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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

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“Going off the grid” generally refers to someone aiming to live in a more natural, eco-friendly way. It doesn’t necessarily mean eschewing electricity and other contemporary comforts altogether, but it usually does mean disconnecting from traditional energy sources in favor of clean ones (think solar, wind, etc.). The idea of living off the grid is to be more mindful of technology usage and reducing your carbon footprint, leading a more self-sufficient/less fossil fuel-dependent life.

Over half the realtors surveyed in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) “2022 REALTORS and Sustainability Report” found that house-hunters are interested in sustainability. Which raises the question: Should you buy a home that’s off the grid? Or convert a home once you do buy it? Here’s what you need to consider.

The first thing to know: There’s no one definition of “off the grid.” There are different levels of off-grid living, from full self-sustainability to semi-independence from public utilities to actively using alternative energy sources.

This type of living off the grid means you’re fully self sufficient and don’t rely on outside sources for your energy, water or sewage removal. It tends to be the least expensive version, but it does require you to do most of the work yourself.

Roughing it will most likely require you to make some significant lifestyle changes, such as making modifications to an existing home or build a new house on land that doesn’t have any connections to public electric or septic systems.

In order to go off the grid this way, you’ll need to commit to an energy source and find a way to connect it to your home or devices (if it’s not there already). Most commonly, this would be using solar panels, installing a solar shingled-roof , or using solar-powered generators. Plus, you’ll need to find some way to collect water — such as using a nearby river or rainwater catchment — for drinking and sanitary needs.

Since those who are “roughing it” are aiming to rely on themselves, most also build a small homestead — aka a farm, growing as much of their own food as possible.

Being partially off the grid means living half-off and half-on — a good compromise for those who still want to live in a more self-sufficient way, but aren’t interested in supplying all of their own needs.

Living partially on the grid can vary quite a bit. For instance, you can have solar panels and a generator supplying all of your electricity, but still use your city or county’s sewage infrastructure. Or, you can use a pump or a well for water but still hook your home up to the municipal supply, should the well run dry.

Some who live partially off the grid may also choose to grow much of their own food, but may not commit to maintaining a full, self-sufficient homestead.

Living in a modern way of the grid is the least severe version. As in, you’re still mostly using conventional grid technology, but have elements that allow you some alternatives and a minimal degree of self-sufficiency.

While this can cost the most in terms of utilities compared to “roughing it” and partial living, it may be more affordable than completely relying on outside sources of electricity, water and sewage. Some may choose to have a garden or raise chickens for their sources of food.

Like partial off-grid living, this degree of self-sufficiency is flexible depending on your needs and preferences. For instance, you rely partially on solar panels for electricity, using  your local municipality’s electrical grid just at night. Or you have a heat pump for heating and cooling your home, but do have a furnace as a backup for low-temperature days. Or you have a septic tank for your bathroom, but maintain a sewage line too.

If you want to get off the grid, here are some guidelines for your house-hunting list, depending on how self-sufficient you want to be.

Your home’s locale will depend on the degree to which you want to live off the grid. If you’re choosing to live partially off-grid, you may be able to get away with living in a suburban area or more of an ex-urban area. However, if you want to completely rough it, then you’ll need to plan for finding a real rural patch of land and building your own house, or finding one — perhaps a converted barn — in a bucolic area.

There are several sources of alternative energy you can harness, depending on location and how much you want to rough it:

If you want your own source of water, you may have to drill a well and find a way to get the running water to your house. Or, you can set up large rainwater catchments, or take advantage of a stream nearby.

Don’t forget to consider the type of septic system you want, or whether you’re fine with using an outhouse.

Though going off the grid may be a good lifestyle choice, there are several downsides, including:

While a fully self-sustainable life may be impractical, partially living off the grid can certainly be done, and homes set up for it are available in increasing numbers.  Try to find a realtor or real estate agent who specializes in green or eco-friendly homes. They can steer you to the right regions, help you navigate the legalities of those markets and figure out just how grid-free you want to be.

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