Horses are popular in every one of the fifty States. This means that there are horse properties for sale all over the country. However, the term covers a wide variety of listings. Sometimes it depends on the area of the country. Often it reflects the type of riding preferred by the seller. Always there is the price factor.
The locale is important. For instance, in places like Phoenix, Arizona or Denver, Colorado, property is measured in lots. A house may have just room enough for a small barn and a dry paddock; the horses exist happily with year-round hay and exercise out on the trail or on a race track.
Take, for example, Virginia 'horse country', where a home with a paddock to the side would not be classified as equine property. This term connotes a spacious estate with a grand home, multi-stalled barn, several paddocks and fields, and probably a ring for training. All will be on at least three acres and be fenced with boards or woven wire.
People in Virginia expect a equine estate to have a large home, which is generally of more value than the stabling areas. Those who want a place with extensive horse facilities but a smaller home, which keeps taxes down, may have a hard time finding it. There are many 'equine communities' that have riding trails included in the over-all plan; some even have community boarding facilities for those who don't want to maintain their own stabling.
However, there is less 'conspicuous consumption' in the southern and western parts of the state. Although there is foxhunting and English riding everywhere, many people in more rural areas prefer trail riding, using Quarter-horses or Arabians rather than large, showy mounts. Establishments may not even have a barn, using run-in sheds to shelter the animals.
There are many equine magazines which feature property for sale, and the internet has great real estate listings. It is often possible to see both the exterior and interior of all buildings, as well as panoramic views of the land. This makes it easy to eliminate listings that are not suitable, to view high-priced places either for fun or for cost comparison, and to take virtual tours before engaging the services of a real estate agent.
It's always wise to consider tax rates, regulations, zoning, and liability laws before beginning to house-hunt. This helps narrow the search and prevents falling in love with a place which turns out to be in a high-tax zone, have zoning or HOA restrictions that prevent some activities, or have limits on the number of animals allowed. All of this information is available online or from a licensed real estate agent.
Of course, the actual viewing will bring out the pros and the cons. Maybe the place is great but the road in and out is too mountainous, or maybe the barn is designed for ponies or Arabians and won't be comfortable for huge warmbloods or draft crosses. The fields may be too rocky, the water too hard, or the neighbors too close. Then again, everything might be perfect.
The locale is important. For instance, in places like Phoenix, Arizona or Denver, Colorado, property is measured in lots. A house may have just room enough for a small barn and a dry paddock; the horses exist happily with year-round hay and exercise out on the trail or on a race track.
Take, for example, Virginia 'horse country', where a home with a paddock to the side would not be classified as equine property. This term connotes a spacious estate with a grand home, multi-stalled barn, several paddocks and fields, and probably a ring for training. All will be on at least three acres and be fenced with boards or woven wire.
People in Virginia expect a equine estate to have a large home, which is generally of more value than the stabling areas. Those who want a place with extensive horse facilities but a smaller home, which keeps taxes down, may have a hard time finding it. There are many 'equine communities' that have riding trails included in the over-all plan; some even have community boarding facilities for those who don't want to maintain their own stabling.
However, there is less 'conspicuous consumption' in the southern and western parts of the state. Although there is foxhunting and English riding everywhere, many people in more rural areas prefer trail riding, using Quarter-horses or Arabians rather than large, showy mounts. Establishments may not even have a barn, using run-in sheds to shelter the animals.
There are many equine magazines which feature property for sale, and the internet has great real estate listings. It is often possible to see both the exterior and interior of all buildings, as well as panoramic views of the land. This makes it easy to eliminate listings that are not suitable, to view high-priced places either for fun or for cost comparison, and to take virtual tours before engaging the services of a real estate agent.
It's always wise to consider tax rates, regulations, zoning, and liability laws before beginning to house-hunt. This helps narrow the search and prevents falling in love with a place which turns out to be in a high-tax zone, have zoning or HOA restrictions that prevent some activities, or have limits on the number of animals allowed. All of this information is available online or from a licensed real estate agent.
Of course, the actual viewing will bring out the pros and the cons. Maybe the place is great but the road in and out is too mountainous, or maybe the barn is designed for ponies or Arabians and won't be comfortable for huge warmbloods or draft crosses. The fields may be too rocky, the water too hard, or the neighbors too close. Then again, everything might be perfect.
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