Survival Retreat Consulting: How to Lead your Family to a Secure Homestead in Rural America, Part Three – Rural Homesteads and Survival Property Key Search Criteria

How to Lead your Family to a Secure Homestead in Rural America, Part One – Introduction

How to Lead your Family to a Secure Homestead in Rural America, Part Two – Personal Threat Assessment


Many individuals make the mistake of taking a vacation to what they believe to be the ideal retreat location and spend countless hours driving aimlessly without knowing if they are even in the best area for their personal criteria. Maybe someone recommended “Rural Town USA” as the place to be! They contact a random real estate agent and spend a day or two looking at properties that don’t meet their needs, only to return home exhausted and frustrated.

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance! Although we’ve all heard this adage, few people take it to heart, even when it comes to acquiring a rural homestead or survival property. Here are the basic steps you should take before looking for a property.

The key elements and questions to consider in-depth for any retreat property search are:

  • Buy Land and Build or existing Home w/ Land
  • Region and Locale Choice
  • Location (and Access)
  • Property Attributes
    • Landscape (Soils, Terrain & Topography)
    • Water (Main and Secondary)
    • Energy Creation (Grid and Alternative)
    • Food Production (Animal and Plant)
    • Defensibility

Before delving into the enjoyable aspects of searching for a property, the most crucial factor to consider is the location of the retreat and the specific area it is situated in. This decision is typically the first step in the search process and, in conjunction with your personal threat assessment, is often responsible for your long-term success and contentment.

As we previously covered under the Personal Threat Assessment section it’s also important to ensure that the locale suits your personality and preferences. You should ask yourself questions like: Who are you? What do you believe in? What kind of activities do you enjoy? Are you single, married, or do you have children? If so, how old are they? Does the area provide everything that your children will need as they grow up? And the most important question, “Do the locals share your values and beliefs?”. Would you be willing to work closely with these people to establish a new community in the event of a collapse?

If a collapse scenario happens, would the property be able to meet the needs of its inhabitants? What about balance? The property should be a ‘no regrets’ acquisition balancing survival/sustainability with the location, aesthetics and overall feel of the land and home. Meaning, if nothing ever transpires and you find yourself sitting on your front porch with your significant other twenty-five years from now, sipping tea and watching the sunset over the mountains, you won’t have any regrets!

Buy Land and Build or existing Home w/ Land:

Choosing between vacant land and a home can present a challenging aspect of the property search process. It is important to bear in mind that while a home can be renovated, the land is permanent, and it should meet your requirements as it will ultimately determine how self-sufficient your property can be.

For those with budget constraints, finding the best land within a predetermined price range is critical. There will be compromises but overall should not be a major issue depending upon locale of choice (market prices). Overspending on land can compromise the capital needed for essential improvements. Remember, accounting for a well, septic and grid power and/or off grid system may be a significant cost based upon the locale chosen.

Those with the financial means and building expertise to create their dream retreat, acquiring the perfect parcel of land is a top priority. Purchasing a home can be more complicated, as a beautiful home may be situated on unsuitable