Welcome to the LSB Property Guide!
Here you'll find practical information to help you find the perfect lifestyle farm.
Once you're living on your farm, you can find all the help and advice you need on this site. For articles on all aspects of lifestyle farming look at our lifestyle file. If you're looking for something in particular then use the search box above. If not, then browse the article titles and see what there is to help you. If you can't find an answer here then why not ask in our discussion forums? One of the very friendly and helpful members is sure to be able to help you.
New articles are added all the time so don't forget to check back here regularly!
A supply of timber on your farm can be invaluable, both as a source of firewood, and as a future source of income if you grow trees for fine timbers. Maxine Fraser, who also provided information on planning and planting an orchard, established a timber lot with her late husband Tony on their 80-acre property at Te Pahu, in the Waikato.
Establishing an orchard on your lifestyle block can involve a good deal of work, and sometimes money, so it’s worth doing some careful planning before taking spade to soil. If you get it right, it will reward you for decades with home-grown fruit and nuts.
Building on a sloping building site can be fraught with challenges. It is always more expensive than building on a dead flat site and so it pays to take an 'eyes wide open' approach and learn as much as you can as early as you can to find the most appropriate solution.
Lifestyle blocks come in all shapes and sizes and before you start looking for the perfect block you need to know what you're looking for. The first thing you need to consider is what you want to do with your block.
Rural properties are easy targets for thieves. Here are some points to consider: Criminals like easy pickings so don't make it easy for them. Avoid leaving "starter kits" for young criminals. These are items like chainsaws and mowers that can be easily taken and traded for dope with gangs.
Trees add value to almost any property. Architects’ drawings usually include a tree or shrub to offset straight lines, soften sharp corners, accentuate geometric shapes and create atmosphere. When selling anything, eye-appeal is the first consideration. If the first impression is pleasing then minor drawbacks can be overlooked. A few strategically-placed trees add monetary value beyond the mere cost of purchase and planting.
Trees add value to almost any property. Architects’ drawings usually include a tree or shrub to offset straight lines, soften sharp corners, accentuate geometric shapes and create atmosphere. When selling anything, eye-appeal is the first consideration. If the first impression is pleasing then minor drawbacks can be overlooked.