We found our land!

On December 20, we had the chance to give ourselves a beautiful Christmas gift: the purchase of a 15.5-acre wooded lot. The moment felt surreal — it marked the culmination of several months of active searching. The final weeks had been particularly intense, and everything moved quickly at the end. While we know people for whom this process took several years, we consider ourselves lucky to have found our land in seven months. That said, the journey came with plenty of highs and lows. We hope that by sharing what we’ve learned, we can help light the way for others walking the same path. If our previous article on land search focused more on practical tips, this one offers a personal look at our experience.

An emotional rollercoaster

It’s important not to underestimate the emotions you’ll experience during your land search. We began this project with a desire to live more simply, reduce our carbon footprint, and reconnect with a more authentic way of life. With a strong interest in tiny homes and passive houses, our project became tangible when we discovered the Fjord model from Maison Suprême’s Nordique series at the Moncton Home Show in March 2024. It was love at first sight with this charming Scandinavian-style home.

The following Saturday, we visited the Moncton office near the airport and met with Mike. At that point, we were nearly ready to purchase the Fjord 2 (884 sq ft), even though we didn’t yet have land (yes — the excitement was real!). But we quickly realized there were several technical considerations when buying a prefab home. So we took notes and told Mike our build was planned for 2025, and we started looking for land.

A longer search than expected

Truthfully, we thought we’d find our land in a few weeks, maybe three to four months max. Instead, we discovered the process would take more time — and that it was far less linear than we’d imagined. We dove into listings from real estate agents: Realtor, Facebook groups, real estate newsletters, Kijiji, and more. We let friends and family know, asking them to keep an eye out. Our weekends were soon filled with road trips to visit potential lots, some listed publicly, others not. We even made a few bold moves and contacted landowners directly to see if they might consider selling (okay — we only dared to try this twice).

We were lucky to work with a fantastic real estate agent, Sophie, whom we met through our neighbours. The experience was positive and enriching. Sophie supported us throughout, sending listings and occasionally checking in — always respectfully, never pushy. We learned how crucial it is to work with people who share your values and understand your vision. We truly lucked out in that regard.

The hard hits

One lot we visited checked almost every box — but it was sold right before our eyes. We were days away from submitting an offer when we learned someone else already had one accepted. Of course, we were disappointed, but we stayed calm and submitted our own offer anyway, in case the first one fell through. Eventually, we learned the sale had gone through. That disappointment took weeks to recover from. Friends tried to reassure us — saying it wasn’t meant to be and something better would come — but the sting of the loss was very real.

The silver lining? We learned how important it is to be ready to act quickly when you find something you love. The next time we fell for a property, we were the first to make an offer — and that made all the difference.

The surprises

Searching for land, as Forrest Gump might say, is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get. Some lots looked nothing like their listings, while others pleasantly surprised us. Some had no visible markings, and we had to search for ribbons or corner stakes to figure out where we were. One lot we were very interested in fell through due to miscommunication. We learned to be more flexible, more open to the unexpected, and to embrace each part of the process — even when it felt like we were straying from our original vision.

Respecting each other

If you’re navigating this with a partner (or more than one person), it’s essential to respect how each person experiences the process. Our ways of evaluating land were very different. I focused on intuition — how the place made me feel, what it awakened in my senses. I was fascinated by trees, nature sounds, the overall vibe. I often touched the trees and took photos of anything that inspired me. My husband, meanwhile, focused on identifying boundary lines — searching for ribbons or signs around us. While he searched, I wandered, and we found ways to support one another, each in our own way. That balance ultimately helped us find the land that felt right — and our mutual respect made it possible to move forward in harmony.

The value of openness

At the beginning of our search, we had targeted a few specific areas — mainly Kent and Memramcook. These regions appealed to us for many reasons. But as time went on, we expanded our scope, exploring places like Rogersville. These drives helped us better understand what we could realistically manage in terms of daily commute. One of our priorities was to reduce our carbon footprint — and driving 60 to 90 minutes each day wasn’t compatible with that.

During a pause in our active search, we came across a new listing — almost by accident. It was a rainy, windy Saturday in November. We contacted the listing agent, who (luckily!) picked up the phone. We visited the lot in the pouring rain — and fell in love with it. As soon as we had all the necessary info, we asked Sophie to reach out to the seller’s agent. Within two days, our offer was submitted — and within a few weeks, the deal was done.

Sharing your vision matters

One of the biggest lessons we’ve taken from this journey is how important it is to share your vision. The seller had begun receiving multiple inquiries — but chose to move forward with us because he saw the sincerity behind our project. This experience showed us the power of clear and honest communication.

This land search was challenging, yes — but also deeply rewarding. Each step brought its own lessons, growth, and grounding in what matters most. By respecting our differences, staying open to surprises, and sharing our intentions, we eventually found land that aligned with our values. We hope our story encourages and supports others navigating this path — and that every step of your journey feels just as meaningful as the destination.