Score-Card Of What To Look For In A "Have-More" Homestead

By the Mother Earth News editors

March/April 1970

I. LOCATION

Owner's or Brokers Name and Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .

Distance to your job . . . . . . . . . . . ..Commutation Expense . . . . . . . . . . .

Time . . . . . . . . . . . Condition of Roads in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

in spring . . . . . . . . . . . . Distance to: schools (school : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

bus . . . . . . . . ) to church . . . . . . . to town . . . . . . . . Telephone . . . . . . .

Available . . . . . . Electricity . . . . . . .Mail Del . . . . . . . . . Express . . . . . .

II. WATER SUPPLY

Town water . . . . Artesian well. . .. . . Shallow well. . . . . .Spring. . . . . . .

If other than town water have tested by State Health Dept. (free). Be sure you have a minimum of 2-3 gallon flow per minute even in dry season.

III. SEWAGE DISPOSAL

Municipal . . . . . . . . . . . .septic tank .. . . . . . . . . cess pool . . . . . . . . . . .

IV. LAND

Total Land Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Should be at least 3/4 acre of good, level land. Total of 2 to 5 acres to include orchard, pasture, hay field, and land to grow some stock feed.

Size of Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Depth of Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For family of five should eventually be 100 x 150. Dig holes several places. Top soil should be 7" deep; 12" is better. Important: if top soil only 6" or 7" subsoil should then not be hardpan or deep gravel.

Pasture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1/2 to 1 acre for goats; 1 to 2 acres for cow.

Hayfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not necessary-but will save you buying hay. 1 to 2 acres for 2 sheep; 2 acres for steer. 1/q to 1/2 acre for goats; 2 acres for cow.

Land for grain crops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part time farmer probably won't have time for grain. Additional 4-12 acres necessary to grow all livestock grain.

Woodlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Enough for fireplacefenceposts, etc.

Lay of land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At least 3/4 acre level; also hayfield level-pasture, woodland need not be level.

Natural Fertility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Observe present garden, vegetation, etc. Watch out for poor drainage, too sandy or too much clay, too many large stones.

V. OUT BUILDINGS

Garage . . . . . .Tool House . . . . . .Workroom . . . . . .Barn . . . . . . . . .

Poultry House and/or Barn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Barn for dairy, rabbits and poultry ideally should contain a minimum of 500 sq. ft. floor area.

VI. HOUSE (see diagram page 11).

VII. ORCHARD

Apple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peach . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grape . . . . . . . . . . . . .Raspberries . . . . . . . . . . . .

Strawberries . . . . . . . . . Blackberries . . . . . . . . . Blueberries . . . . . . . . . . . .

Currants . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Asparagus . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhubarb . . . . . . . . .

An established orchard in good condition is worth money. For a family of 5 this should contain: 5 apple,

3 pear, 5 peach, 3 cherry, 2 plum trees, 10 grape vines. . .

Small fruits: 50 raspberries, 100 strawberries, etc. (See pages 26-29).

VIII. OTHER

Shade trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(Good fencing is worth considerable)

Length of growing season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(Should be 120 days from frost to frost)

Neighborhood . . . . . . . . . . . . Land values going up or down . . . . . . .

Kind of Neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Possibility of disposal . . . . . . . .Selling . . . . . . . . .Renting . . . . . . . . . .

Extra land available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Desirable place to retire to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other people in neighborhood raising family food. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delinquencies in town . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is title sound . . . . . . . . . Have lawyer search title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Any zoning restrictions against raising livestock, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Asking price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How long property owned by seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Assessed value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Insured value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What price did owner pay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Sometimes you can get an idea by inquiring at the town recorder's office)

Why does he want to sell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is there a mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ ________

Down payment needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ ________

Estimated cost to repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ ________