Over the past few years, we’ve seen a rising wave of relocators who are fleeing the city in favour of the country. While the cost of real estate in urban areas has certainly played a role in this trend, there are a number of people who are following their dream of owning a hobby farm.

If you’re interested in buying a hobby farm, it’s important to recognize that there’s much more to it than just a home with a few acres of land. It’s a big responsibility and a lot more work than you may realize.

As real estate agents who specialize in rural and agricultural properties, we’ve helped our fair share of home buyers discover and buy their ideal property – including hobby farms! In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of owning a hobby farm in Ontario to help you get an idea of what you’re in for.

What is a Hobby Farm?

First things first, let’s clarify what a hobby farm actually is. Sticking true to the name, a hobby farm is any piece of land where you’ll be farming on a small scale without the intention of it being a primary source of income. In other words, you might occasionally sell some meat, dairy, or produce at your local farmer’s market, but you won’t be quitting your day job. Other than that, the world is your oyster. There are no formal requirements as to how big or small your property needs to be or rules on what you need to produce.

Thinking about moving to a hobby farm? Explore these related blogs for more important tips!

• 5 Things to Know Before You Buy a Home in the Country
• Where Can You Buy Rural Homes East of Toronto?
• Moving Out of Toronto? Here Are 5 Tips For Transitioning to Life in a Smaller Town

Knowledge & Experience

Arguably the most important detail to consider before buying a hobby farm is whether or not you have experience working on a farm. While not exactly necessary, having real-world experience with farming can make things less stressful.

Even if you start small, managing crops and livestock will add a lot to your plate. On certain days, it can feel like a full-time job in its own right, so it’s important that you’re clear on what your day-to-day responsibilities will look and feel like. While this doesn’t mean you can’t learn new things as you go, you should have at least some basic knowledge of farming before you jump in.

Research the Costs

Another factor to keep in mind before you buy a hobby farm is cost. Buying the actual property for your farm is a big expense – and it’s only the start. The cost of equipment, supplies, livestock, and more can add up in a hurry. If you don’t budget correctly, you could find yourself in hot water financially.

Because your farm will be unique, your exact budget will be based on your specific vision. Make a list of all the items you’ll need in your first year of farming and do some research on what the average costs are for each.

Dreaming of selling your home and buying a hobby farm? Have a look at these blogs for some catch-all real estate advice.

• Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Home in Durham & Kawartha Lakes?
• What Do I Need to Ask a Realtor Before I Hire Them?
• How to Price a Home to Sell

Where Can You Buy a Hobby Farm in Ontario?

Close to Toronto, Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County are three markets in particular where rural homes (and existing hobby farms) are fairly abundant. So if you’re looking to buy a hobby farm in Ontario, they’re good places to start.

That said, from a real estate perspective, hobby farms (and rural properties in general) are quite unique. So, when the time comes to head to the market, you’ll want to have an expert at your side. That’s where we can help.

Working With Puckrin & Latreille

With more than 175 years of combined experience in our neck of the woods, we know everything there is to know about rural properties in Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland and Peterborough counties. Whatever you’re looking for in the country, be it a hobby farm, waterfront cottage, or family home, we can help you find it.

Searching for the perfect place to call home? We can help. Call 905-985-7300 to reach our team or click here to send us an email.

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