First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

[BadJuju]

Anyone have tips for a guy that wants to buy land in another state? It probably sounds ridiculous, but I really do not want to live in the South any longer and feel compelled to make my way north to New England. I am in the market for undeveloped, rural land. And it is my intention to build a small home of no more than 300 sq ft there.

If anyone here has experience with this subject, please chime in and offer up some advice.

[cjppjc]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

First off, 300 square feet is too small. Pick an area in a state you would feel comfortable relocating in. See if you can find employment there. Once employment is established you can begin your search. Do lots of rerearch on a fair price.

There are many costs you have not considered.

1) Before closing on the land you must make sure a septic system can be designed. $
2) Permits for foundations, well and septic $
3) Installation of foundation, septic and well $$$
4) Now you are ready to build $$$$$$

It's not an easy process for those who do it for a living. For someone who never has done it, almost impossible with all the various ways to run into trouble with permits and building codes. Not to mention the costs.

You would be better off finding a rustic cabin in the woods and fixing it up over time.

[BadJuju]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

Ah, my old friend, cjppjc! Thank you for your reply to the thread.

I must disagree with you on the issue of size. 300 sq ft is more than ample enough for my needs, and may even be too much. Your advice on finding employment first is duly noted and will be heeded.

1: A septic system will be unnecessary, at least for a year or two, as I will rely upon composting; however, a percolation test will be in order to be certain that one will be feasible in the future. Sacrifices will have to be made, and I can certainly deal with composting.

Thanks again for the post! Feel free to add more. I appreciate it.

[cjppjc]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

I still think 300 sq feet is too small. Needs can change. If you are not worried about a septic than my suggestion about an older cabin might serve you well. It will help with some of the more expensive and trickier to navigate things that come up if you are building on raw land. In some rural areas there are plenty of cabins that fit that profile. Some are on great pieces of property. Some of the oldest homes are on the best pieces of property in America.

Also once you have established the area you want. Work with an real estate agent and tell them you would rather have something that has no working spetic. The price will be lower.

[BadJuju]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

The great thing about starting small is that if my needs change, I can just expand. Although I do not anticipate that occurring, it is still an option. I will think about looking for a property with an older cabin, but the idea of custom building a place to my specifications is certainly more enticing. But I will do what it takes!

I will, sir!

At this point, I am aiming for either Vermont or New Hampshire as they both seem to conform to what I want out of the place I live.

[cjppjc]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

The great thing about starting small is that if my needs change, I can just expand. Although I do not anticipate that occurring, it is still an option. I will think about looking for a property with an older cabin, but the idea of custom building a place to my specifications is certainly more enticing. But I will do what it takes!

I will, sir!

At this point, I am aiming for either Vermont or New Hampshire as they both seem to conform to what I want out of the place I live.

I have no doubt you will do what it takes.;)

[ggirod]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

Advice from somebody who has been there, done that, bought land 450 miles away, might as well have been in another state ...

First, if you EVER want a septic system, do a perc test as per the state/county requirements before you buy, and then .. ASAP get the permit and put in the septic system. To control development, counties/states tighten septic rules as a means of controlling growth. In the one year between the perc test and my permit, the state changed the septic rules to require that not only did I have to have a good spot defined, but I also had to have a second spot in case the first spot clogged up in a few decades... I was really conservative when laying out the first spot so was able to move it a bit and accomodate a second spot. I count it as luck - you need to be careful and not wait too long or things could get worse.

Second, be sure that neighbors have practical wells that work well.

Third, find out what electric hookup costs.

Fourth - make sure the road by the land is a year around and not seasonal road (not plowed in the winter).

Then, go to it ... 300 square feet is a great start, just plan your next expansion before you start the first construction so you don't paint yourself in a proverbial corner.

Searching for land on the internet is a good approach, then you need to travel there to look at candidate parcels. I lucked out again, had 6 parcels in my first batch and fell in love with one of the parcels. You may need to do several trips to evaluate land ...

[BadJuju]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

Thanks a lot for the reply! I will definitely look into those issues as I proceed forward with this. I am waiting a year or two to make the big move, so that will give me plenty of time to get to know what I need to know.

ggirod at his place:

[c1ue]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

This is a good time for getting permits, also builders are largely underemployed.

I'm not sure where in Tennessee you're from, but you might want to spend some time considering the climate differences in New England.

Particularly for rural undeveloped land - I know from experience in New Hampshire that all year road access can be a big issue.

Similarly unless you go the generator route, having electricity routed to your parcel is non-trivial in NH.

Work in NH is also problematic. Especially in the southern part, many people work in Taxachussetts, but the rise in gasoline prices is making this choice less beneficial. Rural NH is REALLY rural.

On the plus side, you might consider getting a parcel with a sugar maple or two on it. Free sweets

[ggirod]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

ggirod at his place:

That picture is closer than you could ever know

[Slimprofits]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

Are you mentally prepared for this, from at least December 1st through the end of March and maybe into April?

Especially if you are going rural and hence away from the coast, you will feel the freeze in New Hampshire.



If so, welcome to New England!

[BadJuju]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

This is a good time for getting permits, also builders are largely underemployed.

That is why I am worried about striking while the iron is hot. This is a great time to take a dip into real estate, and I worry that it will become increasingly more difficult as the years pass.

Thanks for the information regarding New Hampshire living. I am sure it will be similar in Vermont as well, but I need to do more research. The fact is, NH and Vermont, from what I have read, really do conform to what I want out of where I live.

As for work, I intend upon being an electrician and eventually an electrical contractor. So although I am looking for a nice rural place, I want for it to be close enough to a city that I would be able to prosper in my work. And there are social reasons, too. To say the least, it is not going to be an easy search, I imagine. But hey, at least the times are good for finding cheap land. :cool:'

Thanks for your reply.

[BadJuju]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

If so, welcome to New England!

To tell you the truth, I abhor the heat of the South. With cold, you can just slide on more clothes and turn up the heat. But with heat, you are limited in your options for countering it. So while it may not be perfect, I think it would be a welcome change from the sweltering heat of the South.

[WildspitzE]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

Be sure to diligence your neighbors/surrounding community ad nauseam.

As much as people like to believe it, no man is an island -- especially when the SHTF.

[Slimprofits]

Re: First Time Land Buyer: Buying Land in Another State

And coming up from the South, our humid summers will probably seem pleasant to you Badjuju.