10 FALL ACTIVITIES TO DO IN THE COUNTRY

 

Looking for fun fall activities to do in your rural area or small town? Check out these 10 creative ideas the whole family will enjoy, from picking your own heirloom pumpkins to hunting small game and more. 

Even though seasonal temperatures may fluctuate between sweater weather and flip-flops, country folks still love to get out there and enjoy all Autumn has to offer.

Those of us living in rural areas have the advantage of being close to sought-after country fall activities like orchards, pumpkin patches and scenic colorful hikes and drives.

If you’re itching to take advantage of everything fall has to offer, you’ll love these 10 fall activities to do in the country—most of which are an acorn's throw from your front porch.

1. Go Apple Picking

Despite movies and postcards depicting apple picking as a Northern thing, the Southern states boast their own unique varieties of tasty apples, such as Arkansas Blacks and Winesaps.

Apple season starts early in the South, with many orchards opening up in August for select varieties.

The season typically continues through the end of October, though, depending on your favorite apples, it usually pays to get there early.

Check the websites of local orchards to determine when your favorites are ripe and ready for picking.

2. Try Cold Weather Camping

If you’re not big on camping in the sweltering heat of the summer, then now is the time to get out there.

Most campsites are open until the end of October, with some extending their season into November.

Although Fall typically stays mild throughout most of the South, it can get frosty, especially at higher elevations.

3. Do Leaf Arts And Crafts With The Kids

Fall leaves provide endless materials and inspiration for making autumn arts and crafts.

There are endless online tutorials for various leaf arts and crafts for all abilities. 

Some easy fall craft ideas to try include:

1. Collect leaves to laminate OR press between two pieces of wax paper using an iron. Display on a window.
2. Place different leaves underneath pieces of paper, then color over them with a crayon. This creates a perfect imprint of the leaf in whatever color they want.
3. Make “leaf people” by gluing different shapes of leaves together on construction paper. From there, they can add googly eyes, pipe cleaners for arms, etc.
4. Press leaves in a large book to preserve for the months ahead.
5. Make a leaf-inspired centerpiece.

You’d be surprised how a few leaves can entertain and delight children of all ages.

4. Enjoy A Hayride

Fall is the perfect time to take in the sights and smells of the country on a hayride.

If you have enough space, some square bales and the right equipment (think a tractor with a trailer or even a 4-wheeler with a spacious trailer and small hay bales), you can create your own hayride around your property. 

This makes a fun Halloween or holiday activity for the kids, too.

Orchards, pumpkin patches and local farms also offer hayrides around this time of year. 

5. Go Pumpkin Picking

Sure, you could pick up a pumpkin from the supermarket, but you live in the country—why not go to the source?

Many farms specialize in pumpkin patches with standard orange pumpkins or even heirloom varieties.

The benefit of buying directly from a farm (apart from the fun of it) is you get a fresher pumpkin that is less likely to rot before Halloween.

6. Get Started Hunting With Small Game

If you’re interested in learning to hunt but are unsure how to start, Fall is an excellent time to start hunting small game.

Squirrels, for example, are abundant in Fall as they scurry around gathering nuts for the winter, and their hunting season usually lasts from October through February.

Rabbits are abundant year-round, and many states have no limits on their hunting season (check your local hunting laws).

“With small game, there tends to be more action. It’s less intense. Less equipment is needed. It’s far more relaxed. And it’s easier to take the game out of the woods. You don’t need to drag it and do all this preparation.”

7. Host A Fall Potluck On Your Land

Take advantage of the milder weather and host an outdoor potluck on your property.

The theme could be as simple as a hot dog roast with sides and s’mores or a fancier local fall harvest fare.

If you have the space and desire, you could even set up an outdoor movie with quilts and pillows for bundling up and popcorn popped over an open fire.

The point is to get your friends, family, and neighbors together for an evening of fresh country air, good food and community.

8. Check Out A Small-Town Fall Festival And Support Your Local Community

Most towns host various fall-themed festivals that are fun for the whole family.

These festivals may include live music, dancing, food, vendors, contests, arts and crafts, or even fair-style rides and entertainment.

For example, some towns have festivals celebrating pumpkins, apples, Halloween, local honey, local artists and craftspeople and other fall events.

Check your local papers and online for upcoming events and support your small town.

9. Take In The Fall Foliage Via Car, Foot, Motorcycle, 4-Wheeler Or Bike

Most of our area is rich in deciduous forests.

Whether you take a road trip, a day trip or a local hike, bike ride or 4-wheeling excursion, make time to take in the color of the Fall season.

10. Prioritize Firepit Nights

Cooler, darker evenings lend themselves to hunkering down in front of the fire. 

If it’s a bit too early to fire up your fireplace or woodstove (fluctuating temperatures and all), consider spending more evenings outdoors in front of your firepit.

Here’s how to make fire pit nights more enticing for the whole family:

• Have comfortable lawn chairs available
• Bundle up in blankets
• Serve hot chocolate, hot cider, or hot toddies
• If entertainment is needed, try a star gazing app for educational fun
• Sing, play musical instruments, or make use of a portal speaker and music app
• Let the kids participate in the fire starting! Provided they are old enough, you can use this opportunity to teach your children fire safety while they learn how to build a fire. 

We hope you enjoyed this blog post.  Please feel free to contact the Rural KC Team-Keller Williams Realty Partners with any of your rural real estate needs.  

15 WAYS AN APPRAISER DETERMINES LAND VALUE

 

Below are some of the most important factors a property appraiser considers when determining the value of a property. They can be applied to any land, whether a sprawling private island or a humble 1-acre lot. For land buyers, these factors can help you know whether a property is fairly priced, and to recognize the pros and cons of the land you are considering.

1. Access

Land real estate experts will tell you access is a key factor in evaluating the marketability of a property, because - no matter how great the property is - its use is limited when it’s difficult to reach. When an appraiser appraises a property, they ask themself a series of questions about access:

• Can the property be accessed by a nearby road, or is it landlocked?
• If there is access, is it legal access?
• Is it public or private?
• Is it graded or paved?
• One-sided or multi-sided?
• Is the road maintained by the local municipality, or will the owner have to maintain it?

All of those factors can influence the property’s value. In fact, some lenders will not approve a loan for home construction on property with private road frontage that doesn’t have a maintenance agreement.

2. Topography

An appraiser looks to a property’s topography in determining its use potential. For example: A historic wetland that has been altered may be ideal for environmental wetland mitigation. Swampy land may not work for building, but could be ideal as hunting land. Sandy soils may limit the silviculture potential of a property. Certain properties would be ideal for development - and certain properties wouldn’t. An old sinkhole or a unique ravine system could add value because of their beauty. An appraiser thinks about all the possible uses as he visits the property and studies topography maps of the land.

3. Amenity features

Does the property have special amenities that would make it more valuable from an aesthetic appeal perspective? Perhaps there is a waterfront or a beautiful view.

Generally these features will be a positive factor. The only time they’re not is when their existence impairs in some way the use of the overall property.

For example, if a large river cut off access to the majority of a property, it could limit the land’s use potential.

4. Configuration

The way a property is laid out can have a big impact on value.

An irregular or narrow layout could limit the use potential or overall management of the land. For example, a long, narrow tract’s layout may not allow room for large equipment to come in and clear trees or install a septic tank.

How does the layout affect hunting, timber management, development potential? Does it create problems, such as making it more vulnerable to trespassers?

An appraiser takes all of these factors into account when looking at a property’s layout.

5. Wildlife

Just as a hunter looks for evidence a deer or other game has been on the land, an appraiser looks for clues that will help them understand what kind of wildlife is on a property.

There may be deer tracks, rubs or sheds, but that is just the beginning. An appraiser will also look for variations in vegetation and topography that lends itself to supporting a diverse array of wildlife.

Does that already exist, or would you need to develop it and manage it into place?

6. Location

As the old adage goes, location is one of the most important factors in real estate.

If you put the same property in two different places, they may have entirely different uses,

For example, a 500-acre property near a city might have development potential, while that same property would be more suited for timberland in a rural area close to a mill.

If the property has the potential to be used for homes, is it close to schools, conveniences, jobs? What are the taxes like in the community?

Those are factors an appraiser will consider about a property’s location.

7. Size

Just like buying products in bulk can make them more affordable, acreage sold in larger amounts is typically lower in price-per-acre than smaller tracts.

An appraiser will consider the number of acres overall while appraising the land. But they will also consider the demand for a tract of that size. Are there people in the community who would want 1000 acres?

The demand for different sizes can vary from region to region.

8. Improvements

Enhancements added to properties can make them more valuable, depending on the market. For example, in some markets, hunting land with an elaborate lodge would greatly increase in value over land without a lodge. In other communities, the investment into the lodge may not bring the landowner a good return on their money.

When the improvement enhances the true use potential - and the buyer’s understanding of the use potential - of a property, that increases its value,

9. Historical Management Practices

The history of how a property has been managed can impact its value.

For example, if a hunting property has been managed for wildlife for many years, it would be more valuable than a hunting property that has not because it will likely have a more robust population of game to hunt.

Timberland that has been under the stewardship of foresters for decades would be more valuable than pines left to grow without any management or maintenance.

The same types of considerations could be taken into account with agricultural land, recreational land and other properties. An appraiser looks both at what the management practices were, and how long they were in effect, to understand how they influence a property’s value.

10. Soil Characteristics

An appraiser reviews published soil surveys to determine whether a property’s soil matches particular uses. They will  consider whether it lends itself to growing certain crops, if it’s suitable for development, or if it would require extensive excavation before it could be used.

If the soil is optimal for whatever land use is in demand in the local market, that can increase the property’s value.

11. Land Use and Zoning Requirements

Land use restrictions and zoning requirements are critical factors that dictate what the land can and cannot be used for.

Key questions an appraiser considers are:

• Does the property’s zoning limit its use potential?
• Do restrictions on the land limit how it could be subdivided or developed?
• Is commercial use allowed? Residential? Agricultural?

Zoning varies from county to county.

In some counties, agricultural zoning means you can only build one [home] per 20 acres. In other counties, it’s one per 100 acres,

Sometimes, if the market is ripe for a certain use, such as development, an appraiser may also consider how cumbersome it would be to get the land use and zoning restrictions changed.

Zoning does not in and of itself create value. For example, if a Florida property was zoned to allow ski slopes, that would not have any value because the Southern state has no potential for ski slopes.

12. Easements and Encumberances

A property’s value can be affected by easements and encumbrances that may make some of its land unusable. Land on the property could have an easement for a power line, a walking trail, water or sewer utilities, drainage, flowage or conservation.

13. Surrounding Land Uses and Area Market Trends

Neighboring properties could enhance a particular use for the land - or impede it. For example, there would be issues putting a gun range next door to a school.

What is being done with nearby land may also be an indicator of where the market is headed. Are properties transitioning from farms and timberland to residential properties or developments? That can help determine the land’s potential uses.

14. Timber Characteristics

Are there trees on the land? Can the trees be sold as timber, do they have little timber value and need to be removed, or do they have an aesthetic appeal?

If there are pine trees on the property, did they grow there naturally, or is it a planted pine plantation?

If the trees can be harvested and sold as timber, an appraiser has to consider the current value of the trees, as well as the future value. For example, 10-year-old timber would have a lower value if harvested immediately than if it were given another 10 years to grow.

An appraiser also considers the timber market, itself, when determining the marketability of a property’s timber.

15. Floodplain Issues

Using flood maps and observing the property while on site, an appraiser evaluates whether the land is prone to flooding. If the appraiser sees green algae growing at the base of many of the trees, or if there is little vegetation on the forest floor, he knows the area is probably flood prone.

And that’s just the beginning. If the land is prone to flooding, an appraiser will want to know:

• Where it happens on the property
• How often it happens
• If it has velocity and wave action
• What impact it has on the use potential of the property

Please feel free to contact the Rural KC Team-Keller Williams Partners for any questions you might have or if you are interested in buying and selling rural property.

SINGLE WOMEN ARE EMBRACING HOME OWNERSHIP

 

In today’s housing market, more and more single women are becoming homeowners. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 19% of all homebuyers are single women, while only 10% are single men.

If you’re a single woman trying to buy your first home, this should be encouraging. It means other people are making their dreams a reality – so you can too.

Why Homeownership Matters to So Many Women

For many single women, buying a home isn’t just about having a place to live—it’s also a smart way to invest for the future. Homes usually increase in value over time, so they’re a great way to build equity and overall net worth. Ksenia Potapov, Economist at First American, says:

“. . . single women are increasingly pursuing homeownership and reaping its wealth creation benefits.”

The financial security and independence homeownership provides can be life-changing. And when you factor in the personal motivations behind buying a home, that impact becomes even clearer.

The same report from NAR shares the top reasons single women are buying a home right now, and the reality is, they’re not all financial (see chart below):

If any of these reasons resonate with you, maybe it’s time for you to buy too.

Work with a Trusted Real Estate Agent

If you’re a single woman looking to buy a home, it is possible, even in today’s housing market. You’ll just want to be sure you have a great real estate agent by your side.

Talk about what your goals are and why homeownership is so important to you. That way your agent can keep what’s critical for you up front as they guide you through the buying process. They’ll help you find the right home for your needs and advocate for you during negotiations. Together, you can make your dream of homeownership a reality.

Bottom Line

Homeownership is life-changing no matter who you are. Connect with the Rural KC Team-Keller Williams to talk about your goals in the housing market.  

10 WAYS RURAL LIVING BENEFITS HEART HEALTH

 

There are many reasons to consider going rural. 

From more space to spread out and lower cost of living to more peace and privacy and less worry about crime.

However, many people are choosing to relocate to the country for the sake of their health.

We’ve covered how a rural lifestyle can boost immunity, reduce stress, improve cognitive function, benefit children's health, improve your vision, help extend your life, improve happiness, give a sence of purpose and more.

In this blog, we’re exploring how rural living, with its peace, quiet and close proximity to nature, can help reduce the risk of heart disease while promoting overall cardiovascular and metabolic health.

With heart disease still the #1 killer of Americans, it seems many aspects of a rural lifestyle may provide an impressive layer of protection when combined with a healthy lifestyle. 

1. Less Noise Pollution = A Healthier Heart

Experiencing more peace and quiet is one of the top reasons people desire a life in the country.

This is evident when urbanite areas visit the country and can hardly believe the silence and when country dwellers visit the city and can hardly believe the noise!

As it turns out, our deep desire for peace and quiet may be a form of self-preservation. Especially when it comes to protecting our hearts.

Studies have linked urban noise, such as traffic and airplanes to stress-related illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, disturbed sleep patters and hearing loss.

This is why noise pollution is considered a serious public health issue.

There is generally much less risk of noise pollution when living on country acreage, as the setting and extra property help protect and ensure your peace.

Sure, you may hear flocks of birds migrating by, coyotes at night, roosters in the morning or the hum of your neighbor’s chainsaw, but it sure beats the constant grind of big-city noise.

2. More Opportunities to be Active

We all know regular exercise is essential to heart health.

Although evidence suggests city dwellers tend to be more fit, the truth is rural folks have more opportunities to be active by engaging in functional movement.

This is great news for people who don’t particularly enjoy exercising or hitting the gym but appreciate the benefits of moving their bodies in a purposeful way.

For example, hobby farming and homesteading provide ample opportunities to be active without ever setting foot in a gym.

Other ways to stay active in the country include:

• Chopping Wood
• Gardening
• Walking around your property vs. ATVing
• Hiking in nearby nature spaces or on your own land
• Building trails on your land 
• Mountain biking
• Yoga outdoors
• Strength training using a suspension trainer hung from a tree or everyday items like milk buckets, stumps or tools
• Horseback riding 
• Chasing your children around the yard and/or installing a Ninja or obstacle course

3. Earthing or Grounding Can Promote Various Aspects of Heart Health

Country living and living on acreage close to nature provides more opportunities for residents to go barefoot outdoors, garden and swim in natural bodies of water.

What does this have to do with heart health?

Our brains, nervous systems and heartbeat all function through electrical impulses.

When these impulses are interrupted or unbalanced, the body’s communication system suffers, and disease or imbalances can take hold.

The earth is also electrical in nature and provides us with an unlimited supply of health-giving, negatively-charged electrons, the kind you feel after a nice rainstorm.

These negative-charged electrons, known as “vitamin G (grounding), have a calming effect on the whole body and help mitigate the onslaught of positive electrons we absorb from electronic devices, wearing shoes and general lack of contact with the earth.

They’re also natural antioxidants, which help protect our cells.

making direct contact with the earth for 20-30 minutes a day by walking around barefoot, gardening, putting your feet in natural water or swimming can support heart health by:

• Reducing inflammation
• Lowering blood pressure
• Lowering heart rate
• Reducing blood viscosity
• Improving sleep (which affects the heart)
• Reducing stress

4. Gardening May Have Specific Heart Health Benefits

Despite all the advances in medical technology, early diagnostics, our understanding of how lifestyle affects health and research, heart disease remains America’s #1 killer, with cancer close behind.

This can make a person feel powerless, especially if we have heart disease in our families or have been diagnosed despite our best efforts to live a healthy lifestyle.

But what if there were a way to reduce your risk of heart disease without changing your diet or devoting hours to exercise?

Gardending can help a lot. 

The 12-year study examined over 4000 people over age 60 who did not exercise vigorously on a daily basis.

They found those who exercised modestly through activities like gardening, picking berries, walking, cutting the lawn or fixing up their cars had a 27 percent reduction in strokes and a 30 percent reduction in death by any cause.

In other words, you could increase your lifespan by 30 percent by starting a garden or taking time to tend to your property.

Studies have also shown time spent earthing or grounding, which occurs naturally when we garden, can reduce stress and inflammation, two leading contributors to heart disease. 

5. Time Spent in Greenspace Reduces Stress & Anxiety, Which Promotes Heart Health

Stress is widely recognized as a causal and contributing factor to heart disease.

Yet, the constant noise, long commutes, traffic jams, worries about crime and general hustle and bustle can make it more difficult to manage stress in urban or suburban settings.

This doesn’t mean people in rural areas don’t experience stress. 

However, a rural setting can help us avoid many common urban and suburban stressors. Especially if we spend time in nature, create a safe space for ourselves and spend less time in the city.

Various research studies suggest the same.

Time spent in nature can reduce: 

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Muscle tension 
• Stress hormones 
• Nervous system arousal
• Anxiety
• Feelings of isolation
• Risk of mental illness
• Symptoms of ADHD

While increasing:

• Feelings of calm
• A positive mood/outlook
• Immune system function
• Self-esteem

Spending time in nature also has a positive social impact, with research showing it can enhance community cohesion and lower crime rates.

6. Better Air Quality = A Healthier Cardiovascular System

Rural places in North America tend to have lower rates of air pollution than urban areas.

This is part of the reason city dwellers and those living near traffic have higher rates of asthma and respiratory illnesses. 

Although respiratory health may seem unrelated to heart health, the two are very much connected.

As you may know, the heart relies on a steady supply of oxygent from the lungs to function optimally. Likewise, the lungs rely on a steady supply of oxygenated blood to function and breathe.

Without adequate oxygen, the heart will eventually fail, causing distress and, ultimately, failure of the lungs.

If the lungs are ailing or failing due to a lack of oxygen from something like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it can cause a rise in blood pressure, known as pulmonary hypertension, which puts stress on the right side of the heart and can cause it to fail.

As you can see, air quality can significantly impact heart health through its effects on the lungs.

It says a lot about the benefits of fresh, clean country air!

7. Nature Exposure Lowers Blood Pressure

Humans have an intuitive sense that being in the country and in nature helps us relax.

This feeling can be so tangible it’s common to hear people say, “When I arrive in the country/the woods/the lake, etc. I can feel my blood pressure dropping.”

As previously mentioned, research has confirmed that time spent in quiet natural spaces can help lower blood pressure. Practice earthing or grounding, gardening, tending animals, hiking or forest bathing or doing farm chores can also help.

8. Spending Time Around Animals May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Having pets around provides many benefits, such as creating a sense of purpose, joy and companionship for people of all ages.

These benefits can be magnified when caring for farm animals like chickens, horses, pigs, goats or cows, who require special care and give back in spades.

Regular interaction with pets and farm animals benefits your heart health by:

• Improving physical fitness 
• Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
• Reducing stress
• Reducing the risk of obesity
• Improving overall quality of life

Animals also protect against loneliness and depression, significant risk factors of heart disease, while giving us a sense of purpose and, in some cases, security.

There is also ample research on how riding, caring for and interacting with horses or equine therapy, can help ease specific mental health disorders, like PTSD, trauma, anxiety, regulation of emotions, compulsiveness, social skills, trust and more.

Equine therapy can also be especially therapeutic for autisic children and teens.

9. More Fresh Air Promotes Better Sleep, Which Benefits Your Heart

Most people relate deficiencies in diet, stress management and exercise to heart disease.

However, did you know a lack of sleep is also a leading risk factor?

 A lack of sleep can directly and indirectly harm the heart and cardiovascular system via its effects on stress response, blood sugar, metabolism, mood and other factors.

Fortunately, there’s good news for rural people, provided they take advantage of the great outdoors.

Research has shown exposure to fresh air and sunlight, particularly morning sunlight, has a positive impact on the circadian rhythm, also known as your sleep cycle.

Wise mothers and grandmothers have known this for centuries, hence why they were always insistent that children spend plenty of time outdoors.

Not only does it promote physical activity, but it wears them out! 

Adults would be wise to apply this wisdom (and science) to their own lives by taking advantage of beautiful rural places for morning walks, hikes, farm work and other outdoor pursuits.

10. Country Living & Farm Life Support the Microbiome and Gut-Heart Axis

Various aspects of country life, such as tending farm animals, gardening and spending time in nature, have been shown to positively impact gut microbiome diversity.

This has a direct impact on many aspects of health, including cardiovascular function, via the gut-heart connection or gut-heart axis.

Here’s a quick explainer.

Studies have shown the bacterial composition of our gut microbiome can impact various aspects of cardiovacular health, including:

• Artery health
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Plaquing
• And overall cardiovascular health and function

The connection involves how specific gut microbes, also known as probiotics, interact with various aspects of the cardiovascular and metabolic systems, as well as the central and enteric nervous systems (the enteric nervous system is the nervous system housed in your gut that forms the basis of the gut-brain connection).

Doctors have recognized a connection between the gut and the heart for years, which is why a high-fiber diet has always been recommended for heart health. 

However, the official discovery and nuances of the gut-heart axis are a relatively new phenomenon.

If you are interested in buying or selling rural property, please give the Rural KC Team-Keller Williams Partners a call.  We would love to help.