Water

Getting water onto off-grid land: wells, rainwater, water rights, and hauling.

Land & Building · WaterAugust 20, 2026

How to Evaluate Soil Health Before Buying Land

The USDA maps soil data for 95%+ of U.S. counties free. Here's how to evaluate soil health before buying land, from soil type to septic viability.

WaterAugust 13, 2026

Water Rights in the American West

Water rights in the American West usually transfer with the land, but not always. Here's what land buyers need to verify before making an offer.

Water · CostAugust 4, 2026

How to Research Well Data on Any Property Before You Visit

A home's well should give about 6 GPM, or feed a storage tank if it gives less. Here's how to check well data for any parcel before you buy.

Water · CostJuly 13, 2026

Planning a Homestead? How Much Water You Actually Need on Rural Land

How much water does a homestead need? A family of four with livestock and a garden needs 1,000 to 1,500 gallons a summer day. How to check a property's supply.

WaterJune 18, 2026

How Do You Get Water on Off-Grid Land?

Most off-grid homes run on a well, rainwater, or hauled water. Here is how much you need, what each costs, and how to check a parcel before you buy.

Considering a specific parcel?
Screen a property
A free 0-100 off-grid score for any US or Canadian parcel, in about a minute.
Screen it free →
Already own the land?
Build homestead plan
A step-by-step build plan for your land: what to build, in what order, at what cost.
Build my plan →