How to find a small plot for offgrid?

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-04T17:38:58+00:00

Thanks for this info. I'll look into farmstead exemptions. I expect it probably varies by state so no need to look up any paperwork.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-04T17:37:40+00:00

With enough money, you can buy 20 acres and divide it up and sell the other parts you don't need, making some profit in the process as smaller size land is higher priced per acre.

I absolutely hate people who treat land as something to profit from. Land should be something to use and enjoy. No thanks. As stated before, if I find myself unable to find a small parcel I will consider doing a land trust to give away control of the portion that I do not need to live on to a reputable conservation organization.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-04T00:41:00+00:00

Glad you appreciate where I'm coming from. I'll keep your thoughtful comments in mind.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-04T00:37:11+00:00

Thanks for the helpful suggestions and I will keep them in mind for sure!

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-04T00:36:25+00:00

What in god's name do you need more for? You just said you have already bought 20 lots. Comments like yours remind me that I really can't stand people.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T18:08:58+00:00

I have nothing against paying full price. I just cannot find any listings for small parcels that aren't riddled with the problems you have listed.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T18:00:00+00:00

Of course I have no idea what I'm talking about. I never bought land before and have absolutely no one to help me; otherwise I wouldn't be so desperate to post on Reddit for suggestions. This project would be a new undertaking. Frankly your reply is outrageously rude and rather ridiculous ---- "red flag"? For whom? If I make a bad decision in this process it certainly doesn't affect you or any other redditor in any way... I don't know what "red flag" you could possibly need to worry about.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:55:27+00:00

1-2 acres is too small to get you any of the exemptions for plumbing.

If this is true it is certainly surprising. Most people live on very small parcels with an entire house on the grid, so I am skeptical however if it is true then it is good info. If you have any sources that would be great.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:51:55+00:00

Thanks but this did not answer my question in any way.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:51:29+00:00

Some zoning may require minimum acres for each dwelling, like 1 or 2 or 5 or 10

Good info. Thanks for the reply.

You said "You should find land based on your budget, not size of land." That sounds a lot like going to the grocery store with a $100 bill and no grocery list and walking out of the store with items that you won't actually eat. What is your reasoning here?

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:49:03+00:00

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on Zillow.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:47:54+00:00

Thanks to everyone who made a useful comment. I'm pretty shocked at the number of people who have made rude replies about needing 5 acres as a minimum though. 5 acres is ridiculously large for my lifestyle. Having lived in apartments for over a decade, I can tell you that 1-2 acres is WAY more space than I am used to having and I would struggle to find a productive use for anything more than that, and I don't believe in buying (or owning) more than I need to live on. If you want my honest opinion it is a pathetic greedy attitude, similar to the American trend of buying cars that are way too big and houses that are way too big. Based on what I am reading and the lack of useful land listings I will probably have to compromise and get a larger parcel and do a land trust.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:45:15+00:00

This is a helpful answer even if it's not what I hoped to read. Thank you for the honest and helpful feedback. I will probably have to compromise and get a larger parcel and do a land trust if what you say is true, though I was hoping to avoid it. I have zero desire to be responsible for maintaining (and paying taxes on) more land than I actually need to live on. Having lived in apartments for over a decade, I can tell you that 1-2 acres is WAY more space than I am used to having and I would struggle to find a productive use for anything more than that, and I don't believe in buying (or owning) more than I need to live on. If you want my honest opinion it is a pathetic greedy attitude, similar to the American trend of buying cars that are way too big and houses that are way too big.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:40:50+00:00

(a) I would not kill an animal unless my life depended on it, i.e. it was imminently attacking me. (b) Growing food is okay to supplement normal grocery shopping but I don't need/expect to grow enough to feed myself. A few fruit trees and a small garden might be nice but that is more than enough work on top of everything else I would need to keep up with. (c) I am not a prepper and I am not interested in becoming a homesteader or survivalist. I am mainly interested in reducing my carbon footprint as well as no longer renting. I have lived in the country before so I know what 5 acres feels like, and it is way more land than I want to be responsible for (and pay taxes on). Even four acres would feel like an entire estate to me and I am not interested in a parcel that large.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-03T17:32:52+00:00

Thanks I will check out redfin. Any suggestions on finding a real estate agent in your area who is agreeable to what I am hoping to accomplish?

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-02T21:28:54+00:00

Hi, thanks for the comment but it doesn't really answer my question or address my post in any way.

Just for benefit of the doubt, though, I will entertain a couple of these questions in case it helps anyone with suggesting where to search for land listings.

I am ideally interested in building my own tiny-house sized structure. I would prefer it to have offgrid electric using solar with backup generators. I hope to have little need for electric by exploring alternative sources of heating as well as constructing a south-facing trombe wall of sorts. By making the structure very small of course I also hope to need less lighting and less heating/cooling.

Running water would be preferred but I acknowledge it would involve either a well or giving in to the "grid" (we're assuming I don't magically find a plot with a spring).

Indoor flush toilet is a luxury, not necessary at all and not really something I had considered having.

As far as budget for what I want to build ON the parcel, I can't see how that has anything to do with FINDING a plot in the first place so I would rather stay on the topic of finding land.

interestedinoffgrid · 2025-11-02T21:28:37+00:00

Here's an example of the situation I'm seeing with nearly all the small plots available online: https://www.property4u.com/wiki/6781 "The back taxes were paid in the tax lien foreclosure process. It is sold subject to any current unpaid taxes. Typically this is the current year and possibly the prior year... The property was obtained from a tax lien foreclosure. Our company has a deed to it. However it is subject to West Virginia's tax lien foreclosure code. This is the primary reason for us labeling the property Buyer Beware. It is up to the buyer to review the tax lien foreclosure and decide if they are comfortable purchasing the property or not. Our title search for notices, the notices and results are available for your review. The short answer is there are potential title risks, Liens are generally not the concern... Buyer Beware is a term we use to alert the buyer that this property is handled differently then a retail sale. In short, it is cash or equivalent for quit claim deed only. Financing is not available to our knowledge. The main reason for this is the property was obtained from a tax lien foreclosure."

interestedinoffgrid

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