Introduction
Table of Contents
You can do a lot with one acre of land, and understanding the size is important It is much easier to visualize your acre of land when you think about it in terms of something you know, think 15.51 tennis courts. One acre is 4046.86 square meters, and the truth is, you can do so much with one acre especially if it is good quality rural agricultural land.
How Big is One Acre of Land?
If you are hoping to build a home, you can do that with a few trees, leaving plenty of room for growing. On the outskirts of most major cities, market gardens are supplying fresh vegetables and fruit to the people of the city.
Alternatively, one acre is plenty of space to build a sporting complex. One acre is a great size for establishing a native garden, and doing this would encourage the wildlife back to the city. So many possibilities for your one acre.
For those of us whose minds are never far from real estate, it is possible to build two dwellings, one for you to live in and one for other use including:
- Air BNB
- Holiday letting
- Family occupation
- Executive rental
In the future, this will be a permanent income stream, building your wealth on one big acre of land.
One acre can also be suitable for a few animals. and if local ordinance allows, you could have two horses, and even establish a riding school.
One Big Acre
An acre of land offers so many opportunities, and once you have established the future use of your land, walk around it as there will be a few surprises in store. If you are thinking of building on your acre, you need to make some decisions.
- Is your land flat or does it have a high point?
- If you build on the high point is there a view?
- Any rocky outcrops?
- Is there shelter from the prevailing weather?
- Is there native fauna to preserve?
- Any native animals?
- Any really big trees that you may need to protect?
- Is there a waterway passing across the land?
- Climate, does it snow there?
- Is there easy access, roads, rail, shopping centers?
- How far are you from emergency services?
Your Acre is 43,560 Square Feet
In every country ways of measuring size seem to be different, but square feet sounds really big, and if you are planning different uses for your land it gives you some scope to work with. When looking at your acre the standard shape is around 660 feet by 66 feet, making it rectangular. The land was surveyed many years ago, often by the British who used a form of measurement called chains, an acre is 10 square chains. If you are out in the country stepping out the distance multiply your length and width in feet to get square feet and then divide by 43,650. Or get a calculator! In the old days, bushmen used to all this in their heads, but a calculator is more effective, and if you do a lot of this, there are land conversion calculators available.
Advantages of an Acre of Land
One of the advantages of an acre of land is that it is cheaper to purchase. Once we leave the city prices go down, and although there are risks, with the right acre you will never lose value. The other great advantage is that it will get your family out of the city, and if you happen to live in an apartment, an acre of land can confer many benefits, as the children will learn so much (experiential learning) that you can never learn in the city.
In the future, they will thank you for your wisdom and foresight in adding another dimension to their lives.
Where is Your Acre of Land?
If you have chosen an area to purchase your land in, you will want to find out a bit more about it. There are various ways of doing this from attending planning seminars to going to the library and researching the area. But, one of the best ways is to talk to the locals, go to the hotel in the village and find someone who has lived there forever and after a couple of drinks, they will impart their local wisdom. You can learn so much in this way, from what they grow to what they farm, and more importantly why they live there.
The Remote Acre
If your acre is in a remote Alpine region, you will have enjoyed it all Summer. With the advantage of a cabin, it is cozy enough until the end of fall, and then you realize that Winter is coming and you have choices. You either don’t go there again until Summer, or you make it as Winter Proof as possible. The cabin will need lining, and the windows will need work, but if you have lots of wood to burn and snow chains on your car, it could be a novelty to take the family there for a few days in Winter.
If you have forgotten what real Winter looks like, life on your acre in a snowstorm will remind you. Make sure your family has lots of warm clothing. So get the sled out, and be ready for a hike in the snow, you will need about 3-4 inches of snow to go sledding as long as there are not too many rocks in the terrain. Take plenty of food and water with you, as if the snow continues you will be unable to leave. Snowshoes are a must to enjoy your acre in all seasons.
Your Big Acre Near the Coast
If you have purchased an acre of land up or down the coast, you will want to make the most of it all year round. If you decide to put a holiday house on the site, for very little money you can erect a transportable home. Transportable homes are not like mobile homes as they are more permanent and made of wood steel and gyprock. and the sort of materials not damaged in the moving process. Often referred to as single-wides or double-wides. They take very little time to complete, and this reduces the cost, as well as making them very environmentally friendly. For around $100.000USD you can have a completed holiday home. The house will look amazing when sited on your land, facing the ocean, and if you are in a warmer coastal area you will enjoy it all year. Builders are usually willing to modify the design to suit your needs and budget, so it could work out even cheaper.
Having an Acre of Land What to Look for Nearby
Having an acre of land gives you options, in fact, you may want to retire there when you stop working. Or even subdivide it and make some money as land becomes more valuable. These are some of the questions people ask before purchasing land in the country.
- 1.How is the property accessed?
There is a road right up to the allotment and you can drive straight in. During Winter you will need an off-road vehicle for the muddy track.
- 2.Is the property on town water and power?
The utilities go right to the end of the road.
- 3.How do we know where the boundaries are?
They are marked with surveyed pegs
- 4.What is the zoning of the property?
Residential, Agriculture
- 5.Are there any known environmental concerns, like contamination of earth or water?
No
- 6.Are there any easements on the property for adjoining owners.
Yes, the main sewer line runs across the back boundary of your land, so you won’t be able to dig in that area. That is why the price is so reasonable.
- 7.Are any government agencies planning to resume this land for a freeway?
No, the freeway is going in on the other side of town, see the map.
- 8.It seems to be isolated, where are the nearest neighbors.
Over the hill, half a mile down the road. But a young couple has bought the land next to you and plan to build in October.
- 9.I work from home and TV reception and cable are important for me. Is there cable?
Yes, once you have built you just get it connected.
- 10 My children are 8 and 6 where is the nearest school.
The primary school is in the village 3 miles away by car. The high school is 8 miles in the other direction, and there is a school bus to the high school that runs past the end of the road.
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If you are planning to live remotely on your big acre of land you will need a few life skills The first one is the ability to drive a car. The good news is that there are people everywhere who are willing to help you and advise you. In rural areas, people seem to have more time and often more concern for others. You will always be welcome in the country, and you will soon be oriented to what is available nearby.