5 Tips When Buying a Horse Property

Whether an equestrian by hobby or trade, owning a property that can accommodate horses is a dream for many buyers. There are many reasons someone may want a horse or be around them which include physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing. Along with owning a horse, or being a horse lover, some may consider buying a property for the horses. Reasons for owning land to house these elegant mammals include therapeutic reasoning and investing among others. Whatever the reason a person may purchase this type of property, knowing the tricks of the trade is helpful.

Here are the 5 tips when buying a horse property.

1.        Get a knowledgeable Realtor

When looking for an agent to assist in the buying of a horse property, it is important to find one that is qualified. Try and find a realtor who has experience with this type of property. Someone who has a passion for horses and is an experienced rider will understand the needs and wants the buyer has.

The right agent will listen to the wants and needs of the buyer and allow them to be exposed to a number of properties that may not have been seen without a realtor. They can provide insight and negotiate. Having industry contacts that include contractors and more is another added benefit of hiring a realtor.

A horse lover dreaming of owning their own acreage may think it is best to search for the perfect land themselves, but having a qualified professional stand in your corner has many benefits to the buyer such as the ones mentioned above.

2.        Think Long-Term

Like many real estate purchases, it is advised to think long-term before closing the deal. Finding your dream horse property with the perfect facilities and asking yourself questions to help get a better plan for your future with the property is recommended. Some questions to consider can include but not limited to:

·         How many levels of care?

o   Barns and stables can offer an inside board, pasture board, show board and training board.

·         Laundry or grooming?

o   Being the owner, will you or the staff be grooming horses? Clipping of muzzles, coats, eats and fetlocks. Maybe offerings will include sheath and tail area cleaning or a mane pull and braiding or even to bathe the horses. Having laundry services available is also a great feature to offer but will need planning.

·         Camps?

o   If considering a camp this will need space with opportunity for activities.

There are a number of services to be offered; once the owner knows their future plans they can better choose the right property for them. They just need planning so five years after the initial purchase an owner doesn’t have to sell so they upgrade or remortgage to pay for add-ons after a number of years.

3.        Get the Lay of the Land 

As you are strolling through the scenic land of your potential horse property, there should be a number of things to look out for. Large, beautiful trees make for a great view but some trees such as the red oak are poisonous to horses. Look for any low-lying areas that can be catchment areas for rain cliffs, gravel, river floodplains which can cause flooding. You may also want to consider running a soil test to check for acidity levels as you will be in the market for more alkaline soil. A land made for horses shouldn’t have swamps or steep mountainsides, so steer clear of those as well.

 4.        Know the Rules and Regulations  

Before making any big purchase such as a horse property, it is important to familiarize yourself with any rules and regulations. Failure to do so may cause a lot of hassle in the future that include fines and more. Some of the rules may include but not limited to:

 ·         No children under the age of 16 can ride without supervision

·         Riders under the age of 18 may only ride if they are wearing an ASTM/SEI approved helmet and must have a chinstrap that is properly attached while riding

·         No smoking

·         No dogs in close proximity to the horses

A good realtor will be able to provide some answers, and if they don’t know will be able to guide their client in the right direction to find the appropriate information.

5.        Building

Choosing to own a horse property is a big decision in itself, but deciding to build a barn on the land yourself is an even bigger decision!

Think about the location of the barn before making any more plans; what is the proximity of house to barn. This can be an expensive investment but not a great return if someone decides to sell down the road. It is important to research the cost before making a decision and weigh the pros and cons.

Buying land such as one you would find while looking at a Denver Equestrian Home can be a great decision to make with many added benefits. Using these tips can help you find the perfect property!