How To Find Your Dream Homestead

Welcome to Finding The Dream Homestead Property! This course is designed to help you find your dream homestead property without feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start. In this course, you will learn a proven framework for assessing properties, which will allow you to view the most properties in the least amount of time. The framework includes identifying acceptables and non-acceptables, assessing threats beyond your control, and applying 11 criteria based on P.A. Yeomans’ Scale of Permanence. You will then watch the instructor, Daniel Cortes, review over 50 properties in real time, and learn how to quickly assess properties, spot threats, read geography, and know where to look for water. By the end of this course, you will have a new level of confidence and be able to apply the framework to any property, anywhere in the world. Let’s get started and dig into the framework!

Welcome to this lesson, where you will learn about acceptables and non-acceptables as a crucial part of your property search process. Your context and personal preferences will determine what falls into these categories, and they will serve as a lens through which you evaluate potential properties. Disqualifying properties that do not meet your non-acceptables right away is critical to save time and narrow down your search. By identifying what you want, you will increase your chances of finding the perfect homestead property that meets your needs and expectations. Let’s get started!

In this lesson, you will learn about threats that are beyond your control and have the potential to cause harm to your homestead property. Identifying potential threats early in your property evaluation process can help you avoid properties that pose a risk to your health and homestead development. These threats can include being in a flood zone, tornado alley, or near commercial power lines or cell towers, as well as exposure to GMO agriculture or high crime rates and low median income areas. Identifying threats is a critical step before proceeding with a full evaluation of the property. Eliminating such properties early in the process can help you save time and effort. Let’s dig in and learn how to avoid properties with significant red flags!

Welcome to the Model that we use! This lesson is designed to teach you how to evaluate properties efficiently and effectively. You will learn about the 11 criteria that are based on the Scale of Permanence and how to evaluate each property systematically based on these criteria. The main objective is to identify properties worth pursuing further, and assigning a letter grade to each property will help you make bulk decisions based on criteria. It is recommended that you focus on the highest value properties first and sort them based on where you will spend your time. By following this process, you can quickly evaluate properties and make informed decisions. Let’s take a deep dive into this lesson!

This lesson will introduce you to the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification System, a useful tool for categorizing the world’s climates based on temperature, rainfall, and heat. The system uses colors and shades to classify climates, providing a better understanding of a place’s climate. It consists of three parts: the first part represents the five categories of climate, the second part represents precipitation, and the third part represents heat. To view properties on Google Earth, use the Köppen-Geiger layer, which is different from the colors shown on the maps during the zone introduction. Incorporating the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification System, along with tools like Google Earth Pro, can offer valuable insights when assessing properties. Let’s take a dive deep into this lesson!

In this course, you will discover a range of tools to help you maximize the effectiveness of your property search. These tools include the framework guide, Google Earth Pro, the Köppen-Geiger overlay, and Google Earth. You can also access an evaluation sheet to help you assess each property and sort them in a spreadsheet. Additionally, suggested property sources include realtor.ca, realtor.com, and redfin.com, along with other sources of data for climate, geography, and demographics, such as Google, the Government of Canada website, and SASdesign.com. Checking maps from government websites for plant hardiness zones and Köppen-Geiger classification maps for the US and Canada is also recommended. By utilizing these valuable resources, you can efficiently and accurately search for properties. Are you ready to delve deeper into this lesson? Let’s get started!

In this lesson, you will learn how to effectively use Google Earth as a primary tool for evaluating properties. While the program is free to download, it requires a decent computer as it can take up a lot of memory. The terrain layer is essential to gain a 3D view of the geography, while borders, labels, and roads can provide valuable information. Organize your properties using folders and subfolders for different locations. The ruler tool allows you to draw lines, paths, polygons, or circles to measure distances and areas accurately. Another useful tool is the Köppen-Geiger overlay, which shows microclimates that intersect with geography, water, soil, and climate. The historical imagery tool and the polygon tool are also helpful in obtaining information about properties. Let’s get started!

In this course, you will come across a number of caveats that you should be aware of. The first caveat you will encounter is the plant hardiness index, which is based solely on the average annual minimum temperature. While both the US and Canada have their own indexes, you will be using the USDA’s in this course. The second caveat involves the significance of infrastructure when it comes to properties, which can add value to a property. It’s important to note that when it comes to properties, there is a significant amount of subjectivity involved, and what one person considers an “A” property might be seen as a “B” property by someone else. Another factor to consider is the variety of zones, flora, and fauna across different states and provinces, as well as how just categorizing a place based on zoning alone does not provide much information. Throughout this course, you will evaluate both raw and developed land to effectively compare prices. Let’s get started and uncover the important factors you need to consider!

This lesson will introduce you to the process of searching for properties and creating a list of potential options for further evaluation. To start, you will need to establish your parameters, such as the type of property, size, location, and other specific features you are looking for. Once you have a clear idea of what you want, you can use online resources like realtor.com to search for properties in your desired area. As you go through the listings, open new tabs for properties that catch your eye and quickly evaluate them based on their photos and available information. Keep in mind that this is just the first step in the process. Next, you will need to evaluate each property more thoroughly, draw out the property lines, and gather information on the property dimensions. From there, you will start your analysis and determine which properties are worth considering further. Are you ready to explore this lesson in depth? Let’s begin!

In this module, you will learn how to efficiently search for and gather information about properties. To get started, bookmark the real estate listing and use Google Earth to locate the property boundary. Make an educated guess by observing the shape of the property boundary; if it appears to be a square, it is likely the property line. Save the information in a designated folder for further evaluation. The key is to quickly identify patterns, make informed decisions, and disqualify properties that do not meet your criteria. Determine your acceptables and non-acceptables, such as your desired price point, location, and features. Finally, take advantage of the bonus section to apply what you have learned and make well-informed decisions. Let’s dive into the details of this lesson and start your journey to effective property searching!

Welcome to this lesson on finding basic data points for properties. Throughout this lesson, you will learn how to effectively search for important data points such as climate classification, geography, and demographics for specific properties. One way to start is by using climate classification maps to determine the climate zone of the properties, followed by searching for specific climate data for each property on Google. Taking detailed notes and analyzing each property’s data, including geography and field area measurements, is crucial. You can then grade each property based on the collected data, factoring in basic demographics such as median age, household income, and estimated house value. Using a large monitor can also help you divide the screen and make the process more efficient. Let’s dive into this lesson and gain valuable insights!