How does one go about pricing a prepper property? There are many characteristics I’ve described in previous blog posts that make up a good bugout or prepper property. An interesting point is that often times, the things buyers in the western North Carolina mountains prize most are not what preppers are seeking. That is, most buyers from outside the mountains are looking for a “big long range view” that is conveniently close to an interstate or major roadway. By comparison, a prepper doesn’t want to be on top of a mountain (too visible) or close to a major thoroughfare (too close to refugees in crisis).
However, that doesn’t always translate into affordability. Land prices around the Asheville market have risen dramatically, even for those properties located well off the beaten path in adjoining counties. Case in point is a listing of mine wherein the asking price has actually gone up over time, not down. Sure, you can find an acre or two under $20,000, but most often it is a property you don’t want; one that is a cliffside or is nearly impossible to access and has no surface water. The bottom line is that for decent property, you’re going to have to pay.
A lot of folks approach me with a $30,000 budget, desiring 5 to 10 acres. Sadly, it just isn’t out there. I wish it were. So what can one do? There are a couple of things.
The easiest thing is to be willing to be further out from Asheville. Madison County (due north of Asheville) has a lot of real estate that features what preppers seek, at much more affordable prices. The trade off is that these properties are 45 minutes or more to the heart of Asheville and you’ve got to be able to handle winding, twisting mountain roads. Folks who live in this area go to the quaint little towns of Hot Springs and Marshall for their day to day needs, but even then, these properties might be 15 minutes from those towns. Ah, but they’re great little towns with locally owned shops, restaurants and perhaps one traffic light. They are also surrounded by natural beauty such as the French Broad River. Additionally, you’ll find pockets of communities scattered around these areas populated with like-minded folks who live close to the land and have great skill sets that will come in handy when the grid goes down.
So that’s the first thing to consider. The second? I’ll address that in my next post since it warrants a lengthy discussion itself. Stay tuned!
