| Almost anyone can become a rural property | | | | wealthy, that is a different matter. There |
| owner; if you are willing to set goals, | | | | are some lovely farms on the cliffs |
| establish what your purposes are, plan ahead | | | | overlooking the Pacific near Carmel |
| and set targets that are all aligned toward | | | | California; where the movie stars reside and |
| the same result. And, if you can be patient | | | | if you can find a hundred acre farm you may |
| instead of requiring instant | | | | be able to get it for a hundred million |
| gratification.There is no more $50-an-acre | | | | dollars or so, plus the value of |
| land; unless you count some of the | | | | improvements. That is about what you can |
| inaccessible and unusable properties that are | | | | expect to pay for acreage near Rehoboth also; |
| sometimes available in blocks of 10,000 acres | | | | and it's a little easier to find. The farther |
| or more; and even these properties are rare. | | | | you go away from the "ideal" locations the |
| But you can get rural properties more | | | | fewer people are looking to purchase it and |
| reasonably now than in the past IF you are | | | | the lower the price is. An interesting |
| willing to be creative in your expectations | | | | anecdote here; I had a couple come to me a |
| and in the ways you use and modify the | | | | few years ago looking to purchase a hundred |
| property.If you are in a big hurry to find | | | | acres or so on the oceanfront near Rehoboth, |
| rural property, you will likely not be able | | | | for horses; they could easily afford the |
| to find what you are looking for. Rural | | | | price of a million an acre or so, but they |
| properties have fewer buyers who want to | | | | ended up purchasing land twenty minutes |
| purchase them, but there are plenty of | | | | inland after they did more reasonable |
| dreamers who have not considered the | | | | research.Before you go out looking for |
| realities. There are seldom bargains | | | | property, sit down with paper and pencil and |
| available because most folks who own rural | | | | any partners or family that will be involved. |
| properties know exactly who to call first | | | | You may find numerous surprises when you all |
| when they want to sell. If the property | | | | start writing down importances, desires, and |
| really is a bargain it is gone with one of | | | | things not wanted. It is most important that |
| the first ten phone calls the seller makes. | | | | you know what you must have, and what you can |
| However, if you are willing to "think outside | | | | do without. Make a list of the features you |
| the box" of convention you may end up with | | | | feel an area MUST have in order for you to |
| what is a bargain property for you.Twenty and | | | | consider relocating there. This might include |
| thirty years ago thousands of folks bought | | | | things like climate (and, thus, growing |
| into the "live on a farm and make a fortune" | | | | season), being within a certain radius of a |
| dream of owning a chicken house, home and | | | | population center (or maybe a certain |
| acreage in Sussex County Delaware -- the | | | | distance AWAY from one), and availability of |
| chicken capital of the world -- where there | | | | certain facilities or services. Being within |
| are several million chickens for every person | | | | 20 miles of an airport or hospital may not |
| who lives here. For a short while it was | | | | matter to one family, but could be of vital |
| possible to take the "contract" from a | | | | importance to another.The most important item |
| chicken plant to the bank and with only that | | | | on this list is consideration of the social |
| as collateral, get a loan for about 10 acres, | | | | and economic climate of the area, and how you |
| a home and at least one chicken house. Many | | | | will fit into it. Even if you're |
| folks soon discovered that the so called | | | | independently wealthy, the economic |
| contract had fine print and clauses that were | | | | circumstances of an area can affect how you |
| all in favor of the chicken plant and none in | | | | will fit into it. Will a well-heeled but |
| favor of the chicken grower. Soon most | | | | bored-with-society person be able to move |
| chicken growers were working full time to | | | | into an economic Appalachia and truly find |
| help support the chicken business they had | | | | contentment? Perhaps, but first consider the |
| bought, along with it's mortgage of $200,000 | | | | "necessities" of the life you'll be leaving. |
| or more, sometimes much more.Now when I | | | | Do you need to regularly attend the symphony |
| appraise a chicken farm with house and | | | | or visit a high-quality library? Is high |
| acreage I appraise the working chicken farm | | | | quality clothing shopping or other shopping |
| at zero -- and that is really too high a | | | | important to you?MAKING A REASONABLE INCOME |
| value in some cases. There are lots of | | | | AND LEARNING ABOUT RURAL IMPORTANCES: IS |
| easier, better smelling and cleaner jobs you | | | | PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF LEARNING |
| can purchase with $200,000 or so. If you want | | | | TO LIVE IN THE STICKS.Those of us who aren't |
| to make a living growing chickens you should | | | | independently wealthy need to consider some |
| prepare to spend at least a million dollars, | | | | means of supporting ourselves in our new |
| you can finance it of course, and get several | | | | surroundings. "Living off the land" is |
| chicken houses built around your home on 15 | | | | certainly NOT all it's cracked up to be, and |
| to 20 acres, if you don't mind the smell, and | | | | isn't even legal unless you become a |
| then the best bet is to lease the business to | | | | vegetarian; year around hunting for meat is |
| someone who is running 20 or thirty chicken | | | | illegal everywhere. Even gardening or |
| houses at least.There are some sensible | | | | collecting wild edibles is not legal either, |
| things you can do in contemplation of moving | | | | if you try to do it on public land.Before |
| to and living in the country. First among | | | | moving to the country... One of the important |
| those is to start by renting a small home in | | | | questions to ask (and find out for sure the |
| the area you want to live -- and either move | | | | answer) is; "Does the area have a large |
| there or at least visit there often enough to | | | | enough population base to give a person a |
| get to know the area. If you already live | | | | good shot at finding a job? Another is; "Does |
| close enough to drive to your dream area | | | | it have a diversified economy? Many |
| daily, start doing that and start frequenting | | | | communities seem to have good employment |
| the shops, churches and restaurants there. | | | | opportunities, but on closer inspection they |
| Stop at yard sales and to check into cars, | | | | all turn out to be based on the same |
| trucks and equipment that is for sale in | | | | industry, such as recreation, chickens, |
| people's front yards. Be honest, tell them | | | | fishing camps, skiing, ocean swimming and |
| you are planning to move into the area and | | | | water sports, timber or mining or farming. If |
| want to learn about your neighbors and only | | | | the bottom falls out of a single industry, or |
| stop to shop if you are really interested in | | | | suddenly there is no snow or the water |
| what they have for sale and are willing to | | | | becomes polluted and is posted against use... |
| purchase it at your price. Rural folk have a | | | | as folks from many towns can attest has |
| built in truth-detector and it is usually | | | | happened, the economy of the entire area |
| accurate. Don't try to BS them or your | | | | falls apart -- FAST... to fast to get out |
| reputation will precede any other data about | | | | with your investment.If an area's economy is |
| you.I suggest that you can subscribe to a | | | | primarily based on tourism, such as ours in |
| good magazine on rural living, or two or | | | | the Rehoboth, Lewes, Dewey, Bethany, Fenwick |
| three. One of the best to begin with is | | | | area, there may be many jobs available in the |
| Backwoods Home Magazine; Start by visiting | | | | service sector (motels, restaurants, etc.) |
| and reading EVERYTHING on line, then get a | | | | But most of these jobs pay very low wages, |
| subscription, then purchase ALL of the back | | | | and often these jobs are seasonal. Land |
| issues which are bound into soft cover | | | | prices tend to be inflated in many resort |
| books.If you yearn for the simple life of old | | | | areas, and ours more so than most.I was |
| fashioned living, in a log home for instance, | | | | surprised a few years ago to find that the |
| and away from the downward pull of | | | | most expensive areas of California were not |
| civilization, check out: you are able to | | | | all that expensive compared to Rehoboth and |
| take your income with you, to maintain your | | | | surrounding areas.Minimum wage income is not |
| current income, and don't need a job where | | | | likely to enable a person to live comfortably |
| you are going. Then I recommend you just rent | | | | in a resort community, much less enable a |
| a place first and start spending more and | | | | person to purchase property! An extreme |
| more time in a good area as you begin to test | | | | example is the city of Aspen, Colorado. This |
| your transition resources. While renting get | | | | beautiful ski resort community is an |
| to know the people and see if you fit in with | | | | extremely expensive place to live. The local |
| them. They are not planning to change to meet | | | | fast-food restaurants have trouble getting |
| your parameters, I assure you. MOST of the | | | | employees because there is no reasonably |
| folks who come from the city to the country | | | | priced place for them to live. Some of these |
| start by trying to change the area they have | | | | businesses actually have to provide housing |
| moved to and the new neighbors, to be more | | | | in order to get employees! It is somewhat |
| like where they left. They should not have | | | | like that in Rehoboth area. As you may know, |
| left or they should get on back there -- and | | | | Grotto's Pizza, our largest employer in the |
| most of the neighbors will tell you so.If you | | | | area, at one time provided space for many of |
| move to an area as a renter and find the | | | | their employees. Now, a lot of our resort |
| people to your liking and they find you to | | | | help lives communally in "three bedrooms, |
| their liking, you have probably found the | | | | sleeps twenty) type apartments and homes. |
| right area. However, in rural areas ten miles | | | | Many more of our seasonally employed folks |
| can make a huge difference in lifestyle and | | | | are imported from Ireland and elsewhere -- |
| area ethnicity. Please don't move to a resort | | | | and come to live in dormitory style, often |
| town, like Rehoboth Beach where I work, and | | | | sleeping in shifts.If you are a computer |
| then without checking try to move into a | | | | professional, you are very fortunate as the |
| place like Oak Orchard (the little rural | | | | "Information Age" has created a class of |
| waterfront town where I live) or you will | | | | professionals who can survive in depressed |
| experience some near terminal culture shock. | | | | rural areas -- the computer entrepreneur. |
| I love where I live and the people who live | | | | With reasonably good dial-up ISP service, |
| here but hopefully not one of them thinks | | | | perhaps a cable modem (in Millsboro and some |
| that I have some intention of changing the | | | | areas of southern Sussex County) a cell |
| way they live here!Once you have zeroed in on | | | | phone, computer, printer, modems and fax, |
| an area and visited it many dozen times or | | | | people can now roam across the country and |
| better yet rented a place there and started | | | | the world by phone and the Internet. Some |
| living there for short stays; I suggest that | | | | folks, and this is a fast growing segment of |
| you start joining various groups and | | | | our buyers, can either work at home for a |
| organizations as a part-time member and let | | | | distant company (perhaps commuting once a |
| them know that you are not full time yet, but | | | | week or once a month or even in the case of |
| hope to be. They help. Don't try to instruct | | | | one of my clients twice a week) or create a |
| them or help them do what they are already | | | | new business as a consultant, doing the same |
| doing better; just try to help them on their | | | | job for the same company they are currently |
| own terms. You need to learn the rules of | | | | employed by. With a business card and digital |
| this new game, it's their game and their | | | | tools one can appear to have a large |
| community. At most you will be a welcome | | | | conventional business, albeit a laptop and |
| member of the community. You will never be | | | | other portable digital tools, and it can be |
| the equal to those who have four or ten or | | | | quite profitable.Computer-based businesses |
| thirty generations of family buried and | | | | are ideally suited for rural living. They are |
| established there. For instance in our area | | | | becoming increasingly more important as a |
| those who have only been here for sixty years | | | | means of breaking loose from the grind of |
| are still not considered "from here" by those | | | | commuting to work in big cities that are fast |
| who have been here since the 1500s or soon | | | | becoming too dangerous to live in. If you're |
| after.Once you have looked at several dozen | | | | not yet into computers, you'll have to |
| properties that interest you, and that may | | | | consider whether you have a skill that's |
| take a year or two or more; you will begin to | | | | marketable in the area you're interested |
| appreciate different micro-cultures in the | | | | in.Make sure the place you choose (a) has a |
| area. You will begin to notice differences in | | | | use for that skill, and (b) isn't saturated |
| soils, roads, well water, septic system | | | | with unemployed people who have the same |
| functionality and road access; not to mention | | | | skill. One of my best friends is a fabulous |
| the differences in governmental rules and | | | | carpenter, home builder, cabinet maker, and |
| enforcement of same. Each time you find the | | | | skilled in many other fields such as welding, |
| perfect property; put a contract on it | | | | auto mechanics, gunsmithing to some degree |
| "pending research and discovery" and during | | | | and perhaps a couple of dozen more marketable |
| that time check the neighbors and | | | | skills. He moved to a rural area of Virginia |
| professionals about the property. You should | | | | to his dream home on over a hundred acres and |
| check the neighbors first, lots of them, they | | | | his income plummeted. He is back here now and |
| already know everything the professionals are | | | | I'm glad he is even though I don't see him |
| going to charge you to tell you.Hopefully by | | | | very often; it's just pleasant to drive by |
| the second or third property you put a | | | | his business and know he's back in the |
| contract and deposit on; you will have the | | | | neighborhood.Please, please, please... before |
| one that is right for you. Remember, if the | | | | you move to an new rural area; subscribe to |
| property is a bargain price, you have missed | | | | the nearest newspaper for the area you are |
| something in almost every case. What you need | | | | considering and read the economic and |
| to do is figure out how it is a bargain for | | | | community sections as well as the help wanted |
| you; because you have an unusual use, | | | | ads. If there is a skimpy "help wanted" |
| ability, or way to change the property easily | | | | section in the local paper... beware. On the |
| to suit your needs.Buy through a Realtor if | | | | other hand, could this "depressing" state of |
| at all possible. Sign a buyers agent | | | | affairs regarding employment news probably |
| agreement with your agent so that his | | | | means that real estate is bargain priced in |
| allegiance is to you -- otherwise, by law his | | | | that area?OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER |
| allegiance is ONLY to the seller and by law, | | | | |
| you are in an adversarial position to the | | | | What about your health and age? Do you now |
| seller and the Realtor. With a buyer's agent | | | | or do you expect to have frequent need for |
| agreement signed, your agent is now on your | | | | the type of medical services mostly found in |
| side, by law, and is an opponent of the | | | | large cities? |
| seller and the seller's agent. Ask your agent | | | | |
| then to provide you with all the comparable | | | | Although they're necessary, think seriously |
| sales data from the multi-listing service if | | | | about staying at least 25 miles away from the |
| there is one. If not hire an appraiser, once | | | | nearest freeway system. These "conduits of |
| you have the property under contract, (make | | | | crime" that cross the country not only carry |
| the contract contingent upon a satisfactory | | | | law-abiding citizens but solitary criminals |
| appraisal) and pay to have the price | | | | and gangs as well. The gangs and other thugs |
| evaluated. If you have contracted for too | | | | tend to use the corridor towns in proximity |
| high a price, renegotiate the contract; if | | | | of the freeways as their "banks" and they |
| you find you have a real bargain; you of | | | | excel in "withdrawals on the run." One small |
| course double check with your agent and the | | | | town the writers lived in was only a few |
| appraiser to find out why. It may be that the | | | | miles from a freeway exit. One night, two men |
| reason for it's "reasonable" price the reason | | | | left the freeway, robbed a motel and got back |
| that keeps it from selling is not that | | | | on the freeway a short time later. They were |
| important to you -- and you do have a | | | | never caught. Imagine what these corridors |
| bargain.Possibly your employer or the | | | | may become as our cities and suburbs continue |
| consulting work or your self employment | | | | to deteriorate!WHEN YOU FIND AN AREA YOU LIKE |
| activities may allow you to telecommute. But | | | | . . . |
| if you can't telecommute to maintain your | | | | |
| current income; before buying in an area, | | | | Once you've decided generally where you'd |
| find out if you have a marketable skill, one | | | | like to relocate, visit it several times, |
| which is in demand in that particular region. | | | | preferably at different times of the year. |
| This will give you some assurance that you | | | | Learn which areas are desirable and which |
| will not become a financial fatality. Most of | | | | have problems. Check for flood plains, areas |
| the folks who move to rural communities, | | | | with access problems, water problems (not |
| without checking into how they will make | | | | enough, too much or poor quality), noise |
| money in the new location, have to sell their | | | | problems (yes, even rural areas can have |
| property at a loss within 5 years, due to | | | | noisy spots), or other problems peculiar to a |
| lack of income.If you are retired, be certain | | | | given area. Some rural "neighborhoods" have |
| that hospitals, doctors, stores, restaurants, | | | | earned a bad reputation. Find out why before |
| etc. are suitable for you in the new location | | | | buying there. If the price seems too good to |
| -- or be very certain that you will be able | | | | be true, maybe somebody's trying to unload a |
| to comfortably reside in the new area | | | | problem.If you're looking for undeveloped |
| regardless.Some of us are not be able to save | | | | land on which to build your retreat, find out |
| enough money for a cash purchase of our rural | | | | about the water tables: depth, quality, and |
| dream property before we reach retirement | | | | reliability. Find out what it costs to drill |
| age. It is however likely that we can provide | | | | a well to the necessary depth for that area. |
| a small sum for a down payment, and we're | | | | Water should be one of the most important |
| reasonably certain that we can market our | | | | considerations in any land purchase. In |
| skills locally to meet payments and put bread | | | | Sussex County we are fortunate that we have |
| on the table (but please don't just guess | | | | generally good water (no matter what the |
| about this, check it out).Even if you find | | | | press and Pseudo-envoronmentalists say) and |
| small acreage (10 to 50 acres) for $5,000 or | | | | wells are relatively cheap to drill.Find out |
| less per acre that has good soil, good water | | | | the proximity of utilities and costs to bring |
| available and a good prospect for an | | | | them in and hook them up, if they're not |
| inexpensive, workable septic system -- many | | | | already in place. In some areas, costs to |
| banks and mortgage companies are not | | | | hook up to the power lines grid are |
| optimistic about financing raw land. BUT, | | | | prohibitive. Some of those same areas may not |
| seller financing is often a alternative and | | | | be conducive to an inexpensive well or septic |
| easily structured method of purchasing raw | | | | either. BUT that can be an advantage if you |
| land. In fact it is not unusual to get | | | | are able to think outside of the norm. For |
| twenty, thirty or even forty year financing | | | | instance our Fowler's Beach property is not |
| at 10% or less interest -- from the seller. | | | | conducive to running electric wires, getting |
| Of course, in order to build on the property, | | | | good water from a shallow well or building |
| you will normally have to pay off the | | | | and inexpensive sewer system. As a result you |
| seller's mortgage with your home financing | | | | can get waterfront acreage for little money |
| loan. Any of the money you have paid on the | | | | on a private beach and the cost of electric, |
| price of the land, down payment as well as | | | | water and sewer when added to the cost of the |
| principle payments during your ownership | | | | property is minuscule!Once you've narrowed |
| period, and any appreciation of the land | | | | your search to a few areas within your target |
| value will be considered as part of your down | | | | community, look at several properties! |
| payment on your home owners loan.Be careful | | | | Realtors such as ourselves, can be a big |
| to set your payments so that you can afford | | | | help, not only by showing you individual |
| the land payments along with your current | | | | properties, but by telling you about the area |
| cost of housing. You can save thousands of | | | | in general. It's not necessary to restrict |
| dollars in interest by keeping your loan to | | | | yourself to one Realtor. But as soon as |
| as short a term as possible. Also, make sure | | | | possible you should choose ONE to work with, |
| that there is no prepayment penalty on your | | | | get their allegiance and preferably sign a |
| seller financing note.You can however often | | | | buyer's agent agreement with them so that |
| purchase an existing home on acreage for a | | | | they are looking out for your best |
| lot less than the cost of acreage and | | | | interests!!! If your Realtor is too pushy for |
| building a similar home. You can also often | | | | you or isn't showing you the type of |
| rent out the property to cover part of your | | | | properties that interest you, find another |
| expense while you arrange your affairs for | | | | one; make sure you void the buyer's agent |
| your eventual relocation to rural bliss. If | | | | agreement if you have one (in writing) and |
| you are interested in purchasing a 100 acre | | | | get a Realtor who will listen to what you |
| horse farm complete with buildings, fencing, | | | | want and provide you such.And don't forget to |
| paddocks, etc. you can often save nearly 50% | | | | watch the newspapers and check out properties |
| of the reconstruction cost; but there is | | | | in your price range and area of interest |
| little market for renting such a property.If | | | | being offered for sale by owner. Sometimes |
| you find "more than five acres" with a home | | | | the best deals can be had by working with |
| and buildings that need work but are | | | | owners; and if you have a buyer's agent, the |
| structurally sound, you may save 30% to even | | | | agent can make certain that you are well |
| 60% of the reconstruction cost. Be certain in | | | | informed and protected even after you view |
| this area, Sussex County Delaware, that you | | | | the property with the seller.You will also |
| get more than five acres as five acres or | | | | need an attorney in Delaware to assist you |
| less falls into a nonagricultural zoning | | | | with the closing on the property. It is |
| classification that you may not wish to be | | | | important to know that all attorney's CAN do |
| involved with as you develop your rural | | | | real estate settlements but only a handful |
| lifestyle.Most people ask me for 20 to 30 | | | | are worth using. Attorneys specialize and |
| acres, or more. But let's take a look at | | | | only three to five of them specialize in real |
| reality here. A football field is three | | | | estate -- for the rest of them, real estate |
| quarters of one acre. Thus 5.1 acres or more | | | | settlements are awkward and no matter what |
| is a very roomy place to live acreage wise. | | | | they say... they usually make errors and |
| If you want horses however think 15 acres or | | | | those errors can be horrid.When you do find a |
| more. Each horse will need an average of 5 to | | | | property you like, don't let it blind you to |
| 9 acres depending on how you decide to raise | | | | its drawbacks. Whether or not you're working |
| the horse; that acreage is in addition to the | | | | with a Realtor, do your homework. Remember, |
| land that your home, driveway, out buildings, | | | | unless your Realtor is a buyer's agent, he or |
| garden and other non-fenced areas take in. | | | | she is working for the seller. Most Realtors |
| Many people are thinking of one, two, three | | | | will be up front with you about all your |
| or four horses for the family enjoyment; if | | | | questions, but they are also bound by |
| so they need about 3 or more acres for the | | | | contract to get the best possible price for |
| home and other human related improvements and | | | | their client, the seller. And, by law -- when |
| should figure an additional average of seven | | | | they are working for the seller there are |
| acres for each horse or pony.If you have a | | | | numerous things they may NOT divulge to you |
| dream of self-sufficiency; living off the | | | | even when they know about them.First, ask the |
| power grid, being away from it all... this is | | | | seller or Realtor all the questions you can |
| virtually impossible in reality yet most | | | | about the property. For an older dwelling, |
| prevalent when you are in the dream stage. | | | | this might include questions about the age of |
| Coming to terms with what you can | | | | the wiring and plumbing, type of foundation, |
| realistically afford and what you can | | | | and in some parts of the country, when it was |
| realistically live with before you buy can | | | | last checked for insect problems. This is |
| save you a lot of headaches later.Solar power | | | | particularly important near the beaches and |
| is far more expensive than buying electricity | | | | regarding wooded properties -- where termites |
| from the power company, wind power is | | | | are prevalent.Then talk to the neighbors. In |
| unreliable, water power is expensive and hard | | | | the rural sense, the "neighbors" are folks |
| to arrange; now I expect to get a lot of | | | | living within a five-or-so-mile radius of the |
| argument on this from those who have read all | | | | property; sometimes even more, if the |
| about it but have no real experience -- but I | | | | property is down a long road without |
| won't get any valid argument from anyone who | | | | intersections. Ask them about the area, its |
| has done it (unless they are simultaneously | | | | people, any problems with the area, and |
| trying to sell the idea to others).There are | | | | particularly if they know of any drawbacks |
| many good articles in Backwoods Home | | | | with the property you are considering |
| Magazine; but most of them leave out the | | | | purchasing. If they seem reluctant to talk to |
| initial expense, maintenance expense and | | | | you, this might be a red flag you shouldn't |
| almost always the expense of replacing worn | | | | ignore: maybe they'd like to buy the property |
| components of these so called money saving | | | | but can't afford it, or maybe they don't like |
| off-the-grid systems. You can however design | | | | outsiders buying property in their area. If |
| a passive solar home, one with most windows | | | | you run up against this in several |
| facing south west and few facing other | | | | conversations, you might have a hard time |
| directions. Most older farm houses are | | | | getting along with the neighbors. Buying -- |
| already designed like this, not all of them | | | | and holding onto -- that chunk of land, with |
| are well insulated however.Location: is | | | | or without a home and buildings on it will |
| paramount. We Realtors are wont to | | | | take creative planning, patience, and caution |
| chant"location -- location -- location" like | | | | on your part!IF YOU MUST HAVE A DEAL OR ELSE |
| a mantra. It isimportant, just learn what it | | | | . . . |
| means as location hasdifferent parameters for | | | | |
| different purposes. Location on a main road | | | | Today's expensive properties will be |
| is imperative for commercial activity; | | | | tomorrow's bargains. Don't be discouraged by |
| location near pleasant living and good jobs | | | | short term obstacles. Land prices seldom go |
| is imperative for residential property; | | | | down in the long run. Obviously, there are a |
| location regarding rural principles is a | | | | lot more things to consider when buying rural |
| matter of sometimes life and death or at | | | | land as opposed to buying a house in a city. |
| least a matter of doable and undoable for a | | | | One of them is the possible problems of |
| rural home.I suggest that the proper location | | | | buying in a "boom town" area when you don't |
| for rural living is NOT usually closest to | | | | want to be part of the boom.It is important |
| the best beach, ski slope or lake but the | | | | to consider whether your dream location will |
| more sensible location is near to a rural | | | | become less desirable as more people relocate |
| town where many or most of the locals are | | | | there. For this reason it is not uncommon for |
| living on rural acreage. In our area everyone | | | | people who move to a rural area to want to |
| wants ten to thirty acres near the beach; | | | | "close the gate" after they get there. They |
| after finding out the price, they dream about | | | | realize that if too many people move to the |
| 1 to 5 acres but seldom end up getting it and | | | | small community they have chosen, that it |
| if they do the difficulty of finding it, | | | | will eventually lose the qualities that drew |
| using it for rural purposes and enjoying it | | | | them there in the first place. Unfortunately, |
| when your neighbors complain about your | | | | people WILL find these wonderful places, no |
| rooster, tractor noise or fertilizer odors | | | | matter how hard some people try to keep them |
| will often make this semi-rural location less | | | | a secret. Some communities handle growth |
| than your dreams.If you're not rigidly set on | | | | well, others don't. Check to see what kind of |
| purchasing land in some popular or scenic | | | | planning and zoning is present in your chosen |
| wonderland, some good buys can still be found | | | | area. A community that looks ahead and plans |
| in the less "romantic" parts of the county, | | | | for growth fares much better than communities |
| particularly on the edges of small farming | | | | that keep their heads in the sand, thinking |
| communities. In Sussex County, I suggest the | | | | "it can't happen here." Growth not only can |
| south west part of the county, west of | | | | happen, it will.But short of a natural |
| Millsboro, nearer to Gumboro, Delmar, etc. | | | | disaster or a devastating man-made calamity, |
| for the best rural surroundings and lowest | | | | land won't come down in value. Buy it, use |
| prices. There are few properties available in | | | | it, live on it, improve it, and love it. Land |
| that area but even fewer buyers who have | | | | is the best investment you'll ever make, for |
| faced the reality of where rural living is | | | | yourself and posterity.Good luck in your |
| better lived.If you are independently | | | | search! |