Tucked away on Straughn School Road in Dozier, Alabama, this listing is the kind of property that stops scrollers mid-swipe. For $399,000, buyers get a 2,048 square foot, three bedroom, two bathroom home sitting on one hundred acres of established planted pine, with the kind of privacy that no subdivision can offer.
Located in Covington County, the property blends comfortable rural living with serious land value. Whether the goal is a weekend hunting retreat, a working timber investment, or a full-time homestead far from city noise, this listing checks a lot of boxes at once.
Property Features
The home was built in 2007 and brought onto the land in 2008. Inside, buyers will find hardwood flooring in the den and bedrooms, updated in 2021, along with a newer A/C unit and a fresh shingle roof, also from 2021. The layout offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms across a comfortable 2,048 square feet.
Outside, the property is built for people who actually use their land. A thirty six foot by twenty four foot metal shop with three roll up doors gives plenty of room for equipment, vehicles, or a workshop setup, and a separate three car detached garage adds even more storage and parking. The home runs on a septic tank paired with public water, and high speed internet is available on site, a detail that matters more and more for buyers who work remotely or homeschool.
The real headline, though, is the land itself. One hundred acres of wooded, sloping terrain planted in pine positions this property as both a lifestyle purchase and a long term timber asset. Gantt Lake is about ten minutes away, and Frank Jackson State Park is roughly twenty minutes out, putting fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation within easy reach.
Financing Options for a Rural Property Like This
Large acreage properties open up financing paths that typical suburban buyers rarely consider. A USDA loan is often the first option worth exploring for a home like this, since USDA financing is designed specifically for eligible rural properties and can offer zero down payment for qualifying buyers who meet income limits. Because the loan is tied to the home and a reasonable amount of surrounding land rather than the full one hundred acres as an income producing operation, buyers should confirm eligibility details with a USDA approved lender early in the process.
FHA loans remain a solid option for buyers who want a lower down payment, generally around three and a half percent, though FHA lenders will look closely at how the acreage is used and whether any outbuildings are income producing. VA loans are worth a serious look for eligible veterans and active duty buyers, since VA financing can offer zero down payment and competitive rates on rural properties that meet program guidelines.
Conventional financing is always an option for buyers with stronger credit and a larger down payment, and it tends to offer more flexibility on how the land itself is used going forward. For buyers who want to fold renovation costs into their mortgage, an FHA 203k loan can help finance updates or repairs alongside the purchase, which can be useful for a rural property where a buyer may want to modernize the shop, garage, or outbuildings after closing.
Insurance Considerations
Insuring a large rural parcel is different from insuring a standard subdivision home. Buyers should get a homeowners policy quote that accounts for the full acreage, the detached garage, and the metal shop, since outbuildings often need to be scheduled separately on the policy. It is also worth asking an agent about wildfire and timber loss coverage, given the planted pine on the property, as well as confirming whether flood insurance is required by checking the property’s FEMA flood zone status before closing.
Due Diligence Checklist
- Order a full property survey to confirm boundary lines across all one hundred acres
- Request a timber cruise or forestry appraisal to understand the value and age of the planted pine
- Have the septic system inspected and confirm it is sized appropriately for the home
- Verify the public water connection and confirm there are no outstanding utility liens
- Check for any recorded easements, right of ways, or mineral rights reservations
- Confirm current property tax classification, since large timber tracts are often taxed under current use or agricultural valuation
- Inspect the metal shop and detached garage for structural condition and confirm permits, if required
- Review flood zone status and any local building or land use restrictions in Covington County
Local Market Context
Dozier sits in Covington County, an area known for timberland, hunting leases, and a slower pace of rural living compared to Alabama’s larger metro markets. Large acreage listings like this one tend to move differently than typical residential sales, since pricing reflects both the home and the underlying land and timber value. At $399,000 for one hundred acres with a renovated home, a metal shop, and a three car garage, this property is priced to appeal to both lifestyle buyers looking for privacy and investors interested in long term timber growth.
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