As most of you know, Hubby and I are trying to find a horse property down by Camp Roberts (Paso Robles, CA).
We have to consider the regular things: cost, structure, number of bedrooms, horse facilities… on and on and on. There are so many variable and compromises one makes to hermit crab oneself into what someone else has created.
Hubby and I have been doing that dance… “Well, if we don’t have an office space maybe we can build something outside…” or, “It is far from the freeway but we pass the Supermarket on the way home from work…” or, “Yes, it is steep but we could cut another road into the mountain and create a space for a shelter…”.
And of course, the regular horse owner concerns: fencing, gates, flat lands, shelter, shade, water/water access, what kind of soil, who would go where, riding access, neighbors/neighbor animals, trailer entrance and turnaround, hay storage, sickbay area, trailer storage, where is the feed store, who sells the hay, farrier, vets, vet hospital distance… etc .
And so it goes…
But, a very wise friend told me about THE OTHER THINGS we need to consider when purchasing a horse property.
This is an MLS photo of one of the horse properties we visited.
THE OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HORSE PROPERTY.
So, I was on the phone with a friend of mine – who likes to restore homes on the side – chatting about the pros and cons of certain properties… and she started asking me difficult questions.
Well not difficult questions, but questions I couldn’t answer and neither could my Real Estate Agent (bad sign).
–Do you know who has the water and mineral rights?
–How about former ground pollution?
–What is underneath the ground in the area?
–Any history of dumping or mining or agricultural no-nos?
–What about the neighboring easements?
–Did you know that if you don’t own your land’s mineral rights, they can be sold?
–Why is the area no longer being used to grow barley? Are you sure Farmer John didn’t use chemicals that would be bad for your horse?
–What about that vineyard next door? Do they spray?
Another… very barren property.
AND THEN SHE SAID…
My friend went on to say:
This information will not only help you in the long run regarding any property, but it will also make you a strong negotiator.
When you uncover this stuff, you have ammo. You can bargain with confidence.
You’ll find yourself saying to the seller, “I’m going to tell you the reasons why you are going to cut me a deal…”
Of course, many properties will have no issues at all… but if you find one you like, and the issues don’t bother you, they will be a great negotiating tool.
Another one… it was too steep for the horses.
SO, I THOUGHT I’D PAY THIS FORWARD AS I DO MY HOMEWORK!
I have several phone calls to make to the County Geology Department tomorrow. I’ll start there and see where it leads me.
Interesting, eh?
If you have more to add, PLEASE COMMENT!
This one had trees and beautiful land, but the floor sloped… going to check that out with the County.
MAMA TESS’ TREASURE CHEST OPENS AGAIN – HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
1) I received another beautiful, natural, rustic amber necklace surrounded by eco-friendly tin and copper wire on a 32″ chain from Tess’ artist benefactor in the UK! The pendant itself is about 2″. Great alone or layered!
SOLD! THANK YOU, (very fast draw there, pardner…!) Barbara!
Click image to enlarge.
2) Another piece to help Tess’ medical bills: Czech glass Saucy Beachy spheres and circles with Sterling Silver Star at the natural Chrysoprase nugget closure 16″ – Great shade of blue for stand alone or layering! I am wearing it at the top of the trio pic below! Love it! (All the necklaces in that trio are available for sale, just email me
!)
Click image to enlarge
It is the top one in this layered pic. (However, I’d sell any of these to help Tess so if you are interested, just comment or email me.)
Click image to see more jewels that benefit the horses!
This article is actually outstanding. Excellent details being shared.
Another one to consider is access to good farriers and vets. I moved to a new area and spent FOREVER finding a good farrier again. This is something to consider if you buy, rent, or board and something we often take for granted
It is VERY important to find out about the vineyard practices. I have lived in the Paso/Creston/Templeton area for 14 years, caretaking at several different properties. I had to re-home my mustang (he went to Texas) when the vineyard next door sold and changed managers, also changing the way they treated the property. Tractors going at all times of night/day, putting netting (from large tractors) on the vines (when they didn’t do that before); men in “white suits” that looked like aliens; spraying fertilizers at all times, which could sometimes be smelled for days, etc. My poor mustang became so sleep deprived that he could never stay still, never get enough rest, even tho he was fine at the previous property and also fine at this property until the vineyard changed practices. He was not alone, in a large paddock w/one of my other horses, plus in the company of at least 5-6 other horses in adjoining paddocks, none of whom reacted as badly as he did. The noise and tractors (and smells) were also bad for the humans, we would wake up in the middle of the night, or couldn’t get to sleep w/the noise and lights.
Of course, the biggest issue going right now is the water supply. Many wells around me have gone dry, and the vineyards continue to put in more vines, and dig more aquafirs. Many people near me who had to put in new wells last year now have “sulfur” water b/c of the new massive vineyards.
Don’t mean to be such a “downer”, but just be very aware! And about that picture that was “barren” of trees – that is pretty normal! I think of you a lot when ever I see places for sale!
GREAT, LORRIE. THANK YOU!
Water easements; you’ll know about NID (Nevada Irrigation District) they had water rights easements on my property and dug trenches, laid pipes, heavy equipment all over my pastures, horses running everywhere, etc. when I wasn’t home. Legally they could come onto my property without my permission due to the easement. Real Estate agent never informed me or anyone else. And they cut the lock on my gate to gain access to my property when I wasn’t home. My one horse fell in the trench, lucky she didn’t break her leg. Any Easements are a no, no!
EXCELLENT! THANK YOU!
Consider timber rights as well. Many unknowing people have sat in their cars horrified as logging crew begin decimating the trees on the land that was to be their dream home site. Unknowingly the bought only the land, not the trees.