| Almost anyone can become a rural property | | | | There are some lovely farms on the cliffs |
| owner; if you are willing to set goals, establish | | | | overlooking the Pacific near Carmel California; |
| what your purposes are, plan ahead and set | | | | where the movie stars reside and if you can find |
| targets that are all aligned toward the same | | | | a hundred acre farm you may be able to get it |
| result. And, if you can be patient instead of | | | | for a hundred million dollars or so, plus the value |
| requiring instant gratification.There is no more | | | | of improvements. That is about what you can |
| $50-an-acre land; unless you count some of the | | | | expect to pay for acreage near Rehoboth also; |
| inaccessible and unusable properties that are | | | | and it's a little easier to find. The farther you go |
| sometimes available in blocks of 10,000 acres or | | | | away from the "ideal" locations the fewer people |
| more; and even these properties are rare. But | | | | are looking to purchase it and the lower the price |
| you can get rural properties more reasonably now | | | | is. An interesting anecdote here; I had a couple |
| than in the past IF you are willing to be creative in | | | | come to me a few years ago looking to purchase |
| your expectations and in the ways you use and | | | | a hundred acres or so on the oceanfront near |
| modify the property.If you are in a big hurry to | | | | Rehoboth, for horses; they could easily afford the |
| find rural property, you will likely not be able to | | | | price of a million an acre or so, but they ended up |
| find what you are looking for. Rural properties | | | | purchasing land twenty minutes inland after they |
| have fewer buyers who want to purchase them, | | | | did more reasonable research.Before you go out |
| but there are plenty of dreamers who have not | | | | looking for property, sit down with paper and |
| considered the realities. There are seldom bargains | | | | pencil and any partners or family that will be |
| available because most folks who own rural | | | | involved. You may find numerous surprises when |
| properties know exactly who to call first when | | | | you all start writing down importances, desires, |
| they want to sell. If the property really is a | | | | and things not wanted. It is most important that |
| bargain it is gone with one of the first ten phone | | | | you know what you must have, and what you |
| calls the seller makes. However, if you are willing | | | | can do without. Make a list of the features you |
| to "think outside the box" of convention you may | | | | feel an area MUST have in order for you to |
| end up with what is a bargain property for | | | | consider relocating there. This might include things |
| you.Twenty and thirty years ago thousands of | | | | like climate (and, thus, growing season), being |
| folks bought into the "live on a farm and make a | | | | within a certain radius of a population center (or |
| fortune" dream of owning a chicken house, home | | | | maybe a certain distance AWAY from one), and |
| and acreage in Sussex County Delaware -- the | | | | availability of certain facilities or services. Being |
| chicken capital of the world -- where there are | | | | within 20 miles of an airport or hospital may not |
| several million chickens for every person who | | | | matter to one family, but could be of vital |
| lives here. For a short while it was possible to | | | | importance to another.The most important item |
| take the "contract" from a chicken plant to the | | | | on this list is consideration of the social and |
| bank and with only that as collateral, get a loan | | | | economic climate of the area, and how you will fit |
| for about 10 acres, a home and at least one | | | | into it. Even if you're independently wealthy, the |
| chicken house. Many folks soon discovered that | | | | economic circumstances of an area can affect |
| the so called contract had fine print and clauses | | | | how you will fit into it. Will a well-heeled but |
| that were all in favor of the chicken plant and | | | | bored-with-society person be able to move into |
| none in favor of the chicken grower. Soon most | | | | an economic Appalachia and truly find |
| chicken growers were working full time to help | | | | contentment? Perhaps, but first consider the |
| support the chicken business they had bought, | | | | "necessities" of the life you'll be leaving. Do you |
| along with it's mortgage of $200,000 or more, | | | | need to regularly attend the symphony or visit a |
| sometimes much more.Now when I appraise a | | | | high-quality library? Is high quality clothing shopping |
| chicken farm with house and acreage I appraise | | | | or other shopping important to you?MAKING A |
| the working chicken farm at zero -- and that is | | | | REASONABLE INCOME AND LEARNING ABOUT |
| really too high a value in some cases. There are | | | | RURAL IMPORTANCES: IS PROBABLY THE |
| lots of easier, better smelling and cleaner jobs you | | | | MOST IMPORTANT PART OF LEARNING TO |
| can purchase with $200,000 or so. If you want to | | | | LIVE IN THE STICKS.Those of us who aren't |
| make a living growing chickens you should prepare | | | | independently wealthy need to consider some |
| to spend at least a million dollars, you can finance | | | | means of supporting ourselves in our new |
| it of course, and get several chicken houses built | | | | surroundings. "Living off the land" is certainly NOT |
| around your home on 15 to 20 acres, if you don't | | | | all it's cracked up to be, and isn't even legal unless |
| mind the smell, and then the best bet is to lease | | | | you become a vegetarian; year around hunting |
| the business to someone who is running 20 or | | | | for meat is illegal everywhere. Even gardening or |
| thirty chicken houses at least.There are some | | | | collecting wild edibles is not legal either, if you try |
| sensible things you can do in contemplation of | | | | to do it on public land.Before moving to the |
| moving to and living in the country. First among | | | | country... One of the important questions to ask |
| those is to start by renting a small home in the | | | | (and find out for sure the answer) is; "Does the |
| area you want to live -- and either move there or | | | | area have a large enough population base to give |
| at least visit there often enough to get to know | | | | a person a good shot at finding a job? Another is; |
| the area. If you already live close enough to drive | | | | "Does it have a diversified economy? Many |
| to your dream area daily, start doing that and | | | | communities seem to have good employment |
| start frequenting the shops, churches and | | | | opportunities, but on closer inspection they all turn |
| restaurants there. Stop at yard sales and to | | | | out to be based on the same industry, such as |
| check into cars, trucks and equipment that is for | | | | recreation, chickens, fishing camps, skiing, ocean |
| sale in people's front yards. Be honest, tell them | | | | swimming and water sports, timber or mining or |
| you are planning to move into the area and want | | | | farming. If the bottom falls out of a single |
| to learn about your neighbors and only stop to | | | | industry, or suddenly there is no snow or the |
| shop if you are really interested in what they | | | | water becomes polluted and is posted against |
| have for sale and are willing to purchase it at your | | | | use... as folks from many towns can attest has |
| price. Rural folk have a built in truth-detector and | | | | happened, the economy of the entire area falls |
| it is usually accurate. Don't try to BS them or | | | | apart -- FAST... to fast to get out with your |
| your reputation will precede any other data about | | | | investment.If an area's economy is primarily based |
| you.I suggest that you can subscribe to a good | | | | on tourism, such as ours in the Rehoboth, Lewes, |
| magazine on rural living, or two or three. One of | | | | Dewey, Bethany, Fenwick area, there may be |
| the best to begin with is Backwoods Home | | | | many jobs available in the service sector (motels, |
| Magazine; Start by visiting and reading | | | | restaurants, etc.) But most of these jobs pay |
| EVERYTHING on line, then get a subscription, then | | | | very low wages, and often these jobs are |
| purchase ALL of the back issues which are bound | | | | seasonal. Land prices tend to be inflated in many |
| into soft cover books.If you yearn for the simple | | | | resort areas, and ours more so than most.I was |
| life of old fashioned living, in a log home for | | | | surprised a few years ago to find that the most |
| instance, and away from the downward pull of | | | | expensive areas of California were not all that |
| civilization, check out: you are able to take your | | | | expensive compared to Rehoboth and surrounding |
| income with you, to maintain your current income, | | | | areas.Minimum wage income is not likely to enable |
| and don't need a job where you are going. Then I | | | | a person to live comfortably in a resort |
| recommend you just rent a place first and start | | | | community, much less enable a person to |
| spending more and more time in a good area as | | | | purchase property! An extreme example is the |
| you begin to test your transition resources. While | | | | city of Aspen, Colorado. This beautiful ski resort |
| renting get to know the people and see if you fit | | | | community is an extremely expensive place to |
| in with them. They are not planning to change to | | | | live. The local fast-food restaurants have trouble |
| meet your parameters, I assure you. MOST of | | | | getting employees because there is no reasonably |
| the folks who come from the city to the country | | | | priced place for them to live. Some of these |
| start by trying to change the area they have | | | | businesses actually have to provide housing in |
| moved to and the new neighbors, to be more like | | | | order to get employees! It is somewhat like that |
| where they left. They should not have left or | | | | in Rehoboth area. As you may know, Grotto's |
| they should get on back there -- and most of the | | | | Pizza, our largest employer in the area, at one |
| neighbors will tell you so.If you move to an area | | | | time provided space for many of their |
| as a renter and find the people to your liking and | | | | employees. Now, a lot of our resort help lives |
| they find you to their liking, you have probably | | | | communally in "three bedrooms, sleeps twenty) |
| found the right area. However, in rural areas ten | | | | type apartments and homes. Many more of our |
| miles can make a huge difference in lifestyle and | | | | seasonally employed folks are imported from |
| area ethnicity. Please don't move to a resort | | | | Ireland and elsewhere -- and come to live in |
| town, like Rehoboth Beach where I work, and | | | | dormitory style, often sleeping in shifts.If you are |
| then without checking try to move into a place | | | | a computer professional, you are very fortunate |
| like Oak Orchard (the little rural waterfront town | | | | as the "Information Age" has created a class of |
| where I live) or you will experience some near | | | | professionals who can survive in depressed rural |
| terminal culture shock. I love where I live and the | | | | areas -- the computer entrepreneur. With |
| people who live here but hopefully not one of | | | | reasonably good dial-up ISP service, perhaps a |
| them thinks that I have some intention of | | | | cable modem (in Millsboro and some areas of |
| changing the way they live here!Once you have | | | | southern Sussex County) a cell phone, computer, |
| zeroed in on an area and visited it many dozen | | | | printer, modems and fax, people can now roam |
| times or better yet rented a place there and | | | | across the country and the world by phone and |
| started living there for short stays; I suggest that | | | | the Internet. Some folks, and this is a fast |
| you start joining various groups and organizations | | | | growing segment of our buyers, can either work |
| as a part-time member and let them know that | | | | at home for a distant company (perhaps |
| you are not full time yet, but hope to be. They | | | | commuting once a week or once a month or |
| help. Don't try to instruct them or help them do | | | | even in the case of one of my clients twice a |
| what they are already doing better; just try to | | | | week) or create a new business as a consultant, |
| help them on their own terms. You need to learn | | | | doing the same job for the same company they |
| the rules of this new game, it's their game and | | | | are currently employed by. With a business card |
| their community. At most you will be a welcome | | | | and digital tools one can appear to have a large |
| member of the community. You will never be the | | | | conventional business, albeit a laptop and other |
| equal to those who have four or ten or thirty | | | | portable digital tools, and it can be quite |
| generations of family buried and established there. | | | | profitable.Computer-based businesses are ideally |
| For instance in our area those who have only | | | | suited for rural living. They are becoming |
| been here for sixty years are still not considered | | | | increasingly more important as a means of |
| "from here" by those who have been here since | | | | breaking loose from the grind of commuting to |
| the 1500s or soon after.Once you have looked at | | | | work in big cities that are fast becoming too |
| several dozen properties that interest you, and | | | | dangerous to live in. If you're not yet into |
| that may take a year or two or more; you will | | | | computers, you'll have to consider whether you |
| begin to appreciate different micro-cultures in the | | | | have a skill that's marketable in the area you're |
| area. You will begin to notice differences in soils, | | | | interested in.Make sure the place you choose (a) |
| roads, well water, septic system functionality and | | | | has a use for that skill, and (b) isn't saturated with |
| road access; not to mention the differences in | | | | unemployed people who have the same skill. One |
| governmental rules and enforcement of same. | | | | of my best friends is a fabulous carpenter, home |
| Each time you find the perfect property; put a | | | | builder, cabinet maker, and skilled in many other |
| contract on it "pending research and discovery" | | | | fields such as welding, auto mechanics, |
| and during that time check the neighbors and | | | | gunsmithing to some degree and perhaps a couple |
| professionals about the property. You should | | | | of dozen more marketable skills. He moved to a |
| check the neighbors first, lots of them, they | | | | rural area of Virginia to his dream home on over |
| already know everything the professionals are | | | | a hundred acres and his income plummeted. He is |
| going to charge you to tell you.Hopefully by the | | | | back here now and I'm glad he is even though I |
| second or third property you put a contract and | | | | don't see him very often; it's just pleasant to |
| deposit on; you will have the one that is right for | | | | drive by his business and know he's back in the |
| you. Remember, if the property is a bargain price, | | | | neighborhood.Please, please, please... before you |
| you have missed something in almost every case. | | | | move to an new rural area; subscribe to the |
| What you need to do is figure out how it is a | | | | nearest newspaper for the area you are |
| bargain for you; because you have an unusual | | | | considering and read the economic and |
| use, ability, or way to change the property easily | | | | community sections as well as the help wanted |
| to suit your needs.Buy through a Realtor if at all | | | | ads. If there is a skimpy "help wanted" section in |
| possible. Sign a buyers agent agreement with | | | | the local paper... beware. On the other hand, could |
| your agent so that his allegiance is to you -- | | | | this "depressing" state of affairs regarding |
| otherwise, by law his allegiance is ONLY to the | | | | employment news probably means that real |
| seller and by law, you are in an adversarial position | | | | estate is bargain priced in that area?OTHER |
| to the seller and the Realtor. With a buyer's agent | | | | THINGS TO CONSIDER |
| agreement signed, your agent is now on your | | | | What about your health and age? Do you now |
| side, by law, and is an opponent of the seller and | | | | or do you expect to have frequent need for the |
| the seller's agent. Ask your agent then to provide | | | | type of medical services mostly found in large |
| you with all the comparable sales data from the | | | | cities? |
| multi-listing service if there is one. If not hire an | | | | Although they're necessary, think seriously about |
| appraiser, once you have the property under | | | | staying at least 25 miles away from the nearest |
| contract, (make the contract contingent upon a | | | | freeway system. These "conduits of crime" that |
| satisfactory appraisal) and pay to have the price | | | | cross the country not only carry law-abiding |
| evaluated. If you have contracted for too high a | | | | citizens but solitary criminals and gangs as well. |
| price, renegotiate the contract; if you find you | | | | The gangs and other thugs tend to use the |
| have a real bargain; you of course double check | | | | corridor towns in proximity of the freeways as |
| with your agent and the appraiser to find out | | | | their "banks" and they excel in "withdrawals on |
| why. It may be that the reason for it's | | | | the run." One small town the writers lived in was |
| "reasonable" price the reason that keeps it from | | | | only a few miles from a freeway exit. One night, |
| selling is not that important to you -- and you do | | | | two men left the freeway, robbed a motel and |
| have a bargain.Possibly your employer or the | | | | got back on the freeway a short time later. They |
| consulting work or your self employment activities | | | | were never caught. Imagine what these corridors |
| may allow you to telecommute. But if you can't | | | | may become as our cities and suburbs continue |
| telecommute to maintain your current income; | | | | to deteriorate!WHEN YOU FIND AN AREA YOU |
| before buying in an area, find out if you have a | | | | LIKE . . . |
| marketable skill, one which is in demand in that | | | | Once you've decided generally where you'd like |
| particular region. This will give you some | | | | to relocate, visit it several times, preferably at |
| assurance that you will not become a financial | | | | different times of the year. Learn which areas are |
| fatality. Most of the folks who move to rural | | | | desirable and which have problems. Check for |
| communities, without checking into how they will | | | | flood plains, areas with access problems, water |
| make money in the new location, have to sell | | | | problems (not enough, too much or poor quality), |
| their property at a loss within 5 years, due to lack | | | | noise problems (yes, even rural areas can have |
| of income.If you are retired, be certain that | | | | noisy spots), or other problems peculiar to a given |
| hospitals, doctors, stores, restaurants, etc. are | | | | area. Some rural "neighborhoods" have earned a |
| suitable for you in the new location -- or be very | | | | bad reputation. Find out why before buying there. |
| certain that you will be able to comfortably reside | | | | If the price seems too good to be true, maybe |
| in the new area regardless.Some of us are not be | | | | somebody's trying to unload a problem.If you're |
| able to save enough money for a cash purchase | | | | looking for undeveloped land on which to build |
| of our rural dream property before we reach | | | | your retreat, find out about the water tables: |
| retirement age. It is however likely that we can | | | | depth, quality, and reliability. Find out what it costs |
| provide a small sum for a down payment, and | | | | to drill a well to the necessary depth for that |
| we're reasonably certain that we can market our | | | | area. Water should be one of the most important |
| skills locally to meet payments and put bread on | | | | considerations in any land purchase. In Sussex |
| the table (but please don't just guess about this, | | | | County we are fortunate that we have generally |
| check it out).Even if you find small acreage (10 to | | | | good water (no matter what the press and |
| 50 acres) for $5,000 or less per acre that has | | | | Pseudo-envoronmentalists say) and wells are |
| good soil, good water available and a good | | | | relatively cheap to drill.Find out the proximity of |
| prospect for an inexpensive, workable septic | | | | utilities and costs to bring them in and hook them |
| system -- many banks and mortgage companies | | | | up, if they're not already in place. In some areas, |
| are not optimistic about financing raw land. BUT, | | | | costs to hook up to the power lines grid are |
| seller financing is often a alternative and easily | | | | prohibitive. Some of those same areas may not |
| structured method of purchasing raw land. In fact | | | | be conducive to an inexpensive well or septic |
| it is not unusual to get twenty, thirty or even | | | | either. BUT that can be an advantage if you are |
| forty year financing at 10% or less interest -- | | | | able to think outside of the norm. For instance our |
| from the seller. Of course, in order to build on the | | | | Fowler's Beach property is not conducive to |
| property, you will normally have to pay off the | | | | running electric wires, getting good water from a |
| seller's mortgage with your home financing loan. | | | | shallow well or building and inexpensive sewer |
| Any of the money you have paid on the price of | | | | system. As a result you can get waterfront |
| the land, down payment as well as principle | | | | acreage for little money on a private beach and |
| payments during your ownership period, and any | | | | the cost of electric, water and sewer when |
| appreciation of the land value will be considered as | | | | added to the cost of the property is |
| part of your down payment on your home | | | | minuscule!Once you've narrowed your search to a |
| owners loan.Be careful to set your payments so | | | | few areas within your target community, look at |
| that you can afford the land payments along with | | | | several properties! Realtors such as ourselves, can |
| your current cost of housing. You can save | | | | be a big help, not only by showing you individual |
| thousands of dollars in interest by keeping your | | | | properties, but by telling you about the area in |
| loan to as short a term as possible. Also, make | | | | general. It's not necessary to restrict yourself to |
| sure that there is no prepayment penalty on your | | | | one Realtor. But as soon as possible you should |
| seller financing note.You can however often | | | | choose ONE to work with, get their allegiance and |
| purchase an existing home on acreage for a lot | | | | preferably sign a buyer's agent agreement with |
| less than the cost of acreage and building a similar | | | | them so that they are looking out for your best |
| home. You can also often rent out the property | | | | interests!!! If your Realtor is too pushy for you or |
| to cover part of your expense while you arrange | | | | isn't showing you the type of properties that |
| your affairs for your eventual relocation to rural | | | | interest you, find another one; make sure you |
| bliss. If you are interested in purchasing a 100 | | | | void the buyer's agent agreement if you have |
| acre horse farm complete with buildings, fencing, | | | | one (in writing) and get a Realtor who will listen to |
| paddocks, etc. you can often save nearly 50% of | | | | what you want and provide you such.And don't |
| the reconstruction cost; but there is little market | | | | forget to watch the newspapers and check out |
| for renting such a property.If you find "more than | | | | properties in your price range and area of interest |
| five acres" with a home and buildings that need | | | | being offered for sale by owner. Sometimes the |
| work but are structurally sound, you may save | | | | best deals can be had by working with owners; |
| 30% to even 60% of the reconstruction cost. Be | | | | and if you have a buyer's agent, the agent can |
| certain in this area, Sussex County Delaware, that | | | | make certain that you are well informed and |
| you get more than five acres as five acres or | | | | protected even after you view the property with |
| less falls into a nonagricultural zoning classification | | | | the seller.You will also need an attorney in |
| that you may not wish to be involved with as | | | | Delaware to assist you with the closing on the |
| you develop your rural lifestyle.Most people ask | | | | property. It is important to know that all |
| me for 20 to 30 acres, or more. But let's take a | | | | attorney's CAN do real estate settlements but |
| look at reality here. A football field is three | | | | only a handful are worth using. Attorneys |
| quarters of one acre. Thus 5.1 acres or more is a | | | | specialize and only three to five of them specialize |
| very roomy place to live acreage wise. If you | | | | in real estate -- for the rest of them, real estate |
| want horses however think 15 acres or more. | | | | settlements are awkward and no matter what |
| Each horse will need an average of 5 to 9 acres | | | | they say... they usually make errors and those |
| depending on how you decide to raise the horse; | | | | errors can be horrid.When you do find a property |
| that acreage is in addition to the land that your | | | | you like, don't let it blind you to its drawbacks. |
| home, driveway, out buildings, garden and other | | | | Whether or not you're working with a Realtor, do |
| non-fenced areas take in. Many people are thinking | | | | your homework. Remember, unless your Realtor |
| of one, two, three or four horses for the family | | | | is a buyer's agent, he or she is working for the |
| enjoyment; if so they need about 3 or more | | | | seller. Most Realtors will be up front with you |
| acres for the home and other human related | | | | about all your questions, but they are also bound |
| improvements and should figure an additional | | | | by contract to get the best possible price for |
| average of seven acres for each horse or pony.If | | | | their client, the seller. And, by law -- when they |
| you have a dream of self-sufficiency; living off | | | | are working for the seller there are numerous |
| the power grid, being away from it all... this is | | | | things they may NOT divulge to you even when |
| virtually impossible in reality yet most prevalent | | | | they know about them.First, ask the seller or |
| when you are in the dream stage. Coming to | | | | Realtor all the questions you can about the |
| terms with what you can realistically afford and | | | | property. For an older dwelling, this might include |
| what you can realistically live with before you buy | | | | questions about the age of the wiring and |
| can save you a lot of headaches later.Solar power | | | | plumbing, type of foundation, and in some parts |
| is far more expensive than buying electricity from | | | | of the country, when it was last checked for |
| the power company, wind power is unreliable, | | | | insect problems. This is particularly important near |
| water power is expensive and hard to arrange; | | | | the beaches and regarding wooded properties -- |
| now I expect to get a lot of argument on this | | | | where termites are prevalent.Then talk to the |
| from those who have read all about it but have | | | | neighbors. In the rural sense, the "neighbors" are |
| no real experience -- but I won't get any valid | | | | folks living within a five-or-so-mile radius of the |
| argument from anyone who has done it (unless | | | | property; sometimes even more, if the property |
| they are simultaneously trying to sell the idea to | | | | is down a long road without intersections. Ask |
| others).There are many good articles in | | | | them about the area, its people, any problems |
| Backwoods Home Magazine; but most of them | | | | with the area, and particularly if they know of any |
| leave out the initial expense, maintenance expense | | | | drawbacks with the property you are considering |
| and almost always the expense of replacing worn | | | | purchasing. If they seem reluctant to talk to you, |
| components of these so called money saving | | | | this might be a red flag you shouldn't ignore: |
| off-the-grid systems. You can however design a | | | | maybe they'd like to buy the property but can't |
| passive solar home, one with most windows | | | | afford it, or maybe they don't like outsiders |
| facing south west and few facing other directions. | | | | buying property in their area. If you run up against |
| Most older farm houses are already designed like | | | | this in several conversations, you might have a |
| this, not all of them are well insulated | | | | hard time getting along with the neighbors. Buying |
| however.Location: is paramount. We Realtors are | | | | -- and holding onto -- that chunk of land, with or |
| wont to chant"location -- location -- location" like a | | | | without a home and buildings on it will take |
| mantra. It isimportant, just learn what it means as | | | | creative planning, patience, and caution on your |
| location hasdifferent parameters for different | | | | part!IF YOU MUST HAVE A DEAL OR ELSE . . . |
| purposes. Location on a main road is imperative | | | | Today's expensive properties will be tomorrow's |
| for commercial activity; location near pleasant | | | | bargains. Don't be discouraged by short term |
| living and good jobs is imperative for residential | | | | obstacles. Land prices seldom go down in the long |
| property; location regarding rural principles is a | | | | run. Obviously, there are a lot more things to |
| matter of sometimes life and death or at least a | | | | consider when buying rural land as opposed to |
| matter of doable and undoable for a rural home.I | | | | buying a house in a city. One of them is the |
| suggest that the proper location for rural living is | | | | possible problems of buying in a "boom town" |
| NOT usually closest to the best beach, ski slope | | | | area when you don't want to be part of the |
| or lake but the more sensible location is near to a | | | | boom.It is important to consider whether your |
| rural town where many or most of the locals are | | | | dream location will become less desirable as more |
| living on rural acreage. In our area everyone | | | | people relocate there. For this reason it is not |
| wants ten to thirty acres near the beach; after | | | | uncommon for people who move to a rural area |
| finding out the price, they dream about 1 to 5 | | | | to want to "close the gate" after they get there. |
| acres but seldom end up getting it and if they do | | | | They realize that if too many people move to the |
| the difficulty of finding it, using it for rural | | | | small community they have chosen, that it will |
| purposes and enjoying it when your neighbors | | | | eventually lose the qualities that drew them there |
| complain about your rooster, tractor noise or | | | | in the first place. Unfortunately, people WILL find |
| fertilizer odors will often make this semi-rural | | | | these wonderful places, no matter how hard |
| location less than your dreams.If you're not rigidly | | | | some people try to keep them a secret. Some |
| set on purchasing land in some popular or scenic | | | | communities handle growth well, others don't. |
| wonderland, some good buys can still be found in | | | | Check to see what kind of planning and zoning is |
| the less "romantic" parts of the county, | | | | present in your chosen area. A community that |
| particularly on the edges of small farming | | | | looks ahead and plans for growth fares much |
| communities. In Sussex County, I suggest the | | | | better than communities that keep their heads in |
| south west part of the county, west of Millsboro, | | | | the sand, thinking "it can't happen here." Growth |
| nearer to Gumboro, Delmar, etc. for the best | | | | not only can happen, it will.But short of a natural |
| rural surroundings and lowest prices. There are | | | | disaster or a devastating man-made calamity, land |
| few properties available in that area but even | | | | won't come down in value. Buy it, use it, live on it, |
| fewer buyers who have faced the reality of | | | | improve it, and love it. Land is the best |
| where rural living is better lived.If you are | | | | investment you'll ever make, for yourself and |
| independently wealthy, that is a different matter. | | | | posterity.Good luck in your search! |