Three Things You Should Definitely Check For When Buying Your First Home In The Country
Posted on: 29 August 2017
Moving into the country can be a very welcome change if you've been living your life in the bustling city or suburbs. But when hunting for that perfect first country home, there are a few things you should pay attention to. These issues are unique to country homes -- you may not have had to worry about them when you bought your last home in a more populated area.
Is the septic system in good shape?
Most homes in the country are on septic systems. Instead of waste water emptying into a public sewer system, it gets dealt with by a septic tank on your own property. If the septic tank is not in good shape, you may need to replace it or face sewage overflows -- which is not a cheap or healthy endeavor! So, always have your home inspector look over the septic system before you buy a country home, and if they think the tank needs any maintenance, have the homeowner take care of it before you agree to purchase the home.
Are neighbors using any of the land?
In the country where people often own more land than they need or use, it's common to allow neighbors to use the land -- sometimes to plant hay, let their animals graze, or ride their 4-wheelers. Before you buy a home, ask the current owners and their realtor whether anyone else is using the land. If they are, you will need to reach out to these people, let them know that you are the new owner of the land, and re-establish whatever agreement you want regarding their use of the land. You can surely let them continue to use it if you feel comfortable doing so, but don't feel obligated -- you can ask them to stop since it is your land.
Where are the property lines?
When your lot consists of many acres, it's easy to slowly lose track of exactly where the borders are. Even the current homeowner may not be certain where their land stops and the neighbor's land starts. To find out where the property lines truly are, you'll need to have the land surveyed. This way, you will know exactly what trees are yours to maintain (or remove) and where you're allowed to place a fence or pasture.
If you check for the factors above, you should have a better result when you buy a house in the country.
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