When buying a farm in VA, or anywhere, you need to ask yourself several questions. What do you plan to do on the farm? What is zoning? Will you have crops or livestock? If livstock, what and how many will reside on your farm? How many acres will you need to properly provide for their grazing needs? What kind of fencing does the farm have? How much are you willing to invest in new fencing? Is the an existing barn? Are there sufficient run-in sheds? What is the terrain like? Is the road leading in and out paved or gravel? Is their an HOA? Is there a road maintenace agreement? Is there a pond or stream on the property? What are the rules on parking horse and livestock trailers? What type of grass is growing in the pastures? Do you plan on making hay? In Loudoun county VA, is the property already enrolled in the land use program? Do you know how many cows per acre are required to qualify for land use tax discount? Do you know how many sheep per acre are required to qualify for the land use program? If you are not worried about keeping an existing farm in the land use program, or decide to take a property you buy out of land use, do you know how much the roll back taxes will be that you'll have to pay? Are you prepared to buy tractors, bush hogs, and farm equipment to maintain the property? Is there a barn with a loft for hay storage? Are you going to engage in breeding or animal husbandry? Is hunting or discharging a firearm on propety allowed? Are there restrictive covenants?
These are just some of the questions and considerations you need to think about when you decide to buy an existing farm in Western Loudoun county VA or Faquier County VA. There are many beautiful farms and land in Loudoun and Faquier. You can buy an existing farm, or buy a large parcel of land and build your own! Will 10 acres serve you needs? Or do you need 20-50 acres for your housing and farming needs? Are you still commuting to work in Arlington VA? If so, consider the commute time and the time it will take you to maintain a 20+ acre farm. Many people with 30+ acre farms will keep 10 acres around the house for their farming needs, and let a local farmer make hay and/or keep livestock on their other 20 acres. This saves them maintenance time, and lets them qualify for reduced real estate taxes if they are enrolled in the land use program.
If you're interested in buying or selling farms or land in Loudoun or Faquier counties, contact Jeff Pearl. 35 + year resident of Loudoun county VA.
Jeff Pearl / REALTOR / Lic in VA
Re/max Distinctive - Reston VA
703-727-4876
Homes / Land / Farms
myhomesdb.com/jeffpearl
Equal Housing Opportunity Provider
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