent will listen to your needs. A real estate agent can provide you with a list of properties that you cannot find on your own. A competent real estate agent will use their expertise and knowledge to find the horse property that suits your needs and budget. On our website, you can find real estate agents committed to pairing you with the sellers in the equestrian real estate market.
2. Think long term when buying the horse property.
When you are purchasing any property, you should think long term. Your needs change over time, so you need to be entirely sure your horse property is the perfect decision. Think: what do you want to do in five or ten years? Is this a good investment? What will you do with the property if you decide to relocate? What are your long term objectives for this property? So, keep in mind all these questions when you are buying the right horse property. Also, keep the cost of future renovations in mind when determining your budget.
3. Location, location, location.
When choosing a property, it is essential to think about the location. Commuting to your work or driving to the grocery store can take a lot of time and a lot of energy. So, you need to find a location near all the institutions, work, and grocery stores so you can have more time to spend with your horses. The less time you lose commuting, the more time you will have to maintain the vast property that you are living in.
4. Pick the right type and size of horse property.
Another important factor. When buying the right horse property, you should be informed about the government laws on how many horses you can have per acre. These laws exist for a reason. They support the health of your animals and the proper usage of the land. The recommended pasture acreage to support one horse is 2.5 acres. Keep it in mind when you start your horse property hunting. Your horses need plenty of room to move.
Not all land works well with horse keeping — steep slopes, heavily wooded areas and marshy areas with poor soil drainage are things to keep an eye out for. Steep slopes put undue strain on delicate tendons and ligaments, sharp tree branches are all reaching out to scratch unprotected eyes and soupy soil can cause hoof walls to rot and weaken.
Very rocky soil can cause bruising to tender soles of the hooves and stress and crack hoof walls. Farms with standing water can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes that can transmit potentially fatal equine diseases.
Do your research, and also find out if the property is going to have adequate water for equine needs. The average horse drinks five to 10 gallons of water per day, so having a deep well with high yield will come in handy filling 150 gallon troughs.
Also, know where the “after effects” of all the grass, water and grain a horse eats is going to go. The average 1,000-pound horse gives off 37 pounds of manure and 2.4 gallons of urine a day.
5. Inspect the property
Buying a large farm for a small price is appealing, but be careful as sometimes it requires a lot of work, time, energy and money. When purchasing an equestrian property, you should perform an inspection before closing the deal. You want the property that meets your needs and budget.
Inspect all the fences, buildings, stables and other parts of the property for safety. Check the electrical in the barns, water pipes, roofs, and foundation. Make sure that your potential horse property is in the best shape for the price you pay. If there are things that must be fixed, make sure to have easy solutions for all the potential troubles. Your budget should cover the potential risks, problems and maintenance. Remember, you need to weigh your preferences and priorities. You don’t want to overpay for the property that requires a lot of repairs.
Here are some things you should think about when you visit your potential property:
Check the age of horse stalls and buildings
Extra features
Type of fencing
Drainage systems
Plumbing, water heater, and electricity
How well-maintained and safe the structures are overall
6. Check your neighbors
When buying any property, including a horse estate, you should check the neighbors. It can be hard to meet them but take a look at their property to get an idea of who you are dealing with. You want friendly and quiet neighbors that can help you when in trouble. So, avoid buying the horse property near troublesome neighbors.
7. Visit a few different properties
The last but not the least – start searching on time so you can visit a few different horse properties. To make the best decision you should compare more equestrian real estates. Make sure to know your budget. There are horse properties different in sizes, prices, and outbuildings.
Always remember a true horse person is going to want what is best for their horses.
Check out this beautiful listing in Carnation, WA!
5 STAR FARM | 20 ACRES | 28 STALL BARN | CARNATION WASHINGTON
Follow us:@jlsbothellmukilteo on Instagram | @jlsbothellmukilteonw on Facebook
Are you thinking of selling your home? At Buy. Sell. Live. Northwest, powered by John L. Scott, we have friendly Agents on hand to assist you every step of the way.
Presentation, Promotion, and Pricing
Getting your home sold quickly is an important factor in getting you top dollar. We use a combination of neighborhood-specific knowledge, buyer trends, and the latest market analysis technology to provide you with the most accurate pricing recommendation.
Communication is Key
Behind every successful transaction lies one important ingredient; communication. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way with feedback of your property and changes to the market that may impact your listing, it is our goal to keep you updated every step of the way.
Contact us for a Comparative Market Analysis and Listing Presentation
Buy. Sell. Live. Northwest
Office Phone: (425) 949-8434
