Financing for small-scale farm living
HOBBY FARM FINANCING
WITH JOE BAYER, JR.
Plant the Seeds of Your Hobby Farm Dream
Dreaming of fresh eggs, room for horses, open land, or a place your family can truly spread out? Joe Bayer, Jr. specializes in helping buyers finance hobby farms, acreage properties, and rural homes with flexibility and confidence.
Program Highlights:
- Loan amounts from $100,000 to $2 million
- Primary residences and second homes eligible
- Purchase, rate/term, or cash-out refinance
- Fixed-rate options: 15 or 30-year
- 15% down for most occupancy/loan amounts (85% LTV equivalent)
- 5% additional equity allowed through a second lien (95% CLTV equivalent)
Start Your Hobby Farm Pre-Approval
what is a hobby farm loan?
A Hobby Farm Loan is designed for people who want land and lifestyle freedom without needing a full commercial farming operation.
Perfect for properties with:
- Gardens or orchards
- Chickens, goats, horses, or small livestock
- Room for barns, outbuildings, or equipment
- Families wanting open land and space
What qualifies:
- Hobby-style farms
- Homes in good, livable condition
- Active utilities
- Manufactured homes (doublewide or larger) may qualify
- Unique or rural homes evaluated case by case
See If Your Property Qualifies
Who This Program Is Perfect For
This program is built for homebuyers who want acreage without the restrictions of traditional suburban financing:
- Buyers wanting land with room to expand
- Families who want space for gardens, animals, or horses
- Those seeking a more rural or homestead-centric lifestyle
- Buyers moving out of dense areas and into space & privacy
Talk to Joe About Your Goals
Why This Hobby Farm Program Is Different
Joe Bayer, Jr.’s Hobby Farm Loan Program is designed specifically for acreage buyers, offering a flexible and realistic approach.
With this program, buyers can finance properties with:
✓ Large acreage — 5+ acres and more
✓ Agricultural features without being a commercial operation
✓ Outbuildings such as barns, shops, and stables
✓ Unique or rural properties evaluated case-by-case
✓ Even manufactured homes (doublewide+) that meet guidelines
Instead of forcing rural buyers into urban loan standards, this program supports the lifestyle you’re actually buying.
Start Your Hobby Farm Pre-Approval Today!
Why Traditional Financing Falls Short
for Hobby Farm Buyers?
Too Much Acreage
Conventional and government programs typically restrict:
- Total acreage allowed
- How much of that acreage contributes to value
- Properties where the land is a significant part of the overall purchase price
Buyers wanting 5, 10, 20+ acres often find that the property simply won’t qualify — regardless of their credit or income.
Too Many Outbuildings
Standard guidelines limit or discourage:
- Barns
- Pole barns
- Riding arenas
- Workshops
- Equipment buildings
- Additional structures used for hobby or ag purposes
Even if these buildings are well-maintained and add value for the buyer, traditional lenders often view them as non-essential and will not allow them to influence value or eligibility.
Agricultural or Hobby Use Restrictions
- Small-scale livestock
- Stall barns or paddocks
- Gardens or orchards
- Hay fields
- Cultivated acreage
- Any amount of income-producing agricultural activity
Property Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Property Features:
- Hobby-in-nature operations (not full commercial farms)
- Five acres or more, OR proof of $5,000 in annual agricultural income if under 5 acres
- Homes in good, livable condition
- Unique or rural homes considered individually
- Manufactured homes (doublewide+) may be eligible
Why Buyers Choose Joe Bayer
Joe Bayer Jr.. is a seasoned mortgage leader with a long track record of industry influence and advocacy. Since entering the mortgage business in 2011, he has become a respected voice in shaping lending standards across Missouri and beyond.
Notable leadership milestones include:
- 2018: President, Mortgage Bankers Association of St. Louis
- 2021: Appointed by Governor Mike Parson to the Missouri Residential Mortgage Board
- 2023: Chairman, Mortgage Bankers Association of Missouri
Today, Joe serves as a Producing Regional Manager at Supreme Lending, bringing his deep industry expertise and passion for helping buyers successfully finance unique and rural properties.
From Fresh Eggs to Wide-Open Fields
Whether you’re growing a garden, raising animals, or seeking a peaceful retreat from the bustle of everyday life, Joe can help you secure the financing to make it happen.
Your dream property is closer than you think.