Maybe found our spot!?!?

ROSEMAMA · #1 03/07/07, 03:42 PM

DH and I have been searching for our little bit of land for about six months, now. We've been wanting out in the country for years, but wanted to get the house 'bout paid off before we started looking. We looked at a place yesterday, and it seems to fill the requirements we have (mostly).

It's almost completely timber (plus) of mostly good age. Nice roll to the land, with no real low (flood plain) areas. A little creek runs through, and we saw deer running the day we were there. Price is pretty good, considering how IL prices are these days. The owner also has the mineral rights and is giving them up with the sale. DH will bring his sticks next time we visit, and see if he can find a good place to drill for water.

The only major thing stopping us from racing to the bank is, the access. There are 2 deeded easements to the property. The one to the side we would be building on is just a dirt farm road. Is it appropriate to see if the owner (of the eased property) would be willing to help maintain a gravel road? I understand that he wouldn't be legally responsible to do anything except let us get to and from our property, but should I make it a dealbreaker?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!---RM

zukgod · #2 03/07/07, 03:45 PM

I would not make that a deal breaker. If it is deeded then you are more than welcome to maintain it to your standards. But I would think that if the road is in rough shape now the farmer most likely does not care and would not in the future. Good luck with the land hope it works for you.

ROSEMAMA · #3 03/07/07, 03:48 PM

Thanks, Zukgod! The only thing I worry about is, that if we sink a bundle of money on rocking this road (about 1/4 mi.), then they drive their farm equipment in on it, it's gonna need re-rocked pretty often for a while. Could run into a chunk o'change. Maybe just use this as bargaining leverage?

Jennifer L. · #4 03/08/07, 09:28 AM

The farmer isn't going to want to put money into a 1/4 mile gravel road when he does fine with the dirt one that's there. There's no advantage to him at all.

I doubt the amount of machinery running over the road is going to be tearing it up if a dirt road works now, though.

I would simply look at the cost of building a better road as part of the package on the land and yes, use it to get the price of the land down if you can.

Jennifer

ROSEMAMA · #5 03/08/07, 04:15 PM

Thanks, Jennifer! We're starting to really get excited about this. After living in town for the last 12 yrs., we really want to get back out to the country. Sometimes, you just have to bring your head back down to earth to keep your judgement clear.
What really has been tough is, right now, there's some good sales in town on lumber and such. doh!

Hoop · #6 03/09/07, 05:38 AM

Be 100% certain of exactly what the costs will be to bring the "dirt road" up to something suitable for residential occupancy. This can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Do your research on the easement road. Make certain that if you bring the road up to snuff the farmer can't run his equipment on it during the rainy season and destroy it. Most easement roads do not give EXCLUSIVE use to the adjoining property owner.

IMHO, easement roads can be and generally are nightmares.

Also find out if you have an easement for utilities

ericjeeper · #7 03/09/07, 06:16 AM

In the rainy season. Not like you can til, plant or harvest in muddy conditions.
Do not even bother him with a minor detail. No sense in coming in to this picture as a badguy.. Make friends first.. Maybe he will offer up.. If it was my land with the easement through it and you came crying to me..Well me and you are already off to a start on the wrong foot.