Taking a client out to look at horse properties adds a twist to the home buying process. Many people who own horses have their own set of needs with regards to the property they buy and sometimes it is difficult to find the perfect property for them at a given time. Finding a house is a very individual process and when looking for horse properties, finding a house the buyer likes and the right set up for their horses in their price range can be a challenge.
Often, you will find a great house and not so great barn or vice versa. When this happens, sometimes the solution is buy the house you want and build your horse's home later.
When doing this, there are some important things to look for in the land. How wet is the land? Are you in a flood plain or low lying area where your property will turn to mud when its occupants move in and we have a rainy season? How hilly is the land? Is there a good spot for the barn (i.e. - flatter area located up and out of a water runoff area). What about a ring or a place to park horse trailers? How is the house situated to these needs?
This week has been particularly wet for the month of December. Its actually a really good thing for someone looking to buy horse property because you can get a real feel for what its like...if you are selling a home, it's good to at least know your property well enough to know where water sits and/or runs off. If there is no fencing, a prospective buyer can then have a really good feel for where to put fencing and the information the seller can provide may be an asset.
Another consideration that should probably be thought of very early in the process are the needs of the people living in the house. Its not unusual for a husband and wife or a significant other to have differences in their needs and having animals on the property can add a little complexity. For example, A client of mine recently purchased a lovely home that sits in the middle of a 25 acre lot. They are now planning the barn and fence lines. When I stopped by several months after closing and started talking to them about their plans for building a barn and putting up fence lines, we found some things they hadn't thought of. Often there is more than one person involved in building the barn - the horse person and the spouse, father/mother, or non horse person significant other...the needs of these individuals are probably different. For instance, dad wants the front of the house to look pristine but its also the prime location for a nice pasture or paddocks...what do you do? It pays to find out what each party in the home needs or thinks they need before starting. In the case of this particular client, they made a fencing change in their plans after discovering what dad wanted and where the best place for the barn was.
Ok, back to the barn....The next thing to consider is access to the barn via a driveway - can big trucks get into the barn area for hay deliveries, sawdust deliveries or feed deliveries. Is there a place to store the truck/trailer and tractors? How does the access to the barn effect your lifestyle? In other words if you are planning on building a barn and having boarders, is a driveway right next to your bedroom window ideal for traffic coming and going? Most people would say not, but sometimes the lay of the land leaves you very little option with regards to access to the prime location for the barn.
Building a barn is a very individual process. Some people can get by with a run in shed, or a shedrow type barn, others need the full center aisle. The needs really are dependent on what the buyer does with their horses. There are numerous barn plans online and many great alternatives if you need to keep the cost down...alternatively, there also is no limit to how fancy your barn can be either! Interview several builders to determine what their price includes...often things such as the driveway, prep work, electrical, water and the pad is not included in the actual barn building. So, remember to ask about these things when you meet with the builder!
Did I mention county and homeowners approvals? If you live in Loudoun County, you may want to check out this website for Permit information: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=642
When looking at horse property take a horse person with you! An agent who has horses and has the knowledge will be a key asset in your home buying or selling process. Email Sonja Adams, your equestrian specialist, today at SonjaAdams@verizon.net for assistance in buying or selling your horse property!
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