Buying Land Without Building Right Away - Did You Know This?

Haha, goats are definitely entertaining - I had a neighbor who rented a herd to clear out his overgrown backyard, and it was hilarious watching them climb all over the place. But I wonder how practical they really are long-term...like, wouldn't you still need some cleanup afterward? Plus, what about fencing or shelter? Seems like it could get complicated pretty fast. Has anyone here actually tried goats for landscaping long-term? Curious how it worked out.

I've had a couple of clients who've tried goats for landscaping, and while it can be pretty effective (and entertaining, as you mentioned), it's not exactly a "set it and forget it" solution. One client initially thought goats would save him money on landscaping costs, but he quickly realized fencing was a bigger expense than he'd anticipated. Goats are surprisingly good escape artists, so you'll need sturdy fencing that's regularly maintained. Shelter isn't too complicated - just something basic to protect them from harsh weather - but cleanup afterward can indeed be a hassle. Goats don't exactly leave your yard looking like a manicured golf course...there's usually some uneven patches and leftover debris.

Long-term, it can still be cost-effective if you have a large area that's tough to maintain with traditional equipment. But if you're looking for neatness and precision, goats probably aren't your best bet. Still, they're great for initial clearing or tackling stubborn brush areas. Plus, they're pretty fun to watch - bonus points for entertainment value!

I've actually seen goats do a pretty neat job on smaller areas - my neighbor had them clear out some thick ivy, and it looked surprisingly tidy afterward. Maybe it depends on what they're munching on? Still, fencing costs are definitely no joke...

My brother-in-law tried goats for clearing brush on his property last summer, and honestly, it was impressive how quickly they got things under control. But yeah, the fencing was a real wallet-drainer...he joked that he spent more on the fence than he would have hiring a landscaping crew. I guess goats are cute, but not exactly budget-friendly landscapers unless you've already got the setup.

Yeah, goats can be a bit deceptive that way - seems like a cheap, natural solution until you factor in fencing and upkeep. I've seen similar situations with clients who underestimated initial setup costs. But once you've got the infrastructure in place, it does pay off over time. Plus, goats add some charm to the property...not something you get from a landscaping crew. Sounds like your brother-in-law learned a valuable lesson (and got some entertainment out of it too).

Totally agree on the goats - it's easy to overlook those hidden costs. We considered goats briefly but ended up going with sheep instead. A bit calmer, less escape-prone, and the fencing didn't need to be quite as intense. Still, you're right about the charm factor...nothing beats seeing animals grazing out back. Plus, once the fencing's done, it really does feel like the property value bumps up a notch or two.

Sheep sound like a smart choice, especially if you're looking for something a bit more laid-back. Did you run into any unexpected fencing challenges, or was it pretty straightforward once you got going? I've seen some properties where the fencing alone made such a noticeable difference in appearance and perceived value. It's funny how something as simple as animals grazing can change the whole feel of a place, isn't it?

We went with alpacas on one of our projects - talk about charm factor! But honestly, the fencing was trickier (and pricier) than we anticipated. Still, once it was done, the property felt instantly upgraded. Ever thought about alpacas down the line, or are sheep keeping you busy enough for now? Either way, sounds like you've made a solid choice.

Sheep do sound pretty chill, and alpacas... that's next-level charm, haha. I haven't jumped into animals yet - still just getting my feet wet with the whole land ownership thing - but hearing about your fencing adventures makes me realize how much there is to think about. Hadn't even occurred to me that fencing could be such a game changer for property value and feel. Definitely filing this away for later when I finally take the animal plunge. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Totally agree about fencing - it’s one of those underrated things that can really transform a property. I've seen clients initially overlook it, thinking it's just a practical detail, but once they invest in quality fencing, they're amazed at how much it boosts curb appeal and even resale value. Plus, if you're eventually planning animals, good fencing saves you from headaches down the road. Definitely worth budgeting for early on... trust me, your future self will thank you.

"Definitely worth budgeting for early on... trust me, your future self will thank you."

Couldn't agree more with this point. It's funny how often people underestimate the long-term financial impact of these seemingly minor decisions. I've seen folks skip quality fencing to save upfront, only to spend double later fixing issues or upgrading when animals come into play. Makes me wonder - what other overlooked investments might pay off big-time down the road? Anyway, smart thinking on your part to highlight fencing early... foresight always pays off.

Good points about fencing, but honestly, sometimes holding off a bit can make sense too. When we bought our land, we waited a year before investing in permanent fencing. Glad we did - plans changed, and the layout we initially had in mind wouldn't have worked at all. Sometimes flexibility early on can save you from costly revisions later... just something to consider.

Waiting a bit before committing to fencing does seem sensible, but do you think there's a risk of running into boundary disputes or security issues in the meantime? I've seen cases where delaying fencing led to headaches later on. Still, your point about flexibility is solid - plans almost always shift once you're actually on the ground. Maybe there's a sweet spot between waiting too long and jumping in too soon... Glad it worked out for you though.

Yeah, delaying fencing can definitely lead to headaches - had a neighbor once who casually started mowing into my property because there was no clear boundary. Took ages to sort out. Still, rushing into fencing before you're sure about layout can be pricey if plans change later... tricky balance for sure.

That's a good point - it's definitely a balancing act. I've seen neighbors get into disputes over informal boundaries, too. One neighbor planted some trees thinking he knew the line, only to find out later he'd encroached by several feet... expensive mistake. Makes me wonder, has anyone had luck using temporary markers or stakes to avoid confusion without committing to a permanent fence right away? Seems like a decent compromise until you're ready to build.

Temporary stakes can help, but they're still pretty informal and can shift or get removed accidentally. Maybe combining stakes with clear photos or even a quick drone video could help document boundaries better until you're ready to build? Has anyone tried something like that?

Temporary stakes are definitely helpful, but yeah, they can be a bit unreliable. I like your idea about drone footage - never thought of that before. A friend of mine actually had a boundary dispute a couple years back because the stakes got moved accidentally during some brush clearing. It wasn't a huge deal in the end, but it did cause some awkward conversations with the neighbors and a bit of extra paperwork.

Honestly, documenting boundaries clearly from the start is probably worth the extra effort, especially if you're not planning to build right away. Photos are good, but drone footage could give you a clearer overall perspective. Just make sure you're allowed to fly drones in that area - some places have restrictions or require permits, and you don't want to accidentally step into legal trouble while trying to avoid boundary issues.

Another thing I've seen people do is get a surveyor out early on and have them place more permanent markers or pins. It costs more upfront, sure, but it might save headaches down the road. Plus, having an official survey on file can sometimes help with property value or financing later on.

Has anyone here had experience with getting an official survey done early? Curious if you felt it was worth the cost or if you ran into any unexpected issues...

"Another thing I've seen people do is get a surveyor out early on and have them place more permanent markers or pins."

Yeah, getting an official survey done upfront can be a solid investment. I had a client who bought land intending to build later, skipped the survey to save money, and ended up with a real mess when they finally started construction. Turns out the neighbor had built a fence several feet onto their property years earlier. Sorting that out took months and cost way more than the initial survey would've.

Still, I wonder if there's ever situations where paying for an early survey isn't actually worth it? Like maybe if you're buying in a well-established subdivision with clear boundaries already set by previous surveys? Might depend on location or property type too...

"Still, I wonder if there's ever situations where paying for an early survey isn't actually worth it?"

Honestly, even in established subdivisions, I'd still recommend getting a survey done. I've seen plenty of "clear boundaries" turn out to be anything but clear - especially when neighbors casually plant hedges or build sheds that drift over the line. A quick survey upfront can save you from awkward neighborly chats down the road...trust me, those aren't fun conversations to have.

Totally agree with getting the survey done early. I've had a deal almost fall apart because the seller insisted his fence marked the property line - turned out he was off by nearly 5 feet. Ended up costing extra time and money to sort it all out. Even if you're not building right away, knowing exactly what you're buying upfront is always worth the peace of mind.

I'm curious, though - how common is it for sellers to be off by that much? I'm currently looking at buying a piece of land myself, and the seller keeps pointing out these old wooden stakes as the property line markers. They look ancient and honestly... pretty sketchy. Should I trust those at all, or is it better to just get a fresh survey done no matter what?

Also, does anyone know if surveys typically expire or become outdated after a certain amount of time? Like, if the seller had one done five or ten years ago, would that still be reliable enough to go by today? I'm not planning on building immediately either, but I definitely don't want surprises later on.

I guess my main concern is whether it's worth spending the extra money upfront for peace of mind, even if I'm not doing anything with the land right away. Sounds like from your experience, it probably is. But has anyone here ever skipped the survey and regretted it later? Or maybe skipped it and everything turned out fine? Just trying to weigh my options here before I commit.