As I am writing this, it is currently 13° in Maryland with a real feel of 0°. It is snowing outside and even though I was running the baseboard heat in my tack room, the pipes still managed to freeze. My fault? Absolutely. I forgot to turn the heater up (on its lowest setting it is normally sweltering) and open up the cabinets to expose the pipes.
Truthfully, I grew up working on farms and I still almost always forget to put the hose in the tack room on that first cold night of the year. Such is life when you own a farm, run a business, and juggle all the rest. Through years of owning a farm as well as being a real estate agent specializing in farms and equestrian properties, I’ve noticed that there are a number of things any farm owner will tell you they wish they knew before buying a farm.
Poor Design Will Make You Want To Quit
I recently toured a farm with a buyer who decided to pass largely because of the barn’s location. You need a farm designed for ease of use. What will your daily routine look like? Try to minimize steps for daily chores with a good layout and remember: you can never have too many gates or storage spaces.
You Will Want An Arena
Plan for it. At some point, an arena will come in handy. If nothing else, leave some flat grassy space available for riding and lunging.
Drainage Is Critical.
Flooded pastures, barns, and indoors are all too common. Marylanders: keep in mind that your local Soil Conservation District might offer cost-sharing programs for water management which can include drains, gutters, auto waterers, and more.
Don’t Forget The Equipment
Ok, so you’ve budgeted for the purchase of the property, but what about farm equipment? Ask if any of the farm equipment will convey with the property and, if not, see if the seller is willing to negotiate. Most of our farm transactions involve some level of discussion about the equipment. Make a list of all the items you will need for the daily care of your animals and find ways to save on the smaller items. Tack sales and Facebook Marketplace can be gold mines for the basics.
Hiring Can Be A Challenge
Even if you don’t plan on hiring, there will come a time when you would like to take a vacation or spend fewer hours doing barn chores. Hiring barn help is tough. Barn work isn’t for everyone and it can be a burnout job. Competitive salary, living quarters, and lessons are all great incentives, but do not guarantee that your staff will stay put. For those of you who are just keeping your personal horses at home and might need a farm sitter from time to time, ask trusted equestrian friends for local recommendations.
It Can Be Lonely
For many riders, riding is very much about community. Staying motivated can be harder when you’re riding alone. I find that inviting friends over or trailering out to ride together makes a tremendous difference. A good location with easy access to major thoroughfares helps make those meetups realistic.
I don’t want you to look at this list and see six reasons not to buy a farm, but it helps to be prepared before taking the leap. There are plenty of farm owners out there who would be willing to share their “what I wish I knew” list with you. Ask them. You won’t regret it!
Sarah is a licensed Realtor serving Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Southern Pennsylvania, specializing in rural, farm, and equestrian properties. Based in Howard County, MD, she brings extensive local knowledge and a deep understanding of what it takes to market and sell agricultural land, farmettes, and equestrian estates. Whether assisting with the sale of a generational family farm or a large-scale training facility, Sarah offers dedicated, insightful, and personalized service every step of the way.
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