With the political climate being what it is, there is a growing interest in self-sufficiency and homesteading. If you're in the market for a new home, there are certain features you should look for that can help you take a few steps towards becoming more self-reliant and better able to weather social troubles that may come down the road. Here are two home features modern homesteaders need.

A Big Yard

If you have to choose between a big backyard and more square footage in the home, then choose the option with the most yard space. The primary reason for this is the bigger the yard, the more space you'll have for food production, water accumulation, and other necessary homesteading activities.

With a large yard, you'll have enough room to plant a vegetable garden, which can help you save money as well as ensure that  you have enough food to sustain you if something happens and you can't get to the grocery store. You can also raise chickens for fresh eggs every day and cows for milk (or meat). You can even set up a system to collect rain water for either use in the home or to sustain the garden during dry days.

Alternatively, you could look for a home located in a new type of community called an agrihood. In this community, there is a large plot of land used specifically for growing food. Everyone in the neighborhood is responsible for taking care of the garden. However, everyone is also free to share the crops. This type of community is great if you want to maintain a connection to your neighbors while still fostering your independence.

Solar Power Friendly

The second thing you want to look for in a homestead house is that the building is capable of supporting alternative energy sources, namely solar power. The sun is the most abundant source of free, environmentally friendly energy. Part of your plan for self-sufficiency should be to take advantage of this resource.

Unfortunately, not all homes are capable of supporting solar panels. Look for a home with a sloped roof that faces true south, as this orientation lets the panels capture the most amount of light. Even if your roof doesn't meet this requirement, you can still use ground panels as long as there aren't any trees on the south facing side that blocks the sun's rays.

It's also a good idea to get a home that has a fireplace. If the electricity goes out, this will provide another way to stay warm and cook food until the power comes back on.

For more information about good features for homesteaders, contact a real estate agent.