With more people now working from home, many are considering moving out to the country to have access to more land and square footage. Moving out of the city will come with a few challenges and rules. Here are a few things to consider before making the move.
Zoning Bylaws
Zoning bylaws cover how you may use the land. How many buildings can be built, where to construct them and what the property may be used for. Zoning can also affect how you'll be able to finance your purchase, so be sure to speak to your lender asap.
Renovations
Moving out of the city doesn't have to mean giving up the comforts of your current home to go live in an old farmhouse. With some renovations you can turn any home into the home of your dreams! It may be tempting to buy a "fixer-upper" but you need to consider the costs of renovations, which may be higher in rural areas.
Water Quality
Many houses in rural areas use well water to supply the home. This is something to keep in mind when shopping around. Your lender may require a water potability test to be done. If the water source is contaminated you may have to deal will installing or fixing the well.
Septic Systems
As many know, a good portion of rural properties run on a septic system for waste management. This is something to keep in mind as you will need to have it pumped and maintained over the years. Your lender may also require a septic report which can be obtained by having the septic system inspected.
Utilities
If you're going to be working from home, you'll need reliable internet, electricity, and cellular coverage or telephone lines. This can be harder to find in rural properties. You may also find that utilities are more expensive in the country-side.
Road Access
One thing to note with rural properties is that neighbours may share private access roads. When dealing with private roads, the home owners are normally in charge of the maintenance and upkeep. On the note of driveways, many people forget that we get a lot of snow here in Canada and that means that you will have more shovelling to do during the winter season!
Source: https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/things-homebuyers-should-consider-before-leaving-the-city-1946255/#