Before You Buy 

So what are some things to consider before buying your first home or property? For help with this, I like to turn to the permaculture Scale of Permanence.

Though initially designed for the farm, this scale can be beneficial at a homeowner's level, especially for those venturing into homesteading or looking to produce most of their meals at home. 

Over time, permaculture designers Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier have expanded on the original design for this scale to incorporate the complexity of social systems into the list. As a result, the modified scale is rated from the most permanent (climate) to the easiest to change (aesthetics and experience).

1. Climate
2. Landform
3. Water
4. Invisible Structures (Social and Economic Factors)
5. Access and Circulation
6. Vegetation and Wildlife
7. Microclimate
8. Buildings and Infrastructure
9. Zones of Use
10. Soil
11. Aesthetics and Experience

This article will discuss the first three factors: climate, landform, and water. We will also take time to discuss microclimates and how they differ from the macro-climate.

How Does Climate Affect A Home Purchase?

Climate is placed at the forefront because it is a fixed feature, requiring vast amounts of energy to shift or alter. If you recently moved to a new latitude or are just beginning the adventure into sustainability, here are a few things to consider about your environment.

Growing a Garden

First, if you're moving with the hopes of growing a grander garden, then ask yourself, "what is your location's plant hardiness zone?" Knowing your hardiness zone will determine what plants you can grow on your property.

This information includes understanding things like first and last frost dates. Understanding how many frost-free days you have allows you to decide what plants will have enough time to produce crops. The worst thing is when you think you have enough time for your favorite tomatoes, only to get one harvest before the frost. If you're looking to produce a sizeable yield, enough to provide for yourself or your household, understanding your growing season will be fundamental.

How Does Landscape Impact Home Purchase Decisions?

The landscape of your property follows climate on the scale of permeance. The reason for this is that the landscape, though challenging, can ultimately be shaped. Unfortunately, this process requires vast amounts of energy to be expended through large tractors and machines moving the earth. But before you buy a piece of property with the purpose of terraforming, observe your landscape and see what features you can utilize!

Elevation

Have you explored how elevation affects the home? Higher elevations function similarly to moving to higher latitudes. For example, every 1,000-meter increase in elevation, temperatures fall an average of 6°C. This difference has the potential to change the types of plants and insects you may encounter. For example, look at how elevation makes a difference in the ecoregions of Arizona. Over a three-hour drive, you can leave Phoenix's desert heat and cactuses and find the pines and snow of Flagstaff.

Solar Considerations

The solar aspect refers to the property's placement in relation to the sun, or "sun sector." For example, a south-facing position is ideal in the northern hemisphere. It receives the most light throughout the day and acts as a feature fundamental in creating a passive solar house. By understanding your "sun sector" location, you can map out a garden or solar panels before you decide to invest the money.

Geology

Finally, knowing the geology of your land is ideal, as it gives you a glimpse back in time at how the landscape evolved. These can affect how you design your home or build your garden. For example, suppose you chose to purchase a once glaciated property. In that case, it could mean more difficulty removing rocks before you can grow. Still, it can also be an opportunity to design unique raised beds that make your property stand out from the neighbors.

Always remember, unexpected features uncovered through any of these steps aren't necessarily detrimental. Instead, by understanding them, we have the opportunity to respond to these issues and design some genuinely creative and sustainable strategies.

What Role Does Microclimate Play In Buying A Home?

Sun and Shade

Microclimate plays a significant role in the overall development of a property. For example, if the only place you can grow food is in a spot that receives partial light, it will require extra work to either provide that site with more light or create a new site for food production. In addition, knowing the sun and shade of a property beforehand allows you to plot out where to plant niche-specific varieties, like a favorite shade lover or a thirsty willow.

Of this list, microclimates are the easiest to work with, which is why they typically fall later in the Scale of Permeance. However, it is great to start looking at them from the beginning to better guide your design. In the following article, we will be looking at invisible structures, access and circulation, buildings and infrastructure, and zones of use.