Some retirees plan to downsize their lives and homes after a while, ostensibly to make things simpler and to have less baggage in retirement. But you’re different: You want to upsize and pursue a grander new life of homesteading as a retiree, with enough space to welcome family whenever they wish to visit, pursue crafts you never got to do, and create a different kind of life that you never got to experience.

The good news is that it is within your power to create the homesteading life you wish to live. Here are some tips from Kari Haas for finding a new home that will help you build the kind of self-sufficient environment you seek:

Look for the right kind of home

For true self-sufficiency and proper homesteading, Treehugger notes that you’ll need a large space—in both land and square footage of your house. Before you get a loan or do any specific research, know your budget and make a list of features that you will prioritize. Do you want a large enough plot of land so that you can raise horses? The Extension Foundation notes that one to two acres is a general rule of thumb when it comes to land needed for a horse to forage (30-38 acres per horse for non-irrigated dryland pastures).

Do you want enough room for a workshop—enough land to build one after the fact or one already on the property? Do you want to have enough space to have a large garden? Write these down to identify which are most important to you.

Hire a realtor

This could be the most crucial step in the process of buying your new home. They are practically necessary if you’re both buying and selling a home simultaneously. Having someone like Kari Haas on your team who understands the market, knows what you’re looking for, and can negotiate on your behalf is an incredible advantage. Realtors pay attention to details that you may not even think of, as well. If you have a real estate agent sell your current home, there’s a better chance of it selling at a higher price—there’s data to back it up.

Make sure you can afford your new home

A huge part of upsizing is making sure you have enough funds to afford the bigger space. You may be able to sell your old house and, thereby, cover the majority of the cost of moving into your new homestead. Just make sure you research the number of properties available in your area and check the property prices in your area and get a handle on how much similar houses are selling for, especially as the market fluctuates.

Start a new business in your home

As a retiree, you have time now to pursue activities you didn’t necessarily have the bandwidth for when you were working full-time. Why not turn those hobbies into a business to make money on the side? Not only will it help you afford your new home, but it will present you with an opportunity to do something fulfilling and provide a service or products to other people.

If you do decide to start a small business, consider using a formation service to form a limited liability company (LLC) to limit your liability, get personal asset protection, and enjoy tax advantages. Make sure to check on the rules of forming an LLC in the state so you’re up to speed.

There are countless options out there for aspiring and ambitious entrepreneurs – not to mention ways to streamline your business for the new age! For instance, if you’re looking to automate your business, spend some time getting acquainted with the leading robotics companies that are helping to shape the future of technology.

With a good amount of research and due diligence, finding a home for your homestead is certainly within reach. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be up and running in no time!

Whatever your real estate needs, Kari Haas can help you reach your goals with confidence.

Call 206-719-2224

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This post was originally written by a guest blogger, Ray Flynn