what else would you ask

TexasArtist · #1 03/10/08, 03:27 PM

I'm getting ready to possible house hunt. This is a list of questions I've come up with but what else should I ask?
What are the taxes per year? (land, county, school)

has the house ever flooded? (it has a small creek running through)

What kind of water heater and how old?

How big is the celler?
Any leins on the property?
How far from the 3 nearest towns?
Do other people have acces or can they cross the land?
Who hooked up the solar?
How deep is the well?
Has the well ever gone dry?
When was the last time the stove pie was cleaned or replaced?
Are there any neighbors that might sell to developers?
When was the place last surveyed?
Does anyone have water or minerals right on the land?
Would I cut acrossed anyone else property to get to my land?
Any restrictive covenants on the property?
Where's the nearest dump an dhow far from land?
Any damns or lakes up stream that could cause a problem?
Do I need permits to build or do work on the land?
What kind of wood sealer or protectent is on the outside of the house?

well that's it so far. What can y'al com eup with?

morrowsmowers · #2 03/10/08, 03:46 PM

Since it has water nearby, will the mortgage company require flood insurance? Will the seller allow access to property/structures for an inspector to check them out? If not, take your business elsewhere.

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

ninny · #3 03/10/08, 03:49 PM

Mineral rights? This one is very important to me...

.

naturewoman · #4 03/10/08, 03:50 PM

Find out how the property is zoned and then go to the county planning department and get copies of every ordinance that pertains to your zoning. Read them very carefully and ask questions of the planning dept of anything you feel might be confusing or might restrict your use of the land.

I found out the hard way that my land cannot be improved or built on because I'm too close to a year-round creek. I asked my realtor to get this info for me, because I was out of state, and she failed to ask the right questions. Now I can't build or improve my property within 100' of the creek, and that is the only place on my property that is buildable. My house is 35' from the creek and I can't do anything to it to improve it (like additions, porches, decks, sidewalks, etc. This is very critical info that any land buyer needs to know before closing on a deal.

Covenants are usually found in a city...or special developments. Zoning ordinances affect farm and forest land.

Shawna · #5 03/10/08, 04:26 PM

Some things we had to know for insurance purposes:

How old are gutters?
How old are the pipes (water) in the house?
When was wiring put in house?
How old is roof?

Also, since you're talking wells....our well water was not drinkable at the start. We had to put in a reverse osmosis system to make it drinkable.

Those are things I can think of off the top of my head! Good luck!!

Shawna

goatlady · #6 03/10/08, 06:22 PM

What kind of septic system, how old, WHERE is the tank and leech lines, and when was the last time it was pumped? Kind of roof, age of same and ever leaked? Most ALL of your's and these questions will be ansered by the Sellers Disclosure form - a BIG 2-page document filled in by the seller covering the condition of the property, heating/cooling systems, plumbing, etc. For properties you are interested in ask the realtor for the Seller's Disclosure, it's a law there MUST be one in the listing file, if there is not one walk away from that property. The Information forms most likely will give you the taxes, all room sizes, school districts, etc. plus everything included in the sale's price. But concerning property taxes, be prepared for them to increase significantly on whatever YOU buy, cause most places don't keep up with appraisals for taxes until the new deed is recorded at the new selling price! You can also request copies of the past 12 months utility costs so you know what to expect.

ozarkcat · #7 03/10/08, 06:30 PM

I second the septic system question! Also are there any limitations on the property (i.e., livestock are okay or not, etc) Have there been any problems with the soil - i.e., contamination, environmental issues including erosion - Is any of it CRP land (conservation payments)

theuniquey · #8 03/10/08, 07:36 PM

Taste the water! When I bought my place I asked all the well questions and checked the water pressure but didn't think to taste it. It's horrible! Stains real bad real fast, if you don't keep after it, the stain gets layered and dark, dark brown. I know its killing my water heater too.

GrannyG · #9 03/10/08, 07:46 PM

Check for termites.....

TC · #10 03/10/08, 08:25 PM

Ask about deed restrictions. Even if present owner has 200 head of livestock, ask for proof that you can legally. He might have been grandfathered in. He may be the sherriff's son. He might just pay the fines.

If you are buying land of any kind, and right now you have no intention of keeping animals, you might change your mind in the future.

Don't just accept "Sure you can keep animals" Find out any and all restrictions. Can you have hens AND a rooster? Can you keep a horse and/or cattle? Are pigs allowed? May you breed, or only those animals for
4H and / or personal freezer animals allowed? How many acres must you have?

It took us forever, to find a place that not only allowed any animals, but as many as we wanted and for any legal reason including keeping breeding stock.

greenmulberry · #11 03/10/08, 08:41 PM

Well, I never ask the seller anything much because I don't know if they even know the answer, or they might lie about it. People will say or do anything to sell property.

Between me and my real estate agent I found all the deed restrictions, nearby zoning, got the well tested, septic inspected. Yadda yadda.

Certainly do a google search on the address. That's how I found out all the ag zoned land around it was about to be zoned residential, and a development would be put in behind the place I was looking at! The sellers had no idea because they had moved out to another city a year before.

Rocky Fields · #12 03/10/08, 08:42 PM

Hey.

Find out when the septic was last emptied, where the drainfield lays,where the pumpout cover is. If it has a holding tank, ask how many gallons it is. If the septic was worked on or installed while they lived there, get the septic guys name and phone him to ask tech questions.

Find out how deep the well is, what is the flow in gallons, when it was drilled, what size pipe, and when was the pump last replaced. If they had the well drilled while they lived there, get the driller's name and phone him with tech questions.

Turn on all the faucets to see what kind of pressure you get out of them and watch how fast the water drains or backs up.

Check to see if the house has fuses or circuitbreakers and how many amps for the control panel.

Find out how old the heating system is and the capacity.

Find out how old the roof is and go in the attic with a flashlight to look for leaks. Outside, look for raised, cracked, or deteriorating shingles.

Find out how old the hot water tank is and look for a label to check age and look for leaks from tank.

RF

Rocky Fields · #13 03/10/08, 08:47 PM

PS: You can usually hire a home inspector for $200 or so. You could do this as part of your conditions to buy if you get serious. Take a digital camera and photograph things, so you can review the photos later at home. A pic is worth a thousand words...

Rocky Fields · #14 03/10/08, 08:49 PM

another PS: Check out the neighbors, so you don't get stung.

Danaus29 · #15 03/11/08, 05:53 AM

Home inspectors aren't worth a piddle in the wind. The one that certified our home (and LIED on every page of his report) failed to notice 3 broken windows, couldn't tell what type of material the incoming water lines were (just had to look up while in the basement) and didn't notice the stream of water running across the basement floor (it was inspected during a heavy rain). Also failed to see the termite tunnels running up the crawl space wall and didn't hear the carpenter ants chewing away on the east wall. Also he couldn't find the electrical panel to say if it had breakers or fuses (breakers good, means updated electric). Get a blank copy of a home inspection report and check those things yourself. Look at the plumbing, check the house during a heavy rain, check the flood plain, etc. Most can be researched via the internet now. Flood plain maps are available through county auditor websites, along with right-of-way and utility lines or poles. Ours even has topographical map details.

M.Plessner · #16 03/11/08, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturewoman

Find out how the property is zoned and then go to the county planning department and get copies of every ordinance that pertains to your zoning. Read them very carefully and ask questions of the planning dept of anything you feel might be confusing or might restrict your use of the land.

You might want to check the area around you as well. Couple of years ago a dentist from the city wanted to build a U-Store-It unit about 2 miles away. This would have ruined our front porch view and the lights would have been visible as well.

nikko · #17 03/11/08, 06:54 AM

a good rule of thumb on figuring what your new taxes are gonna be. taxes are based on a percentage. lets say the towns taxes are based on 3%.(common figure here, you can find yours there.) then multiply that 3% by the selling price. 3% x 200,000.00= 6,000.00
that end figure could very well be your new taxes or close. happens here all the time. taxes listed on sellers listing hasnt been re-appraised for years so they are paying 2,000.00. you buy and it gets re-appraised at 100% of selling price.(must be worth it cause you paid it....actually had a tax guy tell me that!) and your taxes you thought were gonna be around 2,000.00 now jump to 6,000.00. happens here everyday.

Wolf mom · #18 03/11/08, 12:01 PM

Get a seasoned realtor that deals in rural property. They can do all the leg work for zoning, etc. and should know what needs to be asked & done.

Put everything in writing.

In the contract have the sale contingent upon the septic pumped & certified, a full home inspection done and acceptable to you. (have the company liable for errors) A clean title search (should be done by the title company anyway). The well water tested & potable. Clear access to your land if over easments. Termite inspection & certified clear. Land surveyed and staked, if not already done. (and not just staked by a little one X 1/4 stake with a orange string that can be moved)

Doesn't matter if there are liens - they'll be paid off at closing.
Ask and get in writing from your realtor what comparable homes/land have sold for in the area you are looking. You will get a good idea of what the one you want is worth.

Just remember, if you are not buying new, you will have to make a decision as to what is accetable to you. You may have to replace a furnace, etc. down the road. Everything is a trade off. Otherwise, buy land & build your own.

quietstar · #19 03/11/08, 01:01 PM

If you are in Texas as your name indicates, state law requires all Sellers to furnish serious lookers with a two page Seller's disclosure which is a good beginning place. Good home inspectors can be found and should be willing to have you looking over their shoulder, asking questions.

Use the special provisions of a contract offer to cover major concerns. Be aware that this agreement can legally "live" beyond a closing. Ask lots of questions of the Sellers, in writing, and request the response also be in writing. Get a copy of everything!

Get the property tax ID no. and research facts and history. In Texas, most CADs are online thru either True Automation or Texas County Data sites. Don't expect all Texas counties to have a lot of agency regulations and managment of citizen's private business, certainly not like those poor, long dominated people in the NE and West Coast that assume freedoms have been lost everywhere else as well...Glen

TexasArtist · #20 03/11/08, 01:48 PM

First off I would like to thank everyone for adding to the mix of questions I should be asking.
To clear up a few things I've copied the listing info thing so you folks can read what is there. I should have thought to do then when starting....sorry

Also I'm not staying in texas the place is located in arkansas but here's the rest of the info. for ya

One of the main things I plan on doing if this is the right property, I want to improve on the solar and maybe get rid of those storage tanks. At the prices today I don't see every being able to afford to fill everything up.

This homestead was built for self-sufficiency and privacy. You enter the property from a state highway and travel 1.5 miles by county gravel road to dead-end at the property’s private gated entrance. The rolling 84 acres has beautiful views and a nice little creek valley where the home is located. The property borders the clear, year-round creek for over 3/8 of a mile and has sandy loam soil along the creek bank for a great garden or other crops. The home is a 4 bedroom with 2 upstairs and a master bedroom on the first level, there’s also a bedroom and bath in the basement. Home has a total of 3 baths. The exterior is low maintenance western cedar and the interior has hardwood oak flooring throughout. The walls are tongue and groove pine and the ceiling is knotty pine and oak. The home has a covered front porch across the entire front and a screened in porch on the side, which is used for a canning kitchen complete with 2 stoves, refrigerator and freezer. Near the home is a 24x60 metal barn with a concrete floor that is great for all kinds of storage. Located down by the creek is a small 100 year plus old hand hewn log barn. The home has a good drilled well, which is powered entirely by solar panels and a solar pump. There is a 26 horse power diesel generator that will charge a bank of 24 batteries that will run the whole house. These batteries can be charged with the generator or with electricity supplied by Electric Coop. or you can just use the electricity. The basement has a cellar that is perfect for food storage. Also, includes hunting cabin, older travel trailer, diesel generator, two 500 gallon fuel tanks, one 1000 gallon propane tank, 3 refrigerators, 3 propane cook stoves and washer/dryer.