Buying land can give you that fairytale feeling of owning a large piece of property that you can enjoy however you like. Some people want to farm, others want animals, and sometimes people just don’t want to live by others.

Regardless of your reasoning for wanting acreage, one thing is for certain, buying property with a lot of land is very different than buying a residential home in a neighborhood. 

Sewage Concerns

When you purchase a home in an established neighborhood, you usually just have to switch the utilities into your name before closing. If you are purchasing in a new build development, the sewage tap has already been established and will be placed in your name, so you get the appropriate bill. 

In a rural area, it is very likely that there is no sewage tap or city water. This means you are going to have well water and a septic tank. That septic tank will need to be maintained and drained to prevent backups and spills. 

One big advantage of having well water is that it comes directly from the ground and is not treated with harsh chemicals like city water is. It typically tastes better, too. However, it is absolutely essential to have your well tested when you purchase the property to make sure it was properly drilled and maintained. 

Even beyond the well and septic tank, when you purchase rural property, you have different sewage needs. A sump pump is something that most homes either already have or need to have, especially if your home is in a low-lying area or is prone to flooding.

Sump pumps pump out any water that a basement may take on during rain or storms, or anytime water is present in your basement. Without a sump pump there is nothing that will move standing water away from your home, protecting everything inside. 

Building a Home

While old farmhouses have their charm, many people who are buying large properties intend to build their own homes. Building a home that allows you to customize everything in it is great. Knowing that you are getting exactly what you want instead of having to compromise in some areas can make you feel like everything is perfect.

And maybe it will be, but there are some big considerations before starting to build that go far beyond which building and floorplan to choose. 

If there was no previous home on the property it is likely that you will have to have the well and septic system installed. This cost can quickly add up. 

Unlike a regular neighborhood, it is important that you make sure simple service you normally take for granted will be available. Electricity and gas are two services that need to be thought out before you purchase the land to build on. If you are unable to get electricity to the property, you are not going to be able to put a home there. 

If running electricity to the property is possible, a generator is a good investment for rural properties. During bad storms or heavy snow, it is likely that your power can go out. Unfortunately, if that happens rural customers are often the last ones to have their power restored, with preference going to the areas with many customers in a small area.

Garbage should be another consideration as there are not always normal, scheduled garbage pick-up days. You may need to find a dump to take your garbage to that is in the surrounding area. Calling the garbage company to see if a route can be added to your home may be possible but can also come with a high price tag. Burning your garbage is ok for some things, but others give off harmful chemicals and it should be avoided. 

Being Able to Handle the Property

Arguably the most important consideration when you are thinking about buying property with acreage is asking yourself are you physically able to keep up the property?

The first thing most people think about when they hear keeping up a property with acreage is that is usually a lot of grass to cut. While that is often met with a smile or a short laugh, the truth is there is so much more than just grass to keep up with. That is why they made riding grass-cutting tractors, after all! And you will definitely need one of them.

But all laughing aside, maintaining acres of land can be a full-time job in itself. It can take hours to cut the property, even on a riding lawn mower. During the rainy season, or just a particularly gloomy week, grass and weed grow quickly. This could mean you are cutting the grass more than once a week. While that will certainly require a lot of time, it will also require a lot of fuel. The more miles you put on the mower, the greater the chance for breakdowns and repairs. Another added expense that is necessary to keep up your rural property.

Along with the grass is the additional landscaping. Trimming trees, weeding flower beds and keeping up with any other landscaped area can be time consuming and tough on the body. Want to outsource this chore? Expect to pay a lot! Landscapers may agree to come to your property, but it certainly won’t be cheap!

A great question to ask before purchasing the property is who maintains the roads. Again, in a suburb or city neighborhood it is usually the municipality that takes care of the roads in inclement weather like snow or bad thunderstorms. This may not be the case for rural properties.

Having to shovel an entire roadway of snow is a lot different than just shoveling your driveway, even if that driveway is long. Investing in a snow blower and snowplow will be a must. More than just the snow removal though is the ice. You will need ample amounts of salt to make sure the ice melts and you are able to drive on the snowy roadways. 

Alternatively, if there is a large storm and trees fall down blocking your lane, you will be responsible to have them moved. If they take down power lines, you can expect long delays to get them fixed. Add a chainsaw to your arsenal of tools, just in case. 

Maintaining the road alone can cost you thousands of dollars each year that you may not expect or budget for. If there are other residents on the same street, you will at least be able to split the cost. If it is totally private that will be an expense that only you will occur, and it can be quite high. 

Taking care of the property can extend beyond just the possible road work and lawn upkeep. There is the upkeep on the house and any other structure on the property. Contractors and repair men are not as common out in the country and do not always travel too far out. Being able to handle these things yourself can save a lot of time and money. 

Small Conveniences

Another thing most homeowners who move out to a rural area from a suburb or city forget about are the small conveniences that they currently have. Living on land can mean a substantial drive to the store when you’ve forgotten an ingredient for dinner, or you ran out of milk or diapers for the baby and didn’t realize until late at night. It’s no longer let me run down the street. The closest store may be half an hour away.

For those families with children, it can mean many hours spent in the car getting to activities and friend’s houses. While it is not so much of a financial concern, it can definitely be time consuming. Bus rides to school may start at very early hours of the morning in order to pick the kids up and not returning until long after the school day is finished, depending on how far away the school is from your property.

There’s Always a Bright Side

While there are many things that you need to consider when buying a property with acreage that you don’t necessarily have to worry about when purchasing or building in a neighborhood, there are also a lot of reasons why owning in a rural area can be great.

Privacy is the number one reason people want to escape to a country lifestyle. The thought of being able to do what you want, when you want it and not having to worry about your nosy neighbors always questioning what you are doing can be extremely freeing. No one is going to show up at your door unannounced because they were “in the neighborhood” and no one is going to call the homeowners association because you wanted to paint your front door red. 

Along with privacy comes freedom. If you want to have a party that goes well into the night, there will be no noise complaints or complaints from neighbors about cars parked on the street. You are able to do what you please when you please without any input.  

It is also a lot easier to make changes to your property. In a suburb or city dwelling, you need a permit for just about everything. While that still may be the case for large projects, you can usually do much more on your property without having to ask permission.

Owning acres of land also means being able to add things to your property that you may not be able to add in a neighborhood. The most common addition is an inground pool. Most neighborhood homes do not have land large enough for a pool, and if they are able to add one it is usually small and not contusive to really swimming. When you own land, having that dream pool is not an issue. Just make sure to not dig it too close to your well or septic tank!

Animals are another reason homeowners prefer to have a lot of land. Being able to let dogs run their energy out is important and is a great use of your land. On larger acreages, barns with stables and horses are very common. Chickens, goats, cows, and pigs are all common farm pets that live near homes around the globe. While the addition of these animals adds to your regularly scheduled chores and maintenance, their presence can be therapeutic.

Best of Both Worlds

Sometimes, you are hoping to buy an acre or two but still need the neighborhood feel and want to be connected to your neighbors. Many communities now sell lots for new builds that are between one and five acres.

Especially in the one-acre lots, you are still in close proximity to your neighbors while being able to be distant and retain your privacy at the same time. 

This can really be the best of both worlds if you choose a lot that you love that provides you with the space that you need. These lots are usually a lot closer to schools and stores than other large parcels of land, which can help you feel more connected as well.

Acreage Is Great

Yes, owning land with acreage can be overwhelming, time consuming, and expensive. It is certainly not for the faint of heart and not for the family who is not capable of physically maintaining the property themselves.

Being able to develop the land with the home of your dreams and accessorize the property with the amenities you want in your life is a very freeing experience. Avoiding the presence of close neighbors and enjoying the privacy of your own property can really turn your rural home into a retreat quickly.

While there are serious financial and physical considerations when you are looking to buy rural property, there is also emotional needs that should be met. If you crave that country lifestyle, then buying acreage is the right choice for you.