For Megan and Scott McCreary, the appeal of their rural upbringings in Kentucky and North Carolina eventually surpassed the conveniences of city life in Richmond, Kentucky. Their desire for a self-sufficient life and ability to work remotely led them back to Megan's hometown in Jackson County. There, they found a beautiful 76-acre property featuring ponds, a creek and barns that boarders Daniel Boone National Forest.
Growing up near her grandparents' farm, Megan has a lifelong appreciation for rural living. Scott, raised on a farm in North Carolina, shared this connection. While their life in Richmond was comfortable, the couple wanted to be closer to nature.
Their journey to buy the property wasn’t without challenges. A conservation easement on the property and the need for a bridge loan, allowing them to utilize the equity from their existing home, added complexity. Megan and Scott turned to Rural 1st® Loan Officer Brandye Smith whose expertise helped overcome these obstacles. “She got us prequalified quickly so we could make a competitive offer,” Scott said. "If Brandye and Rural 1st hadn't been able to turn everything around so quickly, we may not have gotten this place."
Brandye helped the first-time buyers navigate the intricacies of the easement and secured a bridge loan so they could purchase the property before selling their previous home.
Now settled in, Scott envisions raising Black Angus cattle, fulfilling a long-held dream of working with livestock. Megan plans to develop gardens and a greenhouse to depend on their own produce as much as possible. Their acreage allows them to pursue new hobbies and the proximity to Daniel Boone National Forest offers access to outdoor adventures they already love.
Returning to Jackson County also means reconnecting with a close-knit community, including Megan's friends and family. Despite not being a local, Scott has also received a warm welcome. "I’ve gotten to know so many people," he said.
The sense of community came to life after Scott and Megan inherited an abundance of tomatoes from the property’s sellers. They set up an honor-system roadside stand and eventually donated a truckload to their local food bank. "Everybody in the community is hard working, truthful and honest," Scott said.
Megan and Scott appreciate the tranquility of their new surroundings. "The peace and quiet is worth everything," he said. “Waking up to the scenic views and sounds of nature offers a stark contrast to the stresses of urban living.” As a military veteran, the property provides Scott a therapeutic escape.
For the McCreary’s, their return to rural Kentucky was the shift they wanted for a more fulfilling lifestyle. "This is the dream," Megan said. With the support of Rural 1st, the couple is Closer to What Matters®—thriving nature and a welcoming community.
Interested in financing your own rural homestead with a bridge loan? Connect with a Rural 1st loan officer today to learn more.
