Dear Aggie Archives: Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Address all questions to Aggie@Homestead.org
Dear Aggie,
Can you tell me which states still allow free homestead of land and who to contact on this and how to go about the process?
SC61
Dear SC,
This is a question yours truly is asked on a very regular basis, and the short answer is “There aren't any.”
If you require a more detailed reply, let me quote directly from the US Government Information website, since it’s the only place I’ve found official US Government information compiled in a clear and understandable manner-
“No matter what you may have heard or read, there is no such thing as "free land from the government." There is no federal homesteading program and public land the government does sell is sold only at market value.
Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLMPA), the federal government took over ownership of public lands and abolished all remaining traces of the often-amended Homestead Act of 1862. Specifically, the FLMPA declared that, "the public lands be retained in Federal ownership, unless as a result of the land use planning procedure provided in this Act, it is determined that disposal of a particular parcel will serve the national interest..."
Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees the use of some 264 million acres of public land, representing about one-eighth of all the land in the United States. In passing the FLMPA, Congress assigned the main duty of the BLM as "the management of the public lands and their various resource values so that they are utilized in the combination that will best meet the present and future needs of the American people."
What about ads for "low cost" government land?
Be very careful of any company or person selling information about how to buy federal public land for what sound like extremely low prices, often as low as $1.25 per acre. While the BLM does occasionally sell land, it is priced at fair market value, as required by law.Federal law requires that all parcels of public land sold by BLM fall into one of three categories:
- Scattered and isolated tracts that are difficult or uneconomical to manage;
- Tracts acquired by the BLM for a specific purpose that are no longer needed for that purpose;
- Or land where disposal will serve important public objectives, such as community expansion and economic development.
In addition, BLM only sells public land located in the western states of: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Due to the rapid growth of cities and towns in the Western U.S. resulting in an increased need for open space, BLM has become even more reluctant to sell land than in the past. Consumers should contact any BLM office, visit the BLM's Land Sales and Disposal Web site, or call 202-452-5125 for more information about BLM land sales.
Several other federal agencies also sell land, houses and other real property. For more information, see: Government Sales and Auctions: Real Estate”
Dear Aggie,
I don't know if you print advice from readers, but I understand Richard's situation with the health problems. We also have concerns. When we began our search for a retirement farm in Tennessee, my husband was concerned about the state, and found that in SOME states, it is reasonably easy to get within 20 minutes of a hospital, IF you are in an area of small towns. Texas was difficult - but we were told that if you call 911 they would send an ambulance to MEET you en route. When I check out a property online, I always do a Yahoo map with the address and then enter the word "hospital" in the "find on the map" section (below the "get map" area. We've found lots of farms in small-town "hollers" that are reasonably convenient to doctors and hospitals if you have a reliable vehicle and are not afraid to drive fast.
By the way, we are still looking for a place. We'd like between 40 - 100 acres in Middle Tennessee, so we can retire close to family (who are south of Nashville). If any readers know of a good deal on such a place, reply to: bvann@vpsinc.net.
Good luck, Richard! I know there is a good place for you out there!
Brenda
Friend Brenda,
Aggie is always happy for assistance, especially with something as important as health issues at stake. Your idea of using the Yahoo Map Search is brilliant, and I know that your search for land is as methodical and thorough. May I suggest that you narrow your sights to one or two counties in your target area, and forge a relationship with someone at either the county clerk’s office or the tax office there? Your new friends can supply you with name and address of out-of-town owners who may be willing to sell if approached, and also parcels coming for auction due to delinquent taxes.
Happy Homestead Hunting!
Dear Aggie,
I live on a small piece of land 23 miles from the nearest town. I am not a particularly social person, and I much prefer my peace, quiet and seclusion.
I am also some distance from all of my neighbors except one. This neighbor lives only a couple of hundred yards away from the county road and me - this is an unpaved road, but gets a fair amount of traffic none-the-less.
Here's my problem: my neighbor raises large dogs, German Shepherds, and at any given time, there are six to a dozen of them in their kennel right next to the road. Every time a car drives past, the dogs start to bark and sometimes all the barking can go on for several minutes.
This is driving me absolutely crazy.
Other than this, she is a perfect neighbor who causes me no problems, but these dogs appear to be all she lives for and I don't think she would consider getting rid of them.
What can I do?
Lawanda
My Poor Lawanda,
I do understand your distress at having your peace and quiet shattered by your neighbor’s dogs. You are generous for pointing out that this is the only contentious issue in an otherwise stellar relationship between you.
Is there a reason the dogs’ kennel needs to be right up on the road? Perhaps their main yard could be moved out of sight of traffic, giving them less cause for sounding the alarm. If that’s the case, you could certainly offer assistance in the building of the new kennel runs. On the other hand, if she WANTS them that close to the roadway, I’m sure you could come to an agreement as to suitable exercise times for the dogs - perhaps a designated “Quiet Time” when the dogs are to be kenneled inside from 10 p.m. - 7 a.m.?
I am hopeful that you and she can come to some acceptable agreement that will preserve the precious individual freedoms living in the country is all about for all parties involved.
Dear Aggie,
I have lots of splotchy spots of dirt on my computer screen. I've tried getting them off with those pop-up wet-wipes manufactured just for that purpose, but all they seem to do is take off the dust. I see that they contain isopropyl alcohol. I don't even know what that is. Can I just douse my screen with Windex? Water? Rubbing alcohol?
This is driving me nuts.
Nils
My Slightly Addled Nils,
I am flattered (but a tad confused) that you confidently assume that Aggie can solve your sticky monitor issues. I’ve consulted (via search engine) with Tara Aronson, the "Thoroughly Modern Mom” who suggests the following:-
“Cleaning the Monitor
Stop! We know what you're thinking!
You're thinking, "What's the big deal? Just spray it with window cleaner, right?"
Wrong, computer killer. Never spray anything directly onto the monitor or the screen.Some spray will go through vents onto the circuit boards. And circuit boards are very finicky about being sprayed with any liquid, especially caustic cleansers. Here is the safe way to clean your monitor:
- Turn off the computer. Don't just power down; turn it off at the switch.
- Gently wipe plastic casing with a cloth dampened with water and just a bit of dishwashing detergent.
- Spray glass cleanser onto a lint-free cloth and then gently wipe the screen.
- Never touch the back of the monitor.
You could also buy special cleansers for computers at computer stores. You will need these to clean laptops, which are more delicate than PCs. “
Since dish soap is designed to cut through grease, I feel that it will surely and safely help your screen. If, for some reason, it does NOT, I suggest this: http://www.theslurps.com/
Dear Aggie,
My neighbor has this extremely weird tree that grows faster than anything I ever seen. I stopped and asked him about it one day and he said it was a Paloanya, but I tried to look that up and couldn't find anything about Paloanya trees. Now he's in Florida for the winter. Can you help me?
Raymond
Dear Spelling-Challenged Raymond,
I believe what you are referring to is a “Paulownia Tree”. Our friends at http://www.paulowniasupply.com/index.htm, state the following, and I’m inclined to be a friend of any tree with which Jimmy Carter is friendly:
“Royal Paulownia trees can reach roof height the very first year. Get quick shade or privacy without the wait… turns that bare spot into a beautiful showpiece… complementing your home.
Plant a tree that’s actually Fun to Grow! Your neighbors and children will be fascinated by the first year growth rate of up to 10 feet or more. We have seen some Paulownia Trees grow over 20 feet in one season.
Plus, you’ll delight in the spectacular show of lush, lavender blossoms year after year. Clip some blooms and put them in a vase - so you can fill your home with their fresh, delicate aroma. Paulownia Tree Flowers look like opulent Cascading Orchids…full of rich color.
The Royal Paulownia Tree is easy to grow. Simply add water… stand back and watch how fast it soars. Resists temperature extremes from –10F to 110F. You control the height you want by easily pruning off sprouting lower branches.
Large leaves shade your home during the hot months, then drop in the Fall, allowing sunlight through when it's needed most.
We routinely hear stories of old growth Paulownia trees being worth thousands of dollars. Paulownia trees are one of the most valuable hardwoods grown in the US. Much of this wood is shipped to Japan where they revere Paulownia for its beauty and pay large sums for it.
Traditionally, when Japanese couples have a daughter, they plant a Paulownia tree. When the daughter is ready to marry, they cut down the tree and make a dowry chest, furniture and other items out of it for wedding gifts.
Paulownia trees are believed to bring Good Fortune to the household and all who enter.
Ancient Lore has it, that when the legendary Phoenix flew across the Orient, it would only land on Paulownia Trees… bringing prosperity and wisdom to those who were near.
Paulownia Supply Tree Nursery provides a predictably fast growing, beautiful tree that will give your home both charm and beauty.
Your fast growing Paulownia (Empress) tree is easy to grow. It prefers well-drained areas with some direct sunlight. They grow in almost any soil.
Paulownia Trees are drought resistant once established. Their roots tend to go deep into the ground in search of water, rather than on the surface. This makes planting around the tree easy and makes it friendlier to nearby walkways or fixtures.
Unlike some fast growth trees that have short life spans, a healthy Paulownia Tree can live for 80 to 100 years.
"Don't put your face over it or you may get a mouthful of leaves."
Jimmy Carter- Former President and Commercial Paulownia
Tree Grower, discussing the trees fast growth.”
Address all questions to Aggie@Homestead.org
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