A lot of off grid folk build their own homes. Which I guess is good in the sense that you have total control over the structure and if you are experienced in the construction industry you can save a lot of money.

But I think when I eventually buy land I would rather buy land eventually with a cabin or small house already on it. Just because I’m not really experienced at building things and I don’t want to go through the hoops of necessary permits and inspections. I also don’t want to cut down even more of the wilderness to have a place to live.

I don’t mind making upgrades to an existing cabin or off grid house. I doubt I would go for a big 200 amp system hooked through an large inverter like some people do. I would rather have a smaller system and only use an inverter for stepping up the voltage where absolutely necessary, running most of my loads on low voltage, low amperage connections.

If the structure lacked hot water and a shower I would probably add that using an instant hot-water tank running on propane. While I don’t mind an outhouse or composting toilet and a bucket shitter for cold weather, hot water is essential for showering and getting clean. Instant on propane water heaters are relatively inexpensive this day of age, and there are 12 volt pumps that can create water pressure. Waste water from washing can be saved and used for gardens.

At any rate, buying an existing structure may be more expensive but it’s easier and more sustainable. It seems like even in rural areas that the countryside is getting more built up and the woods fragmented. Why contribute further to that problem? Why use up more resources than necessary? Even though I do recognize that today with the decline of farming and homesteading, the woods is much more intact in many parts of the country than even 50 or 100 years ago.

I like the idea of having a place I could move into directly and build on that. A place that requires less work, less new material, less tweaking. A decade from now, especially with more off-grid places and hunting camps coming onto the market as people pass or move on, I think there will be a lot more options.