Tag Archives: real estate

Episode-1102- Thoughts and Consideration with a Move to a New State

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Modern Survival| 11 Comments
Episode-1102- Thoughts and Consideration with a Move to a New State [ 1:06:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Walking To Freedom has gotten off to a great start with citizens helping citizens already in a quest to find a home with more of the freedoms that are important to them.  This has prompted a lot of questions in my direction about one state vs. the next.

Frankly I think the entire point of the WTF forum is so people that actually live in or have lived in said states can give you the reality on the ground but I will do my best today to provide a mile high overview of what I would personally consider.

I also want to remind everyone even if you are 100% happy where you are and not going anywhere we need you at the WTF project.  We need on the ground state ambassadors to make a case for your state and to help others in their evaluation.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • You can’t go on statistics alone
  • The considerations of family and friends
  • Considerations of climate
  • What do you really want in life
  • What freedoms are important to you
  • What type of home do you want
  • Individual taxes vs a “tax foot print” based on your lifestyle
  • Cost of living vs. taxes alone
  • Quality of schools, better schools?  Better at what?
  • Is the grass really greener or just better manicured
  • Please visit MULTIPLE TIMES first
  • Yes you can go back if it doesn’t work
  • Have an exit strategy
  • Home isn’t where the heart is, home is where the heart is free
  • Only you can know what is right for you
  • A community is what will make many things easier to handle

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

 

→ 11 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , ,

Episode-966- Developing Raw Land into a Homestead or BOL Over the Long Haul

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Modern Survival| 41 Comments
Episode-966- Developing Raw Land into a Homestead or BOL Over the Long Haul [ 1:14:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
A Pre Fab Mini Cabin at a BOL

A Pre Fab Mini Cabin at a BOL

One of the more complex questions I was asked at Ben Falk’s PDC course was about a “long term bug out”, which I needed clarification on because it can mean so many things.  What the student meant turned out to be something very relevant for the TSP community so it has become the focus of today’s show.

This person found themselves in a situation many of us face.  They have a job, not a super job but one that pays the bills.  Said job requires life in a city/town of some size and they want to be prepared to get out someday (by design or possibly by need).  They can or have already scraped up enough money to buy some raw land, say a few acres or more.  However this land has no house on it, no infrastructure, no utilities, etc.

The question was given I have such a piece of land and can only put a few thousand a year into it, what should I be doing first and where should I be heading long term.  I partially answered this question at the evening fire though a proxy who explained all this, the student was apparently beat and went off to catch some sleep in his tent.   As I answered it I realized how much my answer had changed over the past 4 years and how some of it has stayed the same.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Selecting a piece of land
    • Distance from your permanent residence
    • The consideration of climate
    • Utility access
    • Size of the property
    • Surrounding community
    • Ability to appear undisturbed
    • The value of water
  • The most critical infrastructure you can set up
    • Ponds and swale structures
    • Storage facilities
    • Shelter
    • Permanent plantings
  • Taking it to a higher level
    • Earth sheltered homes in the south
    • Timber frame homes in the cool climates
    • Water catchment for every roof like structure
    • Island gardens for land locked homesteaders
    • Design the end and work backwards
    • Don’t kid yourself about what can or will be done

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 41 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Episode-924- Lessons Learned on the Arkansas Homestead

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Modern Survival| 35 Comments
Episode-924- Lessons Learned on the Arkansas Homestead [ 1:12:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Hugelkultur Was a Success at the Homestead

Hugelkultur Was a Success at the Homestead

As many of you know we are now looking to purchase a larger piece of land in Texas.  That will balance well with the apartment we keep in Arlington providing us living quarters both in the city and the country.  The new land in Texas will become our primary residence.

We are not sure about what to do with the Arkansas property right now.  On one hand it is very inexpensive on the other it would generate a lot of cash if we sold it at this point.  Many listeners who have watched me grow TSP from the early days have expressed a desire to hear exactly why we are not going to make Arkansas our permanent home when we put so much work into getting to a point were we could.   The reality is our property has a LOT going for it, it also has a lot missing from what we currently want.

My hope is today’s show will help others learn from both our successes and failures so they can make better choices about purchasing property, homesteading, raising livestock, etc.

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • Leaving family far behind may be harder then you thought
  • The importance of feeling “vested” in the larger community
  • As your view of the world changes so does your view of “perfect property”
  • 5 acres may be enough, it might not be, how does the land lay
  • Mountain land may not be all it is cracked up to be, or it might be
  • Why I feel so strongly now about putting a lot of a property into water structure
  • Why I am now more interested in daily self sufficiency and less in “buggin out”
  • Thoughts on having an ability to “house” additional people
  • Land that provides the opportunity to really teach others
  • Livestock I want to work with and why it won’t work in Ark
  • Deals are now available that just were not before
  • Some general principles we have learned
    • Always have an exit strategy
    • Invest in property to make it at least 1% better then its class
    • Mobile homes are fine for what they are
    • Having no real restrictions rocks
    • See a property for what it can be but count the cost
    • You really can’t go to low on an offer, you really can’t
    • The community is as important as the property
    • Useable land is more important then total land area

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 35 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , ,

Episode-824- Dan Vamos from Homestead Dividends

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Modern Survival| 26 Comments
Episode-824- Dan Vamos from Homestead Dividends [ 1:08:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dan Vamos is many things.  A father, an English teacher, a homesteader, a DIY enthusiast, a prepper and a patriotic American.  He has also been listening to The Survival Podcast for a very long time, all the way back to the podcasting from the car days.

Along the way he founded a website called, “Homestead Dividends”, designed to help the average person transform their home into a true homestead and get more out of their homes both while living in them and when it comes time to sell them.

Join Dan and I Today as we Discuss…

  • What are some ways to get the most out your house or residence
  • What should you do to make your house start working for you
  • What are some ways to waterproof a basement
  • What are some common mistakes people make when working on their house
  • Why should I start planting permafood right away
  • Why start with small trees and plants
  • How a three-ring binder can help in selling your house
  • How you can have a “pick-up truck? without owning one
  • Why Dan cashed in a retirement accounts to buy a home

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 26 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , , ,

Episode-770- Modern Financial Survival

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Modern Survival| 43 Comments
Episode-770- Modern Financial Survival [ 1:15:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Yesterday I stated that we are about to in effect go into the middle of a financial war.  I am not sure the analogy was fully understood it wasn’t so much about fighting the battle but more about the way that even if good is the end result how many can be harmed in the process.

This resulted in a litany of people trying to nit pick about the justification for WWII, why the US prospered after the war, etc.   Such people are literalists that don’t comprehend analogies and tell “ants are socialists”, when you tell them the ant and grasshopper story.

Today I will revisit a few things people took exception to (very briefly) and will spend most of the show outlining my “modern financial survival guide” for the coming future.

Join Me Today as We Discuss…

  • Is the Catholic Church calling for a “World Bank” and global tax or not
  • What exactly do I mean by a financial war
  • Why do I believe so emphatically that I am right about the coming collapse
  • What I think you need to do to be financially prepared for the future
    • Get rid of debt (especially floating rate debt)
    • Try to save at least 20% of your income (6 months security)
    • Know your exit points for every investment
    • If you are in stocks by only the best companies
    • Do not hold any and I mean any long term bonds
    • Keep an eye on TIPS Bond Yields
    • Remember most “experts” on TV are actually idiots
    • Develop your local community
    • Don’t bet on any government money (specifically @ 100%)
    • Consider land as the best investment (not houses)
    • Increase your financial IQ daily – start with vocabulary
    • Focus on gaining some % of self sufficiency with the 5 needs
    • Try to be as “cash rich” as possible
    • Don’t act in fear, think before you do anything
    • Do not listen to conventional wisdom during unconventional times
    • Remember the prepared can always profit and prosper

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air

 

→ 43 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , , ,

Episode-657- Creating the Low Cost BOL

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Modern Survival| 35 Comments
Episode-657- Creating the Low Cost BOL [ 1:15:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Dirt Cheap Survival RetreatToday we are going to take a look at setting up a BOL on the cheap or at least inexpensively.  There are a ton of ways to accomplish this and land is still one of the best investments a person can make.

I also do a brief review today of a great resource for setting up that low cost retreat, it is called, The Dirt Cheap Survival Retreat by M.D. Creekmore, author of The Survivalist Blog.

If you have never read M.D. Blog take a look at it today because he has some great information and insights on modern survival living.

Join me today as I discuss…

  • New Prospective Guest Survey Form
  • Awesome money saving show on the way
  • My thoughts on M.D. Creekmore’s new book
  • Thoughts on land, what you need, what you don’t
  • Solar vs. wind vs. grid
  • Propane is your friend
  • Small generators
  • Creative battery charging
  • Travel trailer vs. shed/shack vs. shipping container
  • Distance desirable vs. distance tolerable
  • Security when off site
  • Internet access
  • Identify the area, then hunt

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 35 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , ,

Episode-588- Listener Feedback 1-17-11

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Modern Survival| 3 Comments
Episode-588- Listener Feedback 1-17-11 [ 1:17:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Time to get into another round of listener feedback on a Monday morning.  Today we discuss a new food crisis, the GMO chicken, getting started as a college student, your first garden and more. Remember to submit content for this type of show send an email with “question for jack” in the subject line to jack at thesurvivalpocast.com

Join me today as we discuss…

  • Growing that first spring garden
  • Getting started as a prepper when you are still in college
  • Is the “fair tax” really fair is it really a solution
  • Can you bring down the Fed by not using money
  • How can you quickly convert silver to cash in an emergency
  • Thoughts on outstanding loans to a 401K or IRA account
  • Now the GMO chicken, immune to bird flu, are you gonna eat it?
  • Does it pay to carry a mortgage vs. own a home debt free
  • The mint says they are selling more silver then ever, what does it mean
  • Here we go with global food shortages again

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , ,

Episode-529- Finding that Rural Piece of Land

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Modern Survival| 26 Comments
Episode-529- Finding that Rural Piece of Land [ 1:33:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I have gotten quite a few emails lately about exactly how to find an affordable piece of land out in the country for everything from a homestead, retirement place, BOL or just as an investment.  I figured we could talk about that a bit today from a modern survivalist view point.

SPECIAL NOTE – Today’s show is LONG over 90 minutes long in fact.  I have had a lot of requests to comment on various areas of the US by region, I do that from about 19 minutes to about 48 minutes on today’s show.  If this isn’t your cup of tea, and it might not be for some, simply skip ahead.  It is part of what made the show so long and it will still leave you with a full show if you skip ahead of it.  I have had so many requests though for this critique, I decided to do it.  Please don’t be offended if I get something wrong about an area you love in today’s show, just tell me your view (respectfully please) in the comments below.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • The rise of two ways of living, urban and rural and the decline of suburbia
  • Why should you choose a rural form of living anyway
  • The lie of retirement and deferred gratification
  • Getting out vs. bugging out in TEOTWAWKI
  • Where to look, a few areas and my thoughts on them
    • PA to New England
    • FL, GA, AL, LA
    • TN, KY, WV and Western VA
    • WI, MN, MI
    • MO, AR
    • TX
    • NM, AZ, NV
    • ID, MT, WY, UT
    • WA, OR
  • Questions to ask yourself
    • What do I most love to do?
    • What type of people do I like to be with?
    • What health needs do I have now, will I have later on?
    • What can I actually afford, how can I afford more?
    • Who will I leave behind, how far behind is to far?
    • Why do I want to do this?
    • Will this really make me happy?
  • Steps to making it happen
    • Never stop window shopping
    • Save like a psychopathic miser
    • Create a secondary income stream (even a tiny one)
    • Take a vacation to an area you think you want to live in
    • Define your vision (couples find a common one)
    • Be willing to compromise, 85% is a B and a B is damn good!
    • Ask yourself “how can I make it happen” at least three times a day
  • Places to look
    • United Country
    • Realtor.com
    • Tax Offices in chosen areas
    • Papers in chosen areas (tiny papers are online now)
    • Find a good real estate agent (once you are ready to act)
  • Consider a transitional move (especially for telecommuters/entrepreneurs)
    • Keep your home
    • Rent dirt cheap and live there a while
    • Explore the community (date before you marry)
    • House hunt while you truly have real time to look things over
  • What to remember first and foremost
    • If other people are living there, you can too
    • If the people living there are not rich you don’t need to be either
    • Nothing will ever be perfect
    • Focus on “living” vs. “stuff”

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 26 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , ,

Episode-519- Making the Move to the Country

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Modern Survival| 13 Comments
Episode-519- Making the Move to the Country [ 1:02:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Yesterday’s show ended with an awesome story by a man who’s father moved his family to the city while staying on the farm 100 years ago.  He told us how that move required sacrifice but embraced a coming change and how his fathers efforts improved the quality of life for the entire family.  He postulated that perhaps now it is time for a similar move but this time back to rural America.  I have not stopped think about this since I read his letter so today we examine the move back to the country, what it offers and the sacrifices it might require.

Join me today ask I discuss…

  • Leaving small town USA for adventure and the real benefits it offered me
  • What living back in a small town while working a high paying  job taught me
  • The current trends with cities and why you might really want to get out now
  • The reality of real estate pricing and its current trend
  • Community life vs. isolationism in the country
  • How much land is enough
  • What are the sacrifices
  • How can you pull it off before you are “old”
  • Why it may be better for your kids to grow up in the country
  • The country life will be best for the highly self sufficient
  • Establish beach heads of freedom and land protection
  • It can be done, the question is only how bad do you want it

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 13 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , ,

Episode-444- Setting Up A Low Cost Bug Out Location (BOL)

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Modern Survival| 12 Comments
Episode-444- Setting Up A Low Cost Bug Out Location (BOL) [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We talk a lot about Bug Out Locations on the show and in the forum, most listeners are more than aware by now of what they are, why you would want one and what makes a good one.   Many may also be under the belief that a BOL is beyond their financial reach.  Now for many a fully stocked second home full of survival goodies may very well be unaffordable in their current lifestyle, yet just about anyone can create a niece little hide away and at worse case have a bit of real estate diversifying their investments.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • How cheap real raw land can be even in fertile areas
  • How owning a spot of land can save you a lot of money
  • When all else fails there is always the tent
  • The teardrop trailer
  • Converting cargo trailers
  • The RV and the story of “Snob Hill”
  • The underground cache – how not to have it all destroyed
  • The empty shack bring your generator, propane and window unit AC
  • Life underground, you can do it but you may not like it
  • Encouraging native wild life, plant and animal
  • The beauty of the “Danger Shooting Range” sign
  • Fencing even just wire makes a difference
  • The hidden entrance, easy and effective
  • The importance of a TO&E and how to develop one

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 12 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , ,