Property owners around the country are drowning, either due to rising energy costs (area-dependent), higher water prices, or, of course, the nationwide increase in property taxes (some as high as 60% since the pandemic). If you’re one of them and you have the double-whammy of having a large estate, then you may feel the pressure coming in from all angles.
While states fight for property tax reform, property owners still face the high costs. Too many families have been priced out of their homes, but selling up isn’t your only option. In 2026, it’s time to consider these top ways large property owners just like you are making the most out of their acreage in 2026 and beyond.
Build an Income-Driving Outbuilding
One of the easiest ways you can help offset those higher costs is to get your acres to start working for you. If you live near any sort of tourist destination, for example, you could look into adding a residential guesthouse on your property and renting it out on Airbnb or another property management site.
Alternatively, you could invest in a barn. Amish pole barns are sturdy, look fantastic, and are built fast and at a lower cost than other options. Once built, you can rent out space for people nearby to store their seasonal equipment, like boats or snowmobiles.
Host Retreats
Retreats are another great way that you can make use of your large property without having to sell up. If you don’t want to build anything specific to house people, look into events or retreat leaders in your area that provide single-day experiences or camping or even glamping experiences, and start from there. Working directly with the event organizers can mean bringing in income ASAP, rather than building a retreat brand of your own.
Become a Wedding Venue
If you have a beautiful property, consider renting it out as a wedding venue. All you realistically need is a barn, a lot of space, and a great view. From there, get in touch with local wedding planners and provide a list of your amenities (a dance-ready barn, a guesthouse, size of the available space, etc) and get your property listed so that you can get the ball rolling and bring in weddings.
Rent Out the Land
Renting your acreage to farmers who need more land has been an age-old practice, and no, you don’t need a huge amount of land to get started. You can rent your land for renewable energy projects and house solar or wind turbines, for example. You could copy the British practice of renting out garden allotments to nearby residents who may not have access to a garden themselves.
Become a Social Farm
There are so many ways you can make full use of your farm by directly dealing with the public. Host pick-your-own days, for example, and get people in to pick their own berries, pumpkins, or even flowers throughout the year. You can partner with local sellers and host markets, and so much more. Becoming a social enterprise that brings people together is a great way to boost your income, make use of your land, and is a beautiful way to grow your community.
