Work Your Way Down This Checklist When Looking At Rural Homes For Sale
There are certain things you should pay attention to when looking at any home for sale, in any location. The condition of the HVAC system, the age of the plumbing, and the home's overall layout are just a few of the things on this list. When you look at a home for sale in a rural area, though, there are some more specific things to examine and consider. Work your way down this checklist to make sure you don't overlook anything.
1. Septic or Sewer
Many rural homes are on a septic system because the public sewer systems do not reach out that far from the nearest town. There's nothing wrong with this, but if the home has a septic tank, you will want to have it inspected before you buy the house to ensure there are no leaks or blockages.
2. Heating Fuel
Sometimes natural gas is not available in rural areas. The home's heating system may burn propane, oil, wood, or even wood pellets. Make sure you're comfortable with the fuel source. Oil can be expensive and polluting, so many buyers steer towards homes with propane or pellet heating systems.
3. Property Lines
Make sure you have a clear understanding of where the property lines are. They can be rather non-distinct out in the country where neighbors share land and don't put up fences. You don't want to buy a home thinking you'll own a certain part of the property, only to later learn that land belongs to the neighbors.
4. Distance to Amenities
In the country, it is easy to get excited about how quiet and remote a piece of property is — and then, after you move in, realize driving 45 minutes to the grocery store is more inconvenient than you expected. Make sure you research how far the home is from basic amenities, and make sure that distance is one you're willing and able to travel.
5. Condition of Outbuildings
Many rural homes have outbuildings. Even if you do not plan on using them, make sure you examine their condition. If the outbuilding is too run down, you may be required to remove it before the homeowners' insurance company will give you coverage, or before the bank will give you a loan.
If you check for these things when looking at rural homes, you are more likely to end up buying a house that truly fills your needs with no surprises.
When you think of real estate, what comes to mind? Most people initially think of homes, and indeed, private residences to comprise a pretty big portion of the real estate market. However, empty lots, office buildings, and commercial buildings are also considered real estate. When shopping for any type of land or property, you need to ensure the real estate agent you hire has expertise in the particular type of property you want to buy. For instance, you don't want to hire a commercial real estate agent to help you buy a home. Learn more about the intricacies of real estate on this blog.