Purchasing an Off Grid Home in Colorado: What You Need to Know

Buying a home that is off-grid takes a little knowledge of how homes actually function. Off-grid living isn’t for everyone and you really need to know you will be sacrificing some luxuries by living off the grid. It is a great thing to do if you are looking for helping the environment or wanting a bug out home for a survival bunker if the SHTF.

What is off-grid living?

Off-grid living is going off-grid electricity for your home. All electrical devices need power to function. Water may or may not be necessary, you will have to learn the particulars of the local conditions and what kind of water you have. It is a great concept, but it is not for everybody. Buying an Off Grid Home for your Family Off-grid homes have to be fairly well designed to maximize the amount of light and heat they generate. They have to be located in an area where you will have plenty of sun or at least close to it. The temperature needs to be fairly consistent and you need to take into account the amount of wind you are going to have to deal with. They will require maintenance and the infrastructure you build will require much thought.

What are the pros and cons of off-grid living?

Here are the pros and cons to off-grid living: Pros of Off-Grid Living

1. Off-Grid Living Cuts Energy Costs Living off-grid is great if you are trying to cut your utility bills by turning off your power grid. Turning off the power grid isn’t as hard as you would think and it might even save you money. Pros of Off-Grid Living

2. Healthier Planet If you are going off-grid you are doing your part to help save our earth and help it become healthier. There are studies that show if you live in an off-grid house your kids are less likely to get sick and stay healthier, that is because the fresh air you breathe is less polluted by the junk and chemicals that are in the air we breathe in the cities. Pros of Off-Grid Living.

How to choose the right property for you

There are a lot of homes listed on eBay and craigslist, but there are a few things to consider when you are looking for an off-grid home that doesn’t require an island. There are some problems with the homes you find on eBay and craigslist, some of the problems include: Price: Before buying an off-grid property, research the price. You want to be sure you can afford the property, otherwise you will be buying a house that may be lower quality than what you are looking for and can’t afford. Always make sure the property you are buying is comparable to the one’s you are already buying. Secure: After doing your research and determining what you can afford, look into the property carefully. If there is any kind of issue with the property you will want to research that item.

What is a grid-tie solar system?

First, you need to understand what a grid-tie solar system is. A grid-tie system is one that you install in a house and then the home must be hooked up to the grid for electricity. I would say the only ones that are usually off-grid are off-grid trailers and yurts. Grid-tie systems are solar panels connected in series to one outlet. This is what you will be seeing. On your Google earth, make a quick flight over your property. Here is an example: Grid tie Here is an example of a grid tie solar system. This particular system is used for a mobile home but can also be used for a cabin. The mobile home could be used as a summer home or a tiny house. There are many different options for these systems and you can have them fixed or mobile.

Why would I want and off grid solar system and how does it work?

As the cost of the energy in the United States rises, people are turning to different ways to cut costs. Options like solar panels and solar hot water systems can help lower your monthly energy bills. The average solar home utilizes 21 percent less electricity. In case you are wondering how much does it cost to power an off grid home, the answer is a very affordable rate of $75 to $130 per month, depending on the size of your solar system. How much does it cost to run an off grid home? You have to understand that you can’t live off of a cordless or battery charged system. To run the home, the solar panels need to be fully charged and installed at night and during the day. A solar system from a commercial manufacturer can cost around $4,000 to $5,000.

What is a Off Grid Home?

A true off-grid home is an absolutely self-sufficient home. It doesn’t rely on any forms of electricity or water. It is completely self-sustaining and uses all renewable energy, geothermal, solar, wind, and water. This is a great option for those that want a fun and adventurous lifestyle without ever seeing another human for a long time. It can be a really awesome way to live off the grid. These homes aren’t too hard to build, they just need to be carefully designed so that they work on the entire property. Most off-grid homes are also designed to accommodate a family of four, but any family size is fine. What About the Water? Living off the grid can be really cool for the kids and you for that matter.

Why would I want to live off the grid?

I have been in many survivalist groups and had several of the folks that are leading these groups tell me that I needed to live off the grid. A few reasons for this is because of what is happening in our world, especially with fracking. As it turns out, all this water being pumped out of the ground is not really going back in, because there is still a lot of oil in it, and more gas. So we have a lot of water that is being wasted, or what is called “fugitive” water. We also need to conserve on the electricity grid because, as most of you know, we are on a coal-fired grid. Most of the time that electricity is burned up in coal is the dust that can cause some health issues.

Preparation for an off grid home purchase

There are several parts to the prepping for an off grid home purchase. You first need to have a team of people that are knowledgeable about energy and getting power to an off grid home. You need an electrician to do the install of the electrical components in the home, a person to talk to about the micro-grid and make sure everything is up to snuff, and the insurance and financial experts that can help you get it paid for or figure out how to pay for it. It can be difficult to secure a loan to purchase an off-grid home because of the safety of off-grid living. You need to be sure that your investment is a safe one for your children and family. It is best to have your family at your house at least a week or two before the move.

How do you find a home that is off-grid?

Most homes on the market in Colorado, where I live in Grand Junction, will be for sale. Many of them will be a little older. These homes are off-grid because they have electricity in them. They may have solar panels or wind turbines. Some do not have electricity or use a generator to generate it. Some of the homes may have electric service, but are only seasonal and are switched to grid power during the summer months. To be considered an off-grid home, there must be: A separate “waste to energy” or energy service facility and A source of electricity, like an inverter that converts the direct current from the solar panels to an alternating current A water source that is off-grid All these things cost money and many people are strapped financially. There are even luxury off grid homes on the market.

Purchasing your first off grid property

The first thing you need to consider is if your property is well-located. Places such as nature preserves and national parks are great, but make sure the house is on top of any possible flooding or fire risks. If your house is not on top of any natural gas or power lines, it can be difficult to install generators, which can cost as much as your home. You also need to make sure your property can withstand a storm or power outage. Buyer beware! Many people assume they are buying an off-grid home. The house isn’t going to get struck by lightening or crushed by a giant tree falling on it, so you need to make sure it can hold up in a storm. What property should you look for?

About the author: Real Estate Agent

I am the owner and employing broker at a real estate company located in Colorado. I was asked to be a guest blogger on Politically Social due to my work experience as a small business owner, a day trader and the owner of a real estate brokerage firm. I have spent most of my adult life as a person in tuned with the business world and studying the economy.