Buying Horse Property in South Florida - A few things to consider before the purchase
Many people who live in South Florida, actually are surprised you can keep horses here and have quite happy horses at that. It is all in the efficiency of planning your farm or ranch. Even an acre or two can support a horse or two as well as a residence. if you are used to having horses are larger properties, you might just have to learn how to deal with some of the challenges and obstacles of small farms. Issues such as grazing, pasture rotation, manure management, neighbors, windbreaks, etc. all will play a part in efficiently using every square foot you have to keep your horses happy and healthy.
Neighbors - Before purchasing a property, check out the neighbors, do they have crops or groves that might have seasonal spraying, etc. Do they have dogs or other animals that might bother or spook your horses (peacocks, cows, etc. are known to scare horses). Do they have stallions that might be a bother to you? Do they NOT have horses and look like horses might bother them (noises, smells, etc.). You can plan around some of these things with high shrubs, fences, proper Manure Management, etc. but see if there is something you WON'T be able to plan around before buying.
Site Layout - If the lot does not yet have a barn or facilities, see where the house is located on the lot to make sure their will be room for barn, paddocks, ring or arena, to make sure you will be able to best use your land. If you have very small acreage, keep this in mind and DON'T plan on taking up precious footage with pools, fancy front yards, etc. by taking that much needed space away from your horses. If you want these things, you might have to either find another location that is larger or re-think your priorities. If you are going to have a ring or arena, is it going to be lit at night? Again, keep in mind the location in proximity to neighbors if they are close, they may not appreciate the Fenway Park look when trying to catch a few winks of sleep. Cherry Hill's Book: "Horsekeeping on Small Acreage" (Actually any Cherry Hill Book!), is the Bible for Site Planning for Small Acreage.
Location of Property - Is this property located near places you would like to enjoy with your horses? Trails, show facilities, etc. While this won't be top priority, being near a trail where you don't have to trailer your horses is a bonus to some for some.
With the right planning and research before you buy and construct, you can really make your horse property very efficient and enjoyable.
Cherry Hill's book is wonderful for planning and a client has highly suggested the first half of Joseph Lannon's book on farm layout. See below.
Janie Coffey, Broker, GRI, TRC
786-252-4970
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