Building a Custom Home and Horse Barn From Raw Land!

It has been far too long since my last post. So much has happened in that time, and now that it is 2023, my goal is to post regularly 😀!

My last post talked about how I sold my house without a Realtor. So, it only makes sense to make my next post about what happened after the sale! I am all about making dreams come true, and this was definitely one of my biggest. Having a home where I could see my beloved horses from the windows, was a childhood dream. 

For those of you that hope to do the same thing, you must already know how hard it is to find land. And, just how expensive everything is! Before I'd sold my house, I had placed an ad on Craigslist seeking land. Having worked with Realtors already, I just wasn't finding what I needed. So...I specified the size, what it needed (perk test cleared, level, horse-friendly, not on a main street, what areas, etc). I also stated the price range it needed to stay within. I wasn't sure anything would come of it. It took a few months, and just when I'd lost hope of finding what I needed, I got the response I'd been waiting for! I quickly went to view it, and the rest is history!

It was raw land indeed. Full of trees, junk, mud, and....dreams! I'd already started thinking about how I wanted it laid out, but also made many notes and images of the final project. Looking back now, I am pleased with most everything. There are a couple of things I would have changed, but you often don't know this till you've done it.

Finding reputable contractors was a challenge, as well as, getting permits from the County. The weather was also a HUGE challenge as it rained more that year than it had in previous ones. 

I read so many great books by Authors like Cherry Hill who wrote "Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage: Designing and Managing your Equine Facilities" 

https://www.amazon.com/Horsekeeping-Small-Acreage-Designing-Facilities/dp/158017535X. 

I spent hours online and in the library. I also visited many horse facilities and asked a million questions! I interviewed several custom home builders with excellent reputations, and knew that I wanted "Stick Built" not a Modular Home. I spent many hours thinking about the floor plan that I needed. This would be one that allowed me to "age in place" so not 2-story (though there is a huge Bonus Room on the 2nd level with attached walk-in storage that is even bigger!). Also having enough space for storage, definitely a home office, and lots of natural light were top on the list! I was so grateful to have found an amazing contractor that did an outstanding job on the house. I wish I would've also used him to build the barn (which is another story!).

Needless to say, after construction started, I drove by my property almost daily as it was being built... which I highly recommend (just to keep an eye on everything). I also had a great friend with a DRONE that took aerial images as it was progressing!

Never had I thought I would be faced with some other unscrupulous contractors, numerous delays from weather and county permits, changes in my septic system design, some challenging neighbors (who did not want change near them), supply costs, etc. However, I am still so glad I did it, and I still feel it was completely worth the challenges!

For months after moving in, I dealt with a dust field! The land had been so torn up by the placement of the septic system, the driveway, and constant big trucks plowing over it. I found a great contractor to seed and fertilize which made a world of difference! I would highly recommend spending the time and money to do this promptly, and in the fall...not the spring!

3 years later, I can sit back with a deep sigh of wonder and gratefulness as I look at all of the work I've accomplished. There is still so much to do and always will be (that is homeownership) but it is an incredible legacy to be able to leave my son!

To see the sun setting over the trees at night is magical. Below is a picture right behind the riding arena. To hear the "sound of silence" is priceless. I can see all of the stars at night, and hear only owls and crickets. 

As a horse owner, there is also no greater satisfaction than to know that they are being well cared for. I'd had so many bad experiences at boarding barns, who charged ridiculous amounts with little in return. At least I always know they are being well taken care of now!

There are so many more details that I may add later, but I at least wanted to share with you where we are at now. My son is now 17, and loving the chance to live on acreage. He has learned so many things and will be so much further ahead when he sets out on his own! There is nothing better than to be able to raise him in this environment and to teach him so many things from it.

Each year will bring new changes as we continue to work on everything. I look forward to being able to spend time with my future grandchildren here and to making many wonderful memories.  

I will close by saying, "If I can do this, you can too"! Don't let fears or worries stop you. You will learn along the way. Life is too short to give up on your dreams!! I wish you the very best of success!!