Put a question out about us moving to SC/NC before but I am getting no where. Contacted a few agents in the areas but the cost and they don't really understand what we need. No much...just country...homestead..with a couple out buildings and a liveable house. The prices are unbelieveable !!! Will be heading south in the next couple of weeks to check into jobs and would like to look at some properties to get an idea of cost of housing. Anyone know of anyone that can help me !! Thanks for any help !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), April 04, 2002

Answers

Well, we looked everywhere before we decided to buy. It all depends where in SC and NC you are looking. It is just like anyother state, if you look for property around cities that have jobs then it is high. If you can make a living on your own, or are self-employed, then you can go much more rural and great deals.

We lived for 5 years near N. Wilksborough, NC and you could still pick up land for little over $1,200 an acre. Here in SW Virginia, if you don't mind driving a bit to work, land is even cheaper and taxes and the cost of living are cheaper too. If you are looking for low taxes, REALLY cheap land, cheap living expenses and don't have to be near a major city, you can't beat the prices in West Virginia! In most areas you can even heat for free because of natural gas on your property. Other states that have some excellent buys are Texas, Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, and some areas of Georgia and northern Florida. In the both NC, SC, and Virginia, the further east you go the higher it gets. Around Charlotte in NC and Columbia in SC are also high.

Jobs in the south aren't good right now. Layoffs and closing in the bigger cities up north are just beginning to trickle down now and hitting hard in many areas. If you need to immediately start work upon moving, be sure you have a firm written committment! There are lots of promises and then the situation for the companies change. We have also found that when a job is listed it is usually several weeks (or months) before the acutal hiring takes place. They do tend to do things more slowly in the south!

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

How much can you afford, what kind of jobs are you looking for, what job skills do you have. How large is your family. We are in the process of selling a home out in the country, here in Alabama. We will either sell the house and lot, or the house and fifty acres. We will finance with a little down, but we have to know you are able to make the payment and one of the usual requirements of getting a loan to buy anything is a job. Give us here on the forum some more infromation and maby some one here can help.

-- David (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), April 04, 2002.

You might check out Preservation North Carolina's website, www.presnc.org. These folks are dedicated to preserving historic houses in the state. They have a list with pictures and info of houses for sale, some in the country with acreage. Nearly all need some work, but the purchase prices are pretty reasonable. I don't know all the details but you have to agree to covenants that you will preserve the historic character of the house.

I don't know the website address, but if you search for Preservation N

-- Scott McAlpine (scottmcalpine@juno.com), April 04, 2002.

E-mail Homesteadhunter@aol.com. For under $15.00 they will search for property for you. The property they look for are mainly the ones NOT listed with the big real estate listing services so they might be able to help. Good Luck!

-- Mike (uyk7@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

Helena, try searching on United Country. I haven't dealt with them but they seem to have some places. good luck.

http://www.unitedcountry.com/ucforms/uconline/uconline/searchv2/Search _State.htm

-- kim in CO (kimk61252@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

First of all, I am a Realtor in Murphy NC. Born and raised in Fla (never been anywhere else) and decided to moved to NC 11 yrs ago. Have some land, horses, goats, chickens, dogs & cats and absolutely love it. Murphy isn't fancy, its very rural and you have to drive 2 hrs to get to a mall.. Not a problem for us but may be for some. Check my site at www.nancylane.com. You can search our properties and also ALL Realtors listings by going to the Search MLS data base. Not saying things are cheap here but since I haven't been anywhere else in quite a while I know we're cheaper than most areas of NC. Murphy isn't a tourist place. About we have is a super wal mart. We border Georgia and Tennessee. Let me know if I can help.

-- Nancy Lane (faith@dnet.net), April 06, 2002.