Things To Think About When Buying a Rural Home

Have you ever wondered what it's like to get up in the morning and enjoy an unrestricted view of an incredible sunrise, live a life free of traffic jams, and rarely wait in line for anything? If so, you'll be pleased to discover how easy it is to attain such tranquility and harmony.

Most individuals who transition to a country lifestyle seldom have remorse over their decision to leave their former hectic lifestyle behind. If anything, most people ask themselves why they didn't make the transition sooner. There's something about spending time in a natural setting that speaks to a person's soul. Listening to the sound of crickets on a warm summer evening, relaxing in front of a warm fire on a blustery winter evening, and owning a generous parcel of land to do with as you wish are just a few benefits that draw people to provincial life.

In the not-too-distant past, residing far away from a major metropolitan area simply wasn't an option for a career professional. Today, with the explosion in remote work opportunities, getting "away from it all" while still enjoying professional success is now easily within reach.

Houses in Arcadian areas often have additional square footage, yet they're less costly than their big-city counterparts, and a generous acreage usually accompanies most. Traffic jams are virtually nonexistent, and crowds in stores or anywhere else simply don't exist.

Residing in the countryside can feel like experiencing a bucolic paradise. There are no more long commutes and no traffic snarls or perpetual construction zones. Instead, you're simply given greater time to spend with loved ones, take up a hobby or two, or just relax. Experiencing the joy of a summer evening as you relax on your comfortable porch, perhaps waving to the occasional neighbor while listening to the lulling sounds of nature rather than a big-city cacophony, there's nothing quite like it.

Many individuals report that they sleep better and have a greater sense of calmness; they also feel better mentally and emotionally after prioritizing the important aspects of their lives, namely their relationships with their loved ones. On the rare occasion when they do need access to a service or a product that can only be found in a metropolitan area, driving a longer distance to obtain what they need seems like a minor inconvenience.

With all the benefits associated with a pastoral lifestyle, some might find it a challenge to produce any disadvantages. Still, every situation has plusses and minuses, especially for those whose previous style of living differed greatly. Nevertheless, it's surprising how a willingness to think outside the box and a little ingenuity can easily allow one to enjoy a modern existence even while living off the beaten track.

While it's true that crowds and excessive amounts of traffic aren't a part of the country experience — outside major cities and their surrounding suburbs, there are simply fewer businesses and other types of organizations — this also means that many of your favorite stores and other resources, once only a short drive away, are now only available online. Fortunately, numerous companies have come up with creative ways to deliver just about any product you desire, including your favorite gourmet ice cream.

Most rural districts have landscaping/snow removal services available; however, those who want to live in a fairly remote area may have to take care of outdoor maintenance tasks themselves. Even so, there's something about planting flower bulbs in the fall and then watching them bloom in the spring that's so satisfying. Many people learn to love caring for their own landscaping to the point where they fully embrace the task by adding their own vegetable garden as well. In addition, some homeowners find that using their own toys to snowplow their driveway is a genuine source of winter fun.

For those who are somewhat torn at the thought of leaving certain urban amenities behind, employing some creativity and imagination can result in a solution that's just as enjoyable. If a homeowner misses their former state-of-the-art public fitness facility, they can simply design their own home gym. Owning acreage also provides homeowners with the possibility of adding stand-alone buildings to house a classic car collection, act as a guest house, or serve as an art or yoga studio.

Although more than a few inconveniences inherent to a rural existence can be resolved with creative thinking and a flexible attitude, some realities associated with residing in an Arcadian setting are harder to work around. For instance, while homeowners can easily snowplow their own driveway, the adjacent roads are another matter. County snowplows will eventually clear all public routes, but after a severe snow or ice storm, it may take them longer than usual to clear a community's outlying roads.

Dwelling in a rustic area means less immediate access to state-of-the-art medical care, fire departments, and other emergency services. In addition, homeowners need to be more self-sufficient than those who reside in urban areas. It's important to have an emergency plan in place in case there's an electricity outage, or the roads become impassable for several days.

Fortunately, most issues can be resolved by planning for emergencies in advance. A generator allows a house to have electricity even if there's a local power outage. Keeping a well-stocked pantry and staying up to date on medication refills means you'll always have access to essentials during severe weather events. Lastly, neighbors may pool their resources to keep their spot passable until the county can thoroughly remove the snow from all the minor roads in the region.

Most cell phone plans offer coverage throughout the United States. Even so, before you make an offer on a particular home, verifying the connection integrity of your current cell phone service from within the residence is important. If your current plan's coverage is poor, ensure another cell phone plan is ready for move-in day.

Finding high-speed internet service, even in somewhat remote regions, is becoming less of a problem. However, some zones lack options for fast, reliable internet. If you plan to buy a property that doesn't have access to stable internet, satellite internet service may be a viable option.

Finally, some people have always lived in a locale where their water is delivered through a municipal water system, and household waste is removed by connecting with their city's septic system. Living outside these services means a residence must be equipped with a private well and a septic system.

While these water and waste systems are built to last for decades, occasional issues with these mechanisms can arise. Homeowners need to be aware that if they don't have a backup generator, the operation of their well-water pump will cease during a power outage. In addition, their septic system may require periodic maintenance from a professional to remain fully functional.

Sometimes, people fully embrace country living by purchasing a working farm. This requires a different buying process, especially concerning taxes, because the federal government classifies a working farm as a business. Farm owners must comply with certain federal regulations, especially when raising animals or crops for profit. New owners may want to begin farming on a small scale, putting off their plans for growth until after they've become familiar with agricultural operations.

If you're ready to take on a new adventure away from the big city, we'd love to help! The Wenzler Concierge Group team members are dedicated to finding the perfect home for each of our clients. Contact us today—we look forward to making your small-town dreams come true!