I've lived at my current location in Brandy Station for a year-and-a-half now, and I'm getting the itch to move. I want a place that's more secluded, with more wildlife, and a stream or river.
Yesterday, I ran a Craigslist ad:
WANTED: Land to Lease for Off-grid Living (Culpeper County)
Do you own land in Culpeper County, or know someone who does? Do you believe in the benefits of living a simple lifestyle, close to nature? If so, then please read on.
Hi, my name is Dave. I live in a canvas wall tent. I live close to nature and off the grid. I'm 55 years old and have a full-time job that pays well so I don't *need* to live this way. I *want* to live this way.
My current lifestyle started about two years ago as a sort of experiment and is still going strong! You can read all about it at: <link to this blog>
Up until now, I've been staying on about 30 acres. But lately I've been wanting to go deeper into nature. And that's where I need your help.
I'm looking for secluded land in Culpeper County with a stream or river. I'd like a place where I could stay for a year or two. I'm completely self-sufficient and enjoy spending my evenings in solitude.
If you're a landowner, I'll pay you $100/month for the privilege of staying on your land. If you know a landowner that might be interested, I'll pay you $100 for the referral, if things work out.
If you are interested in what I'm doing and have ideas to help me in my quest, then please call me.
Within 24 hours I got over 20 hits on my blog from this ad, so the word is getting out. But how many people need to see the ad before I get results? Hmm
Well, I posted the ad under "real estate wanted", so I'm thinking that a lot of people searching that category already own real estate. And of all the property owners in this area of Virginia, maybe 5% own the type of property I'm looking for. Of those, maybe only 10% are open minded enough to consider letting me stay there. And of those, maybe half will be in a position to offer me occupancy.
And on my side, I'd like to be a little picky. I don't want to settle for the first property that comes along. I'd rather have a few to select from. And I want to be sure that I'll get along with the owners, too. So what would it take to find, let's say, five potential properties? I'm thinking it may take a couple thousand people to see my ad!
But then again, if I already got 20 hits to my blog in 24 hours, does that mean that those 20 people are interested in what I'm doing (the "open minded" segment?) And since I'm offering a $100 referral, might they help me find land, even if they themselves don't own a suitable place? Maybe. At least a few of them might, maybe one or two a day.
So I'm going to let this advertising experiment run for awhile and see what happens.
