A couple purchased a sprawling 200-acre homestead in Alaska for $350,000, managing to negotiate below the asking price by submitting a heartfelt 900-word letter. They expressed their commitment to sustaining the previous owner’s conservation legacy.
Elise Giordano, 34, and her husband Ben Hastie, 40, had been dreaming of moving from their two-bedroom cabin, but the market in Palmer, Alaska, was beyond their budget, with prices ranging from several hundred thousand to $2 million.
Determined, Elise’s father, Richard Giordano, 66, stepped in and made an offer of $350,000, adding a thoughtful letter that elaborated on their intentions for the property.
In her letter, Elise expressed her gratitude for the previous owners’ diligent care of the land, praised their conservation work, and committed to upholding that legacy throughout their ownership.
Much to their surprise, their offer was accepted, and now, after three years, they are making strides toward self-sufficiency.
The couple has installed 12 solar panels for electricity and cultivates a variety of vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Elise, a self-employed photographer, recalled, “We made a modest offer, but I think our letter truly conveyed why we were a good fit.”
She elaborated, stating how they highlighted their appreciation for the outdoors and shared how Alaska resonates with them.
“I reassured the former owners of my admiration for their conservation work and pledged to continue that for future generations,” she said. “That’s when they accepted our offer, which was quite lower than what they initially wanted.”
Before their move, Elise and Ben spent a year in a small cabin on Vashon Island in Seattle, where they felt confined and yearned for a different lifestyle.
Richard, residing in New Port Richey, Florida, realized their shared desire for a larger property and proposed they team up for the purchase.
Elise explained, “We wanted more space for our chickens and to raise our kids in a natural environment. My father had similar aspirations.”
They searched various locations, including Montana and North Carolina, yet nothing felt right until Elise discovered the homestead.
Excited, she quickly contacted a real estate agent and made an offer in January 2022, aiming to move in by March.
The property includes two 500-square-foot sheds, a well house, a power house, and a barn suitable for livestock such as goats, chickens, and geese.
Out of the total land, 160 acres are secured by conservation agreements, leaving 40 acres for Elise, Ben, and Richard to utilize as they wish.
Elise noted that her first year presented challenges, particularly when she discovered she was pregnant with their now two-year-old daughter shortly after relocating.
Reflecting on their transition, Elise admitted, “Initially, we thought, ‘What have we gotten ourselves into?’ and then my pregnancy made things trickier.”
She added, “The off-grid lifestyle has tested us. We’ve been here for over three years, and we’re just now getting the hang of it.”
Adjusting to life off the grid hasn’t been straightforward or economical. Since moving to the homestead, they have taken steps toward self-reliance by listing cabins for rent at $85 to $95 per night.
Elise mentioned that while they still shop for some necessities, they aim to catch their own salmon and elk by summer and gradually shift toward complete self-sufficiency.
With 12 solar panels powering their home, a wood stove for heating, and a gas generator for winter, the couple strives to cultivate their own produce as much as possible.
She noted the differences in growing conditions: “Temperatures vary, and the longer days present their own challenges.”
Some vegetables they typically grow outside now require a greenhouse, but this year they successfully harvested peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Ultimately, they aim to maximize homegrown or locally sourced food.
“We still rely on stores to some extent,” Elise said, “but our goal is to rely on ourselves more.”
