Buying in Wine Country? What You Need to Know About “Toy Farms”

What’s a Toy Farm?

A “toy farm” is a charming country property that looks like a small vineyard, orchard or ranch. It might be beautiful, but it could raise red flags with underwriters due to 'money making' issues that do not fall within most banks' guideline. Ask me.

Why Lenders Flag Them

Lenders want collateral with rent income only, not from crops, it is too unpredictable. If a property is zoned ag, that may be another issue too and it may not qualify for a conventional mortgage. Ask me.

Ask Before You Buy

Not sure if the home you're eyeing qualifies? At Black Oak, we help buyers decode listings and match them with the right loan solutions — or steer clear when needed. We live here, we know the flags, and we’ll tell you the truth. Just ask.