Farms & Ranches

When buying a property that is considered a Farm or Ranch you definitely should do some major research on the property as the land itself has a great many possible problems that could pop up at a later date that will negatively affect the re sale value. These possible problems may not be superficial and may not be seen on a regular viewing of the property. In other words, just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean that it is not there. Some of the things that should be researched are:

• Pipelines and the restricted zones that come with them. This is referred to as easements, including County restrictions on building or construction etc.
• Water courses, streams, creeks and rivers are sometimes a major property asset but can be a detriment in some years depending on location and proximity to the buildings.
• Yard site history is now a big concern since the environmental issues have become a huge concern to the general public and the buyer. Pollution of the soil is at the top of the list as well as the history of any abandoned water wells that have not been properly decommissioned. Fuel, chemical,fertilizer and even manure pollution are concerns that need to be investigated and dealt with.
• Underground electric lines are also on the list, as they will restrict the possibilities of expansion and also propose a possible safety risk.
• Grain farms should have a detailed chemical/fertilizer usage documentation available at least 5 years prior to purchase date for obvious reasons.
• County right of ways should be considered
• Proximity of any intensive livestock operation in the area should be considered as future water issues can arise as well as the general noise/smell can be a problem. Ranches may or may not have water rights, and this is very important information as livestock use massive amounts or water on a daily basis.
• Soil type is a deciding factor on what the property is worth and what it will support for livestock or produce for grains etc.

There are a lot of things that should be considered when considering a Rural Property and an educated choice of a Realtor with experience in this area is a MUST. Country living is a lot different than city living and you should be aware of all the surprises that may or may not pop up over the years. There are numerous reasons that people chose to live in a country style environment and there are a lot of benefits to this life style but there are also another set of rules that usually apply. Due Diligence is a must. You need to ask a lot of questions but you have to know what questions to ask. Choose an Experienced Realtor.