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How Do You Determine When Your Home Has Finally Turned Into a Farm?

By
Real Estate Agent with Florida Supreme Realty SL514814

It all starts out innocently enough.  Maybe it was Easter of '08 and Uncle Bob bought you a  little bunny as a gift to take care of.  He knew you wouldn't have a problem with that because you had just moved into your 2+ ACRE SPREAD at the outskirts of town.     

Then the little vegetable garden was staked out.  Not planted mind you but weeded and staked.  A few months later Sally brings over a couple of her husband's delectable tomatoes and you're back in the garden.  You sneak out to Home Depot or Lowes and grab a hoe or two so the kids can help out.  You figure it'll keep them out of trouble too.

Three years later and the dog doesn't leave the house because he's afraid the emu or the pig is going to rough him up.  The rooster wakes you up at all hours of the night, not just at sunrise like in the movies.  You pay more for the chicken's feed than you do for the meals for the rest of the family.

Man, are you getting tired of having eggs every time you sit down to eat? 

Your special backyard shoes stay outside the door so you don't track in any of the unwanted waste products into the house from your bevy of animals.  Uncle Bob doesn't visit any more.  Peter Cottontail now weighs 11 pounds and is actually a she with now 20 more cute furry faces to feed, all the while being permanent fixtures on the rear porch.  One hop and she's done for the day.  Pigs squealing, chickens chattering, geese sqwaking, and the garden.  Well, you know where the garden went. 

In your mind you know you're on the farm but in your heart these are your pets.  They need you for their survival.  Don't leave the home too long though because someone might like to have a little bacon sandwich or some nice chicken croquettes tonight.  What this all really boils down to is which would you prefer on that sandwich, some, mayonnaise or a little Miracle Whip?       

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Comments (18)

Tanya Van Blake-Coleman
Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI
Improving the Quality of Your Life

I'm not sure I understand your ending. I grew up on in a rural area and the cycle of life becomes apparent pretty quick to kids.

I am all for the pets though, as long as you have the space and you don't mind the care taking. I have a girlfriend who just adopted two baby goats. My first reaction was, WHAT!! but when I saw them I understood. They are soooo cute!

Aug 29, 2011 10:23 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Tanya, thanks for stopping by.  From suburbia to farm life is an eye opener.  The "spreadin' out" effect is different for everybody.  I'm just saying that even though the idea is a good one, most of us aren't cut out to be tending any semblence of a real farm and it seems to envelope us before we realize what we've gotten ourselves in to.  The ending is simply my way of painlessly downsizing the farm bringing us back to the reality of having pets.  Which is it going to be mayo or MW?  I always prefer Miracle Whip!   

Aug 29, 2011 10:36 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Well Kevin, one animal is good enough for me...with the kids we had 3 animals & it was too much to juggle.....you need to be able to really care for them well which I'm sure you do!

Aug 29, 2011 10:39 AM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Kevin it sounds like to me you DO have a farm, not just a bunch of pets.  Good luck. 

Aug 29, 2011 11:28 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Ginny, this is an observation, not anything that I'm into.  Two cats and we're good although friends have expanded their household and thankfully they do not live nearby if you catch my drift.  Last years addition was a tiny porcine runt which they named Yum Yum much to his chagrin.

Jim, when I retire I do want to have a farm here.  No, I'm not into the farm thing yet at all.  Mine shall be an alligator farm with a moat surrounding the entire ranch.

TO BOTH OF YOU I ASK:  Is it mayonnaise or Miracle Whip on your plate? 

Aug 29, 2011 12:02 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kevin,

You are so funny.  We had friends with multiple chickens.  They laid beautiful green eggs, and they also had 2 cats, and a gardent...I like your idea of the moat with alligators!  How about some hot oil off the turrets too.  LOL, A

Aug 29, 2011 02:04 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Oh Alexandra, you remembered the castle comment from a while ago.  Not just hot but boiling.  This post came about from friends being harassed by County personnel (not Collier County) who determined that their residence is now considered a farm and dramatically changes insurability for them.   What's your poison, Miracle Whip or mayonnaise? 

I thought that Green Eggs only existed in the mind of Dr. Suess.  I miss him!

Aug 29, 2011 02:47 PM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Kevin, Your post made me chuckle and reminded me of a property that I was in about a month ago.  There were 4 dogs, 5 cats, a bunny, a turtle and a bird.  I love dogs, however, when I entered the house one of the labs jumped up on me and pinned me to the door.  I tried to pry him off, to no avail.  I remembered to stay calm but I have to say that it was a bit unsettling.  That was the first time that I've ever found myself concerned about what a dog was going to do.  The owner was not able to control him at all.  I finally got myself unpinned. This house had turned into quite a farm.

Aug 30, 2011 07:36 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

That can be scary Sandy.  When my German Shepherd was alive he'd let everyone in without a sound or a motion.  You were not allowed to leave though until he okayed it with me.  He was fun and stood eye to eye with me at 103 pounds.  I'm sure Bailey would understand that same type of behavior with you too.  It's sad to see an owner with no control, the pet cannot be held responsible for that, it's a shame! 

Aug 30, 2011 09:30 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Kevin.

We both want a farm...

If only my will agree to that...lol

Aug 31, 2011 04:39 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Wishing you much luck with that transition Joshua, maybe someday we'll get our farms.

Aug 31, 2011 05:11 AM
EC, JF, Double R and Zoey the Cool Cat
Russel Ray Photos - San Diego, CA

I didn't grow up on a farm, but sometimes it felt like a farm with all the gophers and rabbits making themselves at home.

Aug 31, 2011 04:48 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Eric, in this particular case my friends "farm" was determined by a total number of animals observed.  What number must be reached to determine that only the County knows for sure.  We'll see how this evolves in the next month or so.  Being designated now as a farm, instead of residential causes huge insurance cost increases.      

Sep 01, 2011 01:31 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Good morning Kevin.

Sep 01, 2011 02:39 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Joshua, you know, I'll admit it's a good one too, however, it's still somewhat early.  Thank you!   

Sep 01, 2011 03:01 AM
Dee Mayers
Covina, CA
San Gabriel Valley, CA

Kevin,

Is the area zoned for the menagerie of animals?  If not, then I cannot possible have a farm.  Oh well, just a cat will be plenty.

Sep 04, 2011 05:17 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Hey I am from Nebraska but I grew up in the big city.  Come from a line of farmers and I can't say I could do this!  Did a little gardening but it didn't work out so well for me in the desert.  Now I have three Italian Greyhounds and they are more pets and not treats :)  Not enough meat on my guys!

Sep 04, 2011 06:03 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Dee, yes, the zoning is not at issue only the use which has now become farm instead of residential according to County criteria.  The designation creates problems for insurability which is now substantially more costly through the reclassification.  One cat, no problemo! 

Renee, if that's true then I know it wasn't McCook.  But I do know you can "square" and "line" dance although not simultaneously!  We're aware that those IG's are your pets because without them the holidays would not be nearly as enjoyable.  You need meat, go to the market!  I am so wondering what they're going to be this Halloween? 

Sep 04, 2011 11:04 AM