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Rob and Mason and Sydney and Karsten are in similar boats: They both want more space and to live out that country life, but neither of the couples have ever done something like that before. This week’s episode of Chasing the West follows these two sets of Western dreamers as they navigate the process of finding and starting a homestead—from gardening to animal care and property upkeep—and discover what all goes into real ranch life.
Both families are coming from more suburban neighborhoods, but they’re tired of living right on top of their neighbors. They want their kids to have the space to run around and play, as well as the room to start ranching. There are drawbacks and upsides to each of the properties they visit with Drew and Jonathan, and no matter what, they’ll have to make sacrifices. It could be the perfect property, but maybe there’s a ton of renovations to get done. Or it’s completely turn-key, but the price is over-budget. Whatever they choose, the Bros are here to help guide them on Chasing the West.
Rob and Mason
Mason and Rob have never lived in the country before, but they want to set their sights on something new. With two kids, two parakeets, three dogs, and seven baby chickens, they’re basically running a farm already! They currently live in the suburbs in Santa Clarita, California, but they don’t love being so close to their neighbors. “My dream for this ranch is to just finally have the room for our kids to go outside and play without me having to worry about them, and finally just have as many chickens as I could possibly fit, and maybe some other animals,” Mason says. Plus, Rob’s event rentals company is booming, and they need more room to expand their inventory.
Easy Does It
5.3 acres | $1.2M | 4 bed/3 bath
Just 40 minutes outside of Santa Clarita, this property has a ton of potential. It’s set up to eventually be an event space, and there’s room for Rob’s trailers and warehouse. It fits their overall budget of $1.6M, with a big chunk of cash leftover they can use for renovations on the house, and to build more structures on the property.
The Whole Shebang
5.1 acres | $1.8M | 4 bed/4 bath
This one is completely move-in ready, from the inside out all the way onto the grounds themselves. There’s a barn, stalls for horses, and space for a warehouse. And the inside of the main home is beautiful—recently renovated with modern amenities and finishes, including a pool. The only catch? The price tag.
After getting the property down to $1.7M, Mason and Rob decided to go with The Whole Shebang. It had everything they needed, and it was completely move-in ready, which took a lot of stress off their plate—especially since they’ll be adjusting to ranch life for the first time. Not only has the home been a great investment for their family life, but it’s also been a fantastic investment for Rob’s business. “We knew that getting the Brothers involved was going to help us find exactly what we were looking for,” Rob says.
Sydney and Karsten
Karsten is a second generation real estate agent. As he grew into the career, it blossomed into a full-blown business of his own. Sydney decided to get licensed as well, and now they run a team together. They have three children, and the family of five currently lives in Ahwatukee, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. But Sydney and Karsten are looking for a life outside of the cookie-cutter suburban neighborhood. Sydney dreams of homesteading and growing her own food, while Karsten wants plenty of land for the kids. Though they’re excited for the journey ahead, they need Drew and Jonathan’s help to find the right place for them and soak in all the advice they have to offer about ranch living.
Dome Sweet Dome
1.05 acres | $839K | 4 bed/3 bath
This dome style build is about 45 minutes from their current neighborhood of Ahwatukee. The outdoor entertaining potential is amazing, with an ADU, hot tub, and rooftop patio with great views—plus plenty of space for a vegetable garden on top of the dome. The dome style would take some getting used to, as the lack of windows and curved walls aren’t for everyone, but it does fit their overall budget of $900K.
Starter Homestead
1.09 acres | $949K | 3 bed/2 bath
Lush and green, this ranch is perfect for the vegetable garden farm they’re looking for. The house itself has a good amount of charm, and there’s some unused space inside to turn into whatever they want, as the house is only partially renovated. However, it backs up directly behind active train tracks, which is obviously not ideal for a growing family.
Olde Timey Saloon
2.5 acres | $575K | 4 bed/2 bath
With more acreage and more of an authentic country ranch feel, this property has the rustic vibe that Karsten is looking for, but it needs some work. Luckily, the price is right, so they have a lot of wiggle room to make it exactly what they want. With that being said, Karsten and Sydney haven’t lived through renovations before, which makes Sydney a bit nervous. It’d be a whole new ballgame for them.
After some negotiations, Sydney and Karsten were able to get the Starter Homestead down to $915K, and officially made it their home. The size of the property is perfect, and Sydney is so excited for her new garden to bloom. And their children are happy, too. “The kids love it, and honestly, they spend more time outside than they do inside!” Sydney says.
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