From Hunting Property to Homeland Financing: The Transition to Rural Life With Rural 1st®

In 2022, Ryan, a sales director, and Megan, a middle school health teacher, traded the fast-paced streets of Indianapolis for a hunting property in rural southern Indiana. What began as a weekend getaway location purchased in 2016 became their permanent sanctuary, motivated by a desire for slower living, a deep connection to nature and proximity to close friends on an adjacent property.

Article sponsored by Rural 1st®.

Room to Roam

For the entire family, the land is a place for wellness and education. Ryan uses his “off-the-grid” time to decompress from everyday stress, while Megan incorporates her gardening and beekeeping hobbies into her health curriculum.

Their children now spend their time fishing and golfing outside, rather than inside a suburban home.

“I’m trying to teach my kids how good it is for your soul to be outside,” Megan shares.

The Financial Foundation

To build their custom dream home, the couple partnered with the team of rural lending experts at Rural 1st®. Now on their third project with the customer-owned cooperative, Ryan credits Rural 1st’s one-time close construction loan and digital build management tool for keeping their project on schedule.

He values the personalized service, noting that their loan officer even collaborated with their financial advisor to navigate rising construction costs.

Beyond the Build

As construction progresses, the family plans to utilize Rural 1st’s conversion program*, which allows them the possibility to convert to a lower interest rate every 12 months under the right conditions. This cooperative benefit serves as a major incentive to finish their build within a 12-month timeline.

Ultimately, Megan and Ryan are focused on the long-term legacy of their rural lifestyle.

“What matters to us is family, friends and the outdoors,” Ryan says.

Want to finance your own hunting property or rural home? Connect with a Rural 1st loan officer in your area today to get started.

Loans subject to credit approval and eligibility. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Farm Credit Mid-America is an Equal Housing Lender. Rural 1st® is a tradename and Rural 1st and the Rolling Hills Window icon are exclusive trademarks of Farm Credit Mid-America, NMLS 407249. Rural 1st products are available to consumers within the territories of participating Farm Credit System Associations.

*Provided that eligibility requirements are met. Conversion has a one-time fee of $750.00. Terms and Conditions may apply. The fee is subject to change without notice.