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Message
Thinking about buying a house on ~4 acres
Posted on 8/15/18 at 12:01 pm
Posted on 8/15/18 at 12:01 pm
I've lived in neighborhoods my whole life and have an opportunity now to purchase a nice house on 4 acres. I'd say at least an acre of that is woods, with the rest being the house and yard. Besides extra yard work, obviously, what other things should I be considering when thinking about upkeep? Anything that a life long neighborhood dweller wouldn't think about? The house is on a septic system so that's something new but not that big of a deal.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 12:09 pm to TomSpanks
when you get done picking up downed limbs, you have to start picking up downed limbs
after you've lived there 10 years or so, you'll hire someone to mow & weedeat
after you've lived there 10 years or so, you'll hire someone to mow & weedeat
Posted on 8/15/18 at 12:11 pm to TomSpanks
Obviously the more area you want to be "nice" the more time it will take. Any low spots that might hold water? are the property lines well marked? Last septic pump out was how long ago? where is the tank / lid? where are the septic lines? does that impact any future plans for shop /pool, etc?
4 acres is not really much different other than you have a little elbow room rather than a neighborhood.
4 acres is not really much different other than you have a little elbow room rather than a neighborhood.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 12:40 pm to TomSpanks
Don't purchase it until you have seen it after a few heavy rains. You will want to know if it floods/how it drains. Same thing goes for the road. Will you get rained in if a big rain event happens. (It happens to me)
Check out the neighbors as much as possible. Are they the type to encroach on your spot? Are they raising live stock? (get ready for flies) Are they all related? Meaning is your house on what used to be their family property? This can lead to problems later when they think its still theirs for private use.
Show up for every appointment at the house. When the inspector goes, go. Start establishing your presence there. The neighbors will show up and start asking questions. Feel them out that way.
Its the 1 acre of woods connected to a larger wooded area? Are people hunting it?
Are the property boundaries well marked? Not just on the land, but in the land survey. The last thing you want is a land depute the day you move in.
Learn as much history about the property as possible.
Are there any right of ways involved with the property? (past, present , and future)
Where is the water well, who has access to it and why?
How is the traffic on the road that leads to the property?
Are you still considered in the city/town limits? What laws apply to you? Can you burn a fire if you want, shoot guns, fireworks, etc. Basically, how much fun can you have on your own land?
If I think of more, Ill post.
Check out the neighbors as much as possible. Are they the type to encroach on your spot? Are they raising live stock? (get ready for flies) Are they all related? Meaning is your house on what used to be their family property? This can lead to problems later when they think its still theirs for private use.
Show up for every appointment at the house. When the inspector goes, go. Start establishing your presence there. The neighbors will show up and start asking questions. Feel them out that way.
Its the 1 acre of woods connected to a larger wooded area? Are people hunting it?
Are the property boundaries well marked? Not just on the land, but in the land survey. The last thing you want is a land depute the day you move in.
Learn as much history about the property as possible.
Are there any right of ways involved with the property? (past, present , and future)
Where is the water well, who has access to it and why?
How is the traffic on the road that leads to the property?
Are you still considered in the city/town limits? What laws apply to you? Can you burn a fire if you want, shoot guns, fireworks, etc. Basically, how much fun can you have on your own land?
If I think of more, Ill post.
This post was edited on 8/15/18 at 12:43 pm
Posted on 8/15/18 at 1:02 pm to TomSpanks
drainage? will you need to spray weeds/fence lines? are you ready to buy a decent tractor/mower?
who/what are your neighbors? What do the people around you do? Is this place rural?
you'll enjoy the yard work for the first 10 years or so, then the novelty will wear off and you'll want more time for golf/fishing/whatever
who/what are your neighbors? What do the people around you do? Is this place rural?
you'll enjoy the yard work for the first 10 years or so, then the novelty will wear off and you'll want more time for golf/fishing/whatever
Posted on 8/15/18 at 1:07 pm to TomSpanks
Let most of it go native. Plant some native trees and reduce the amount of area you are actually maintaining. You won't regret it.
Living landscape by Doug Tallamy is a good reference book if you are interested.
Living landscape by Doug Tallamy is a good reference book if you are interested.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 1:08 pm to TomSpanks
Don't throw condoms in the toilet
Posted on 8/15/18 at 1:24 pm to TimeOutdoors
quote:
Let most of it go native. Plant some native trees and reduce the amount of area you are actually maintaining
This. Blows me away when people clear up acres of land just so they can mow it. Let property grow back up with proper trees and keep a small but well maintained yard. Mowing all weekend is for birds.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 1:26 pm to TomSpanks
quote:
what other things should I be considering when thinking about upkeep?
As others said, check out the drainage after a good rain. Go back through historical aerial photos and see if you can see where someone previously brought fill in.
As with any house regardless of acreage, do a little online snooping on the neighbors.
You'll get to buy pesticides/herbicides in those 2.5 gallon jugs you've always wanted.
Your kids have more yard to tear up in their 4wheelers/golf carts/etc.
It will make you laugh at all the OB topics debating weed and feed, killing certain weeds and grasses, etc., as you will just care about keeping the grass down to a manageable level, regardless of weeds.
Your dog will have 10x more area to spread shredded boxes/bags/shoes/frickin plywood/etc around
You'll love it. I do.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 1:28 pm to TomSpanks
Is the road leading to the property paved, gravel or just an old dirt road? If not paved or blacktop, be prepared for a dust storm when folks drive past, especially if the house is near the road.
Someone already mentioned check for low spots that hold water when it rains. My late father-in-law's property in CENLA is on clay based soil. When it is dry it is hard as concrete. When it is wet and holding water, it is like soup in some spots.
If you plan on putting in some sort of garden spot, flowers or vegetables, what kind of soil is there to begin with. Any soil can be amended to become good soil, it just depends on the amount of work involved getting there.
Someone already mentioned check for low spots that hold water when it rains. My late father-in-law's property in CENLA is on clay based soil. When it is dry it is hard as concrete. When it is wet and holding water, it is like soup in some spots.
If you plan on putting in some sort of garden spot, flowers or vegetables, what kind of soil is there to begin with. Any soil can be amended to become good soil, it just depends on the amount of work involved getting there.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 1:30 pm to tenfoe
quote:
It will make you laugh at all the OB topics debating weed and feed, killing certain weeds and grasses, etc., as you will just care about keeping the grass down to a manageable level, regardless of weeds.
i'm happy with anything more presentable than "vacant lot"
Posted on 8/15/18 at 2:00 pm to Chuker
My parents had three acres in the dirty Dell that was originally half wooded. We started out trying to get the wooded portion looking good like the other side. That lasted two years. Was too much of a hassle, and I hated sharpening mower blades all of the time.
We just let it flood after that, and the canopy got thick enough to keep weeds down. Zero maintenance
We just let it flood after that, and the canopy got thick enough to keep weeds down. Zero maintenance
Posted on 8/15/18 at 2:11 pm to CoachChappy
quote:
Are there any right of ways involved with the property? (past, present , and future)
quote:
The neighbors will show up and start asking questions. Feel them out that way.
this. My dad bought a couple of acres and the neighbor ended up being a total dick head. The neighbor bought the land behind my dad and showed up a few days later and started bull dozing trees. My dad had to sue to show that there was no right of way. I don't remember the details of why the neighbor thought he could do that. He's been over to the house harassing my dad a times. He won't do it when he knows my brother or myself are there to knuckle check him. He's sulphur white trash with a little bit of money.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 2:13 pm to TomSpanks
OP you will be spending more money and time on landscaping equipment. Start looking for a 60" deck zero turn or whatever someone else recommends (couple $1000 there) and I'd plan on spending over $1000 on nice landscaping equipment like a chain saw, pole saw, etc.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 2:26 pm to TomSpanks
Buy the best chain saw that you can afford.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 3:10 pm to ToroTiger
Don't let the comments get you down. If you're obsessed with yard work, don't do it, but I say go for it.
I bought pretty much the same thing you're looking at (4.5 acres with the back acre wooded). My BIL does yard work, so I pay him $100 to mow it about every 3 weeks instead of buying and maintaining a 4K mower.
I have huge oaks and do have to pick up limbs after a big wind storm, but I just pile and burn them.
Also have room for a big garden, barn, and three dog kennel.
Only downside for me is I have some neigbors that live on one acre directly behind me. They bitched a while because my dogs would bark during the day. I had to get some bark collars and problem solved.
I burn where I want, shoot fireworks, crank up the music when I'm outside, and do pretty much anything. Neighbors on both sides are on 4-5 acres each, and their house is about 80 yards away. They don't ever come over or bitch, even though they probably hate me.
I wouldn't have it any other way - only thing I would change is not having those pesky neighbors behind me so I could shoot my guns.
I bought pretty much the same thing you're looking at (4.5 acres with the back acre wooded). My BIL does yard work, so I pay him $100 to mow it about every 3 weeks instead of buying and maintaining a 4K mower.
I have huge oaks and do have to pick up limbs after a big wind storm, but I just pile and burn them.
Also have room for a big garden, barn, and three dog kennel.
Only downside for me is I have some neigbors that live on one acre directly behind me. They bitched a while because my dogs would bark during the day. I had to get some bark collars and problem solved.
I burn where I want, shoot fireworks, crank up the music when I'm outside, and do pretty much anything. Neighbors on both sides are on 4-5 acres each, and their house is about 80 yards away. They don't ever come over or bitch, even though they probably hate me.
I wouldn't have it any other way - only thing I would change is not having those pesky neighbors behind me so I could shoot my guns.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 3:32 pm to TomSpanks
is the property designed in a way you can possibly subdivide at a later point?
Posted on 8/15/18 at 5:17 pm to Chad504boy
Wow, lots of great advice, thanks a ton.
This is a family property that we know all about, it didn't flood 2 years ago, and doesn't hold water at all in the maintained area. Neighbors aren't an issue at all, thankfully.
I am completely ignorant on septic systems but do know this one has been sucked out in the last couple of year, and I don't use condoms so no worries there .
I will budget in for lawn equipment, hadn't thought about needing a chain saw or pole saw but can definitely see where those would be needed.
There's a paved road up to the property, and a long gravel driveway behind an electric gate leading to the house.
We wouldn't be subdividing as this is a property that's been in the family for a while.
Thanks again for the replies.
This is a family property that we know all about, it didn't flood 2 years ago, and doesn't hold water at all in the maintained area. Neighbors aren't an issue at all, thankfully.
I am completely ignorant on septic systems but do know this one has been sucked out in the last couple of year, and I don't use condoms so no worries there .
I will budget in for lawn equipment, hadn't thought about needing a chain saw or pole saw but can definitely see where those would be needed.
There's a paved road up to the property, and a long gravel driveway behind an electric gate leading to the house.
We wouldn't be subdividing as this is a property that's been in the family for a while.
Thanks again for the replies.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 5:30 pm to TomSpanks
Keep 1/2 an acre mowed and manicured then put goats on the other 3 1/2 acres. Goats are fun and they will keep it clean.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 7:00 pm to Purple Spoon
We have had a goat while we live in the neighborhood so that's definitely not out of the question ????
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