The Campfire Trail: November 7 - DIY Homestead - Where And How Do You Start? (Part 2)

November 7, 2022

Day 402 of the Adventure

With all of the short weather windows this time of year, we've been more focused on getting outside projects completed than keeping up with the DIY Homestead postings. Have no fear, they will all get caught up soon. Right now at the Cabin, we are trying to complete part of the back deck to have a platform to finish soffits and siding for the back of the cabin. Why, you may ask, is this important to the subject of "Where and How Do You Start?" The answer, is that it's a small, but important example of "Task Sequence". While it's smaller, it is no different than tackling any large project or goal. So, if you're following our story just to see the latest activity around the cabin, we have the deck framed now. If you're reading this for the Where and How to Start info, here it is.

In Part 1, I mentioned many of the anxieties we face when beginning to explore the idea of moving into a homestead or off-grid lifestyle. How most of those issues can be overcome fairly easily. The hard costs of buying land and all of the expenses related to moving onto the land can be another story. Simply making the decision to go for it leaves many of us standing there trying to figure out how to take our first step and make it happen. Make no mistake, there will be costs, and those costs can be significant. (I suppose I could exclude those who are bushcraft oriented who just hike off into a deep woods and disappear) For most of us, the decision involves the dream of having land to set up our home.

While land is a critical component, there are other factors that also play into the process. If you've followed our "Camp Run-Amuck project, you can see that happening in real time. Securing the land was one challenge, getting it built out to the point where it was livable included a sequence of additional events that needed completed as well. Due to many factors, that sequence did not always (or even very often) fall in place in a very good order. The very first thing I would say is to give serious consideration as to whether you plan to do a "Raw Land" project or purchase something that already has the basics on it. Basics referring to housing/shelter, basic water, waste-water and energy sources. Obviously, a raw land purchase is going to require much more intensive planning but can potentially save on costs by applying DIY principles. It's that route we took at our place and has saved us a lot of money. Choosing a raw land option requires a list of steps necessary to make the raw land livable. If opting for that route, you may as well create two lists, one related to finding and securing land and one related to all of the tasks and expenses of developing it. If opting for a property with a home and utility services, the cost of purchase will be the primary goal to consider.

As mentioned in part 1, that large goal of getting your feet onto your land is likely going to be the single biggest challenge. If you have assets to make the purchase, it's obviously easier. If not, then that process itself is going to require a plan. I feel that if you are reading this posting in the first place, it may be because the assets to not currently exist for you to just go shopping for land and buy it. For this reason, I will assume that the challenge of finding and buying land represents your biggest obstacle. If that is true, I want to encourage you to believe that we have bought a number of properties over the years without the necessary resources to pay cash or even get traditional financing. I will begin to expand on those ideas in the next segment.

Remember, we are starting a new Off-Grid Cabin Project shortly and will be video documenting the process. You can find a link to it here and be sure to Subscribe to follow the process.

Carry On

Adventure Quote: f you always do what is easy and choose the path of least resistance, you never step outside your comfort zone. Great things don’t come from comfort zones.” ― Roy T. Bennett

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost on the Trail (Guatemala)

SNEAK PEEK of our Upcoming OFF-GRID project

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Mountain Craft

Lye Soap Making

Rug Weaving

Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)

Pottery

Cornmeal Grinding

Blacksmithing

Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)