Raw Land vs Improved Land

[Kathy]

The prices of raw vs improved land makes purchasing raw land very attractive.

Something to consider is what is the cost of improvements.
Check these out before signing on the dotted line to know the true cost of your 'cheap' land.

What will it cost to drill a well or hook up to the water supply?
Does the county have septic regulations-such as no composting toilets or mound systems only?
Can you get grid power without a functioning sewage system?
How much will it cost to install a solar/wind system if you're planning on being off grid.
Are there any restrictions as to types of housing such as minimum square footage or no mobile homes?
Can you live in a travel trailer or motor home while saving for improvements?

[auntieemu]

Also, how close are neighbors, who owns the land around you and what is it used for. If you have just a few acres and it is sitting in the middle of crop land, you may have to deal with crop dusters and pesticide drift. If the land surrounding you is wooded, who owns it and is it likely to remain wooded or logged? Will hunters be a problem?

[dlangland]

auntieemu said:

Also, how close are neighbors, who owns the land around you and what is it used for. If you have just a few acres and it is sitting in the middle of crop land, you may have to deal with crop dusters and pesticide drift. If the land surrounding you is wooded, who owns it and is it likely to remain wooded or logged? Will hunters be a problem?

Very true, Auntie. Locals, I always found are fairly easy to get along with, and have always bent over backwards to work with me and respect my wishes. Don't EVER buy a farm across the road from a big-wig out-of-state owner who no one ever has met in person, not even the already existing local farmers... doesn't have any regard for what is even happening on his land, much less the effect of what takes place on your property...Just brings in the massive planting/harvest equipment crews and crop sprayers...Then, leases the land to every jolly out-of-state hunter, the type in SD that run their dogs down and they end up dying....Then, each yr. they start shooting off their vehicles toward my property from the road, so I had to keep my animals in the barn and the girls in the house. It was not funny. That is the main reason I sold my last farm after fighting for 4 yrs. I knew it was a loosing battle. Don't ask, or I will get too worked up. That is why I am so enjoying this latest place. No one bothers me, my land is only surrounded by one local farmer who actually takes time to speak to me. Deb