Are you someone who’s either thinking about, dreaming of, or ready to start the process of buying your very own piece of land?

As a family-owned business at Clemans Housing Network LLC, my husband and I bring together our extensive knowledge and personal experience in doing just that. While my brilliant and charming husband brings a wealth of expertise in the mortgage and real estate industry, we’ve also recently embarked on our own property ownership journey, purchasing 1.5 acres along with a friend and setting roots in a home where we happily live amongst the flora and fauna that San Diego County has to offer.

Our goal in sharing this guide and our story is to empower you with confidence and knowledge as you navigate the land-buying process. Whether you’re dreaming of a city plot just spacious enough for a mini homestead or a sprawling countryside retreat, we’re here to reassure you that making your property ownership dreams a reality is entirely possible. 

Join us as we explore the steps involved in defining your vision, identifying your preferences, and figuring out your purchasing power. Through our practical guidance and personal anecdotes, we hope to empower you to take your first steps towards creating an enriching life of land ownership! So grab your notepad, a yummy drink, and let’s dig in!

First Up: Identify Your Vision 🧐

At Clemans Housing Network we are massive advocates for setting intentions and establishing clear values & goals to confidently guide your decisions. Before embarking on your property purchasing journey (or any journey for that matter), get clear on what’s most important to you. This will serve as your compass in your decision making along the way.

Ask yourself…what the heck is important to you?

Reflect on your core values and long-term goals regarding your future property. This step is crucial, so take your time here. What matters most to you? Why do you want to buy land? Perhaps you seek financial stability, aiming to invest in future development or generate revenue from rental properties or an event venue. Do you strive to live a life of environmental stewardship and self-sufficiency? A regenerative farm might be at the top of your goals list. Maybe building community is a core value. In this case, you may aim to find a space where you and your best friends can frolic around listening to CCR and hang out with your cattle dogs all day.

Design Your Dreamy Dwelling!

This is the fun part where you get to think BIG and consider what you want your perfect property to look like. Try to imagine the type of dwelling you’re living in. Do you envision a sprawling estate with ample space for gardens and livestock, or a compact urban dwelling with easy access to amenities and public transportation? Are you drawn to a cabin nestled amongst the trees, where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature? Or perhaps you’re inclined towards modern, minimalist home designs that prioritize energy efficiency and sustainable living. Think about where you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years. What do you see?

Finding Inspiration

It’s possible you’ve never given yourself permission to dream so big and need a little inspiration…and that’s okay! Pinterest is your new best friend. I also suggest going out to explore different properties around town or take tours of established properties and homesteads. Use inspiration to curate your vision!

Personal Insight: Besides knowing we wanted land, Drew and I were firmly in the ‘IDFK’ camp. So, we turned to the World Wide Web, compiled a list of open houses, dressed to the nines, and played the part of serious home buyers.

We thoroughly enjoyed our little charade of living the high life and dreaming of what our lives would look like if we lived on that particular piece of land.

This was such a fun date idea, plus it taught us invaluable lessons about the right questions to ask, and pushed us to dream bigger than ever before. Just be sure to respect the time of the agents hosting the open house if you do the same.

Set aside quality time to fully understand your vision for your property. With a clear direction, enthusiasm, and determination, you’ll be well-prepared to make the best decisions as you move forward in this process.

Map Out Your Musts & Manifest That Ish! 👀

Your “Envisioned Estate” List

The next step is identifying your needs… We HIGHLY recommend doing this in the form of a list. Give it a fun title you’re excited about like “Our Desired Dwelling” or something of the sort. This is where you’ll compile a full list of your ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves’ when it comes to your dream property. Consider the amenities and land features that make you say ‘YES, I NEED THAT ISH!’. List these in order of importance, with the highest priority items at the top and the less important ones further down. The items on the bottom of the list should be something that would be neat to have, but definitely not a need or requirement.

For Parties of More than One

If you’re buying property with friends, like we did, create a sheet (we like Excel) that breaks down into 3-5 sections with the left side listing all the different features and amenities that are most important to everyone involved. You will want to include your ‘must haves’ and ‘hard no’s’, and anything in between! The ranking system is totally up to you. Here’s an example of one we like:

• Must Have / F Yes 
• Would be nice but not necessary
• Don’t give a heckin’ hoot / Neutral
• Deal breaker / Hard No

Check out an example of one I made with Drew and our property-mate>

Home Features

You might consider features such as a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms or feel strongly about buying a place with minimum acreage and square footage. Maybe you don’t want a condo but are open to a townhouse? Add them where they belong. Would you love to have a walk-in closet but it’s not a ‘must-have’? Maybe this falls under the ‘would be nice’ category. Feel free to get as specific as you want because even if you purchase a property that doesn’t have all the amenities on your list, you now have a list of things to work toward.

Personal Insight: Remember those open house dates me and my husband used to do? It was by immersing ourselves in that process that we realized our desire for a nice master bedroom, a private outdoor space, and at least 2 bedrooms.

Land Amenities

Consider the utilities that your dream property is hooked up to. You may determine that you don’t want the hassle of a septic tank, so you will need to be hooked up to the city sewer. Perhaps the idea of a big well 🐋 on the property gives you anxiety, city water hookups will be high on your list. Maybe you know you want something rural but you need basic road access. Great! Add it where it belongs. If you aren’t sure what you may want or need, do your research.

Personal Insight: We liked the idea of purchasing land that was or could be entirely off-grid. We ended up finding a plot that is off-grid with the exception of power and trash, and we’d like to eventually be fully powered by solar one day. This was something that we were open to, but if we weren’t, this property wouldn’t have been the right fit for us.

Land Characteristics and Climate

Perhaps you’re looking to turn your property into a farm and you require a particular climate or elevation in order for your crops to grow in abundance. Or if you’re like me and NEED sun, throw that on your list (especially if you are open to different cities, states, or counties).

Take your time to carefully consider what matters most to you. Use online resources for ideas and inspiration. Document everything, keeping your list easily accessible for ongoing adjustments, reorganization, & additions. This is a crucial part of the process in helping you find the perfect property that meets all your needs and preferences 🤍

Time to Finance and Dance 💃🏻

Now that you’re SUPER clear on your vision, goals, and needs in your future prop, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and dig into the FINANCES!!!!!📣💥 Here’s your guide on how to secure financing for your perfect property.

Set Realistic Expectations

While it’s important and SO fun to dream big, it’s equally important to set realistic expectations. Recognize that buying property is a process that requires patience and hard work. Be prepared to adjust your plans as you gain more information and experience along the way.

Expert Insight from my husband (Drew): I always remind my clients that a deal isn’t done until you have the keys. Despite that, I found myself struggling to not daydream of how I’d decorate certain rooms, how I’d organize my garage, etc.

Do your best to manage your expectations and know that getting your hopes up is not just normal, but common. When you are at the finish line and own your home, all of those negative feels instantly go away.

Find your Loan Officer Vibe

The first step, if you haven’t taken it already, is to connect with a loan officer (also known as a mortgage broker or lender). They’ll ask you to submit a short loan application and provide necessary documents to determine how much you can realistically spend on your dream property, and then dial in the monthly payment to your preferences. Be prepared to answer questions about your finances, and feel free to ask your own. If you don’t feel comfortable with the first loan officer you speak with, you are free to explore other options! Submitting an application doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them. If your real estate agent refers you to a loan officer, you’re not required to work with them. Just as you’d take time to find the right career or doctor, it’s perfectly fine to shop around until you find a loan officer you feel comfortable with (and we encourage it).

It’s Time to Get Pre-Approved!

The moment we’ve all been waiting for! Before you start seriously shopping for homes or breaking ground on your property, it’s essential to understand your financing possibilities. Your lender will consider your down payment, debt-to-income ratio, credit score, current interest rates, and other factors to determine the maximum loan amount you qualify for. They will then tailor the loan structure to suit your preferences, including the preferred loan amount and monthly payment.

This step is crucial as it provides a clear understanding of your purchasing power. When you find a property you want to make an offer on, you’ll need to submit a pre-approval letter from your lender to demonstrate that you can afford it. 👌🏼

Expert Insight from Drew: I assist clients in obtaining pre-approval for financing, streamlining the application process and providing guidance every step of the way. With pre-approval in hand, and CHN’s resources at your disposal, clients can confidently pursue their home owning goals and make competitive offers on properties they’re interested in.

Well done! You’ve done it!

You’ve now laid the groundwork for your property ownership journey by defining your vision, getting clear on your priorities, and securing a clear understanding of your financial options. Remember, buying a home is a process that requires patience, diligence, and informed decision-making. As you move forward, consider these next steps:

1. Refine Your Search: Armed with your pre-approval, you can now start exploring properties that align with your vision and budget. Keep revisiting your lists of must-haves and values to guide your search.
2. Consult with Experts: Whether it’s your real estate agent, mortgage broker, or financial advisor, continue leveraging expert guidance to navigate complexities and make confident decisions.
3. Stay Flexible: As you delve deeper into the home buying process, remain open to adjusting your expectations based on market conditions and new information.
4. Celebrate Milestones: Each step, from finding the perfect property to securing financing, is a milestone worth celebrating. You deserve to enjoy the journey and the anticipation of finding your dream home!

With Lots of Love,
Michelle Clemans
Co-Owner, Clemans Housing Network

Let us help you get pre-approved for your dream property!